GitHow-ToBeginner · 3 min read

How to Switch Branch in Git: Simple Commands Explained

To switch branches in Git, use the git switch <branch-name> command. If you want to create and switch to a new branch, use git switch -c <new-branch-name>.

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Syntax

The basic command to switch branches is git switch <branch-name>. Here, <branch-name> is the name of the branch you want to move to. To create a new branch and switch to it immediately, use git switch -c <new-branch-name>.

git switch: Command to change branches.
<branch-name>: Existing branch to switch to.
-c: Option to create a new branch and switch to it.

bash

git switch <branch-name>
git switch -c <new-branch-name>

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Example

This example shows how to switch from the current branch to an existing branch called feature, and how to create and switch to a new branch called bugfix.

bash

$ git branch
* main
  feature
$ git switch feature
Switched to branch 'feature'
$ git switch -c bugfix
Switched to a new branch 'bugfix'

Output

Switched to branch 'feature' Switched to a new branch 'bugfix'

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Common Pitfalls

One common mistake is trying to switch to a branch that does not exist without using the -c option, which causes an error. Another is having uncommitted changes that conflict with the target branch, which prevents switching.

Always commit or stash your changes before switching branches to avoid conflicts.

bash

$ git switch non-existent-branch
error: pathspec 'non-existent-branch' did not match any branch

# Correct way to create and switch:
git switch -c non-existent-branch

Output

error: pathspec 'non-existent-branch' did not match any branch Switched to a new branch 'non-existent-branch'

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Quick Reference

Command	Description
git switch	Switch to an existing branch
git switch -c	Create and switch to a new branch
git branch	List all branches
git status	Check for uncommitted changes before switching

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Key Takeaways

Use git switch <branch-name> to move between existing branches.

Use git switch -c <new-branch-name> to create and switch to a new branch in one step.

Always commit or stash changes before switching branches to avoid conflicts.

Check existing branches with git branch before switching.

Errors occur if you try to switch to a non-existent branch without -c.