How to See Deleted Branches in GitHub
In the fast-paced world of software development, branches are a fundamental part of the workflow. They allow developers to create separate lines of development, experiment with new features, and manage different versions of a project. However, there may come a time when a branch needs to be deleted, either due to a merge or a mistake. If you’re looking to see deleted branches in GitHub, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you out.
Step 1: Access the Repository
First, you need to access the repository where the deleted branch was located. You can do this by navigating to the GitHub website and clicking on the repository you want to explore. Once you’re in the repository, you’ll see a list of branches on the right-hand side.
Step 2: Use the GitHub API
If you can’t find the deleted branch in the list of branches, you can use the GitHub API to search for it. To do this, visit the GitHub API documentation and look for the “Branches” endpoint. You’ll need to provide the repository owner and name in the URL, like so: `https://api.github.com/repos/owner/repository/branches`.
Step 3: Filter the Results
When you make a request to the GitHub API, you’ll receive a list of all branches in the repository, including the deleted ones. To filter out the deleted branches, you can use the `protected` parameter and set it to `true`. This will return only the branches that are protected, which typically includes deleted branches.
Step 4: Analyze the Response
Once you receive the response from the GitHub API, you’ll see a list of branches, including their names, commit SHA, and other details. Look for the deleted branch by its name and commit SHA. If you find it, you can use the commit SHA to view the branch’s history or restore it if necessary.
Step 5: Restore the Deleted Branch (Optional)
If you need to restore the deleted branch, you can use the commit SHA to create a new branch from the commit. To do this, navigate to the repository on GitHub and click on the “Branches” tab. Then, click on the “New branch” button and enter the commit SHA as the branch name. This will create a new branch with the same content as the deleted branch.
Conclusion
In conclusion, seeing deleted branches in GitHub can be a bit challenging, but with the right approach, you can find and restore them if needed. By using the GitHub API and filtering the results, you can easily locate deleted branches and take the necessary steps to recover them. Just remember to be cautious when restoring deleted branches, as it may affect the project’s history and other branches.
