How to List Branches in Git?

Branches in Git are a core feature that allows developers to work on different features, bug fixes, or experiments simultaneously without impacting the main codebase. Managing branches effectively requires knowing how to list them, whether locally or remotely.

This blog explains how to list branches in Git, including commands and tips to streamline your workflow.

Understanding Git Branches

What Are Git Branches?

Git branches are pointers to specific commits in a repository’s history. By default, Git initializes a repository with a single branch, typically called main or master. New branches allow developers to work on separate tasks or features independently.

Types of Branches

1. Local Branches: Branches that exist only on your local machine.
2. Remote Branches: Branches that exist on a remote repository, like GitHub or GitLab.

---

Listing Branches in Git

1. List Local Branches

To view all branches on your local machine:

git branch

Example Output:

* main
  feature-1
  bugfix-123

• The * indicates the branch you are currently on.

---

2. List Remote Branches

To view all branches available in the remote repository:

git branch -r

Example Output:

  origin/main
  origin/feature-1
  origin/bugfix-123

---

3. List All Branches (Local and Remote)

To list both local and remote branches together:

git branch -a

Example Output:

* main
  feature-1
  remotes/origin/main
  remotes/origin/feature-1
  remotes/origin/bugfix-123

---

Understanding the Output

Local Branches

Local branches are shown without any prefixes.

Remote Branches

Remote branches are prefixed with remotes/ followed by the remote name (e.g., origin) and branch name.

---

Practical Examples

Example 1: Identify the Current Branch

The current branch is marked with an asterisk (*) in the output of git branch.

Example 2: Check for Stale Remote Branches

Sometimes remote branches listed with git branch -r may no longer exist. Use the following to clean up stale branches:

git remote prune origin

Example 3: Filter Branch Names

Use the grep command to filter branches:

git branch | grep feature

This filters and displays only branch names containing “feature.”

---

Advanced Techniques

Viewing Last Commit on Each Branch

To see the latest commit message and author for each branch:

git branch -v

Example Output:

* main      12a4d5e Update README
  feature-1 56b8a7c Add new feature
  bugfix-123 ab12345 Fix login bug

Viewing Merged Branches

To list branches that have been merged into the current branch:

git branch --merged

Viewing Unmerged Branches

To list branches that have not been merged into the current branch:

git branch --no-merged

---

Best Practices for Managing Branches

1. Use Descriptive Names: Name branches clearly to reflect their purpose, such as feature-login or bugfix-issue123.
2. Delete Merged Branches: Clean up branches after merging to avoid clutter: git branch -d branch-name
3. Sync Regularly: Fetch updates from the remote repository to keep your local branch list up to date: git fetch
4. Work in Separate Branches: Always work on separate branches for new features or fixes to keep the main branch stable.

---

Conclusion

Listing branches in Git is a simple yet powerful task that helps you stay organized and informed about your repository’s state. By using commands like git branch, git branch -r, and git branch -a, you can effectively manage both local and remote branches.

Adopting best practices for branch management ensures a clean and collaborative development workflow.