🌿 BranchingCommonly used

How to switch branches in Git

Move between branches in your repository.

Switch to a branch
git switch branch-name

Switches to the specified branch. Modern syntax (Git 2.23+).

When to use: Recommended for Git 2.23+.

Switch to a branch (older syntax)
git checkout branch-name

Classic way to switch branches. Works in all Git versions.

Switch to previous branch
git switch -

Switches back to the branch you were on before. The - means "previous".

When to use: Quick way to toggle between two branches.

Switch and discard local changes
git checkout --force branch-name

Switches branch and discards any local uncommitted changes.

Discards all uncommitted changes permanently. Stash first if you want to keep them.

Related Tasks

🌿

Create a branch

git switch -c feature/my-feature
📦

Stash changes

git stash
🌿

List branches

git branch
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