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This version of GitHub Enterprise was discontinued on 2023-01-18. No patch releases will be made, even for critical security issues. For better performance, improved security, and new features, upgrade to the latest version of GitHub Enterprise. For help with the upgrade, contact GitHub Enterprise support.

Managing the default branch name for repositories in your organization

You can set the default branch name for repositories that members create in your organization on your GitHub Enterprise Server instance.

Who can use this feature

Organization owners can manage the default branch name for new repositories in the organization.

About management of the default branch name

When a member of your organization creates a new repository in your organization, the repository contains one branch, which is the default branch. You can change the name that GitHub Enterprise Server uses for the default branch in new repositories that members of your organization create. For more information about the default branch, see "About branches."

You can change the default branch for an existing repository. For more information, see "Changing the default branch."

If an enterprise owner has enforced a policy for the default branch name for your enterprise, you cannot set a default branch name for your organization. Instead, you can change the default branch for individual repositories. For more information, see "Enforcing repository management policies in your enterprise" and "Changing the default branch."

Setting the default branch name

  1. In the top right corner of GitHub Enterprise Server, click your profile photo, then click Your organizations. Your organizations in the profile menu

  2. Next to the organization, click Settings. The settings button

  3. In the left sidebar, click Repository defaults. Repository defaults tab

  4. Under "Repository default branch", click Change default branch name now. Override button

  5. Type the default name that you would like to use for new branches. Text box for entering default name

  6. Click Update. Update button

Further reading