Step-by-Step Guide: How to Change Default Branch in Github

Step 1

Navigate to your repository and click on the 'Settings' tab at the top of the repository.

Step 2

Under the 'Default branch' section, click on the button that allows you to switch to another branch.

Step 3

Click 'Update' to confirm the change.

Step 4

Confirm the action by clicking the 'I understand, update the default branch'.

Pro Tips for Changing Default Branch in GitHub

1. Log In to GitHub
   Go to github.com and log into your account.

2. Navigate to Your Repository
   Open the repository where you want to change the default branch.

3. Click on the Settings Tab
   In the top menu of your repo, click “Settings.” If you don’t see it, you may not have admin access.

4. Go to the “Branches” Section
   In the left-hand sidebar, click on “Branches” under the “Code and automation” category.

5. Change the Default Branch
   Under the “Default branch” section, click the pencil (edit) icon beside the current default branch.

6. Select a New Branch
   Choose the branch you want to set as the new default from the dropdown menu.

7. Confirm the Change
   After selecting the new branch, click “Update” and confirm your choice in the pop-up dialog.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

1. Branch Not Created Yet
   You can only set a branch as default if it already exists. Create the new branch first if needed.

2. Permission Issues
   Only users with admin rights to the repository can change the default branch.

3. Pull Requests and Workflows May Break
   Changing the default branch can affect open pull requests or CI/CD pipelines. Update those paths as needed.

4. Accidentally Deleting the Old Default Branch
   Don’t delete the old default branch until you've updated all references in other tools or collaborators' clones.

5. Confusion for Collaborators
   Let your team know about the change to avoid miscommunication or pushing to the wrong branch.

Common FAQs About Changing Default Branch in GitHub

1. How do I change the default branch in GitHub?
   Go to your repo’s Settings > Branches, click the edit icon, choose a new branch, and confirm.

2. Can I change the default branch back later?
   Yes, you can switch it again at any time using the same method.

3. Will changing the default branch delete the old one?
   No, the old branch will still exist unless you manually delete it.

4. Will existing pull requests still work?
   Pull requests will not automatically move. You may need to rebase or retarget them manually.

5. Can I do this from the GitHub mobile app?
   No, changing the default branch is only available on the GitHub web interface.

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