How to Set Another Branch as the Default Branch in Git- A Comprehensive Guide

How to Make Other Branch as Default in Git

Managing multiple branches in Git can be a challenging task, especially when you want to switch between them frequently. By default, the master branch is often set as the default branch in Git. However, there may be situations where you want to make another branch, such as develop or feature branches, as the default branch. In this article, we will discuss the steps to make other branches as the default branch in Git.

Step 1: Identify the desired branch

Before making any changes, it is essential to identify the branch you want to set as the default. This could be a branch that you frequently use or a branch that is considered the main development branch in your project.

Step 2: Set the default branch in your Git configuration

To set a branch as the default branch, you need to modify the Git configuration. You can do this by running the following command in your terminal or command prompt:

“`
git config –global core.defaultBranch
“`

Replace `` with the name of the branch you want to set as the default. For example, if you want to set the `develop` branch as the default, you would run:

“`
git config –global core.defaultBranch develop
“`

Step 3: Verify the default branch

After setting the default branch, it is crucial to verify that the change has been applied correctly. You can do this by running the following command:

“`
git config –global core.defaultBranch
“`

This command will display the current default branch. If the output matches the branch you set in step 2, then the change has been applied successfully.

Step 4: Update your local repository

To ensure that your local repository reflects the new default branch, you may need to update your local repository by fetching the latest changes from the remote repository. You can do this by running the following commands:

“`
git fetch
git reset –hard origin/
“`

Replace `` with the name of the default branch you set. This will update your local repository to the latest state of the default branch.

Step 5: Test the default branch

Finally, to confirm that the default branch has been set correctly, you can perform a simple test. Try running the following command:

“`
git checkout
“`

If the command switches to the default branch without any errors, then you have successfully made the other branch as the default in Git.

In conclusion, making other branches as the default in Git is a straightforward process that involves modifying the Git configuration and updating your local repository. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily switch between branches and streamline your workflow in Git.