Branch

You might say

I need to try a different approach, but I don't want to break the version that works now.

Develop an independent line of work without changing the main lineA branch is a movable name pointing to a series of commits. It lets a feature, fix, or experiment proceed separately and later be merged. Create branches from the right starting point and keep their purpose small enough to review.

Know first

Commit

Main versionStay stable

Split here

New featureIndividual modification

git switch -c feature/new-nav

The branch is like an independent version line. You can modify and test on the "new features" line, and the main version will still be in its original stable state.

When to use it

Build a feature separately
Fix a bug without disturbing ongoing work
Try an experiment
Prepare a release or urgent patch

When NOT to use it

Use one long-lived branch for unrelated work
Create it from an outdated or wrong starting point
Keep finished branches forever without a reason
Assume switching branches saves uncommitted changes safely

Anatomy

main

feature/new-nav

HEAD → You are now in feature/new-nav

Default branches usually contain verified changes; whether direct commits are allowed depends on team rules

A new branch is created from a certain commit, and the starting point corresponds to the snapshot at that time

Can be named according to feature/function name for independent development and testing

HEAD points to the currently checked-out branch or commit, and git switch will update its point.

Variants

switch -c

git switch -c feature/new-nav

Create and switch to a new branch from the current commit

switch

git switch main

Switch the working directory to the file version of main

branch

git branch

View local branch list

branch -d

git branch -d feature/new-nav

After confirming that the branch has been merged or is no longer needed

Typical use cases

Feature branch

zsh — my-first-page

$ git switch -c feature/new-nav Switched to a new branch 'feature/new-nav' Create and switch to a new branch from the current commit

Bug-fix branch

my-first-pagePublic

⑂ main ▾

Switch branch

✓ main Default

feature/new-nav

View all branches (2)

Experiment

         class="top-nav">

         Homepage

⑂ feature/new-nav⊘ 0　⚠ 0Ln 3, Col 1

Confirm the current branch displayed in the lower left corner before starting modification

Release branch

your branch

⑂ mainDefaultUpdated 2 hours ago

⑂ feature/new-navUpdated 5 minutes agoNew pull request