How to switch between branches in GitHub?

 
Step 1: Install and Configure Git
 

Before you can switch branches, make sure Git is installed and configured on your machine.

• Check if Git is installed
• Set your username and email for commits

git --version
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "[email protected]"

 
Step 2: Clone the Remote Repository
 

If you don’t have the repository locally, clone it from GitHub:

• Use the repository’s HTTPS or SSH URL
• Enter the command in your terminal

git clone https://github.com/username/repository.git
cd repository

 
Step 3: View Your Current Branch
 

Check which branch you’re on right now:

• This command highlights the active branch with an asterisk (\*)

git branch

 
Step 4: List All Local and Remote Branches
 

See every branch available locally and on the remote:

• -a stands for “all”

git branch -a

 
Step 5: Switch to an Existing Local Branch
 

Use either git switch (newer) or git checkout (older).

• Replace branch-name with the branch you want

# Using the newer command
git switch branch-name

# Or using the classic command
git checkout branch-name

 
Step 6: Create and Switch to a New Branch
 

If the branch doesn’t exist yet, create it and switch in one step:

• -c creates a branch with git switch
• -b creates a branch with git checkout

# New switch syntax
git switch -c new-branch-name

# Classic checkout syntax
git checkout -b new-branch-name

 
Step 7: Push the New Branch to GitHub
 

After creating a branch, push it to the remote so others can see it:

• -u origin sets the upstream tracking

git push -u origin new-branch-name

 
Step 8: Confirm the Switch on GitHub Web
 

Go to GitHub.com, navigate to your repository, click the “Branch” dropdown, and select your branch to confirm you’ve switched correctly.