How to create a new branch on GitHub?

 

Step 1: Navigate to Your Repository on GitHub

 

First, open your web browser and go to https://github.com. Sign in with your GitHub credentials.
Locate the repository where you want to create a new branch:

• Click on your profile icon in the top right corner.
• Select Your repositories from the dropdown menu.
• Click on the name of the repository you wish to work with.

 

Step 2: Open the Branch Dropdown

 

Once you’re on the repository’s main page:

• Look for the branch selector button next to the “Code” tab. It usually shows main or the name of the default branch.
• Click on that button to open a list of existing branches and a search field.

 

Step 3: Create a New Branch from the Web UI

 

Inside the branch dropdown:

• Click on the search field labeled “Find or create a branch…”.
• Type your desired new branch name (for example, feature/add-login).
• When you see Create branch: feature/add-login in grey text, press Enter or click on it.

Your new branch will be created immediately, and GitHub will switch you to that branch.

 

Step 4: Verify Your New Branch

 

After creation:

• The branch selector button should now display your new branch name (feature/add-login).
• Your repository view will reflect the contents of the new branch (initially identical to the source branch).

 

Step 5: Create a Branch Locally Using Git CLI

 

If you prefer using the command line, open your terminal or command prompt and run:

git clone https://github.com/username/repo.git
cd repo
git checkout -b feature/add-login
git push -u origin feature/add-login

• git clone downloads the repository to your machine.
• git checkout -b creates and switches to the new branch locally.
• git push -u origin uploads the branch to GitHub and sets the upstream.

 

Step 6: Confirm Your CLI-Created Branch on GitHub

 

Return to the repository page on GitHub:

• Open the branch selector again.
• Your feature/add-login branch should appear in the list.
• Select it to ensure it was pushed successfully.

Congratulations – you’ve created a new branch on GitHub using both the web interface and the command line!