How to Show All Branches in Git?

Branches are a fundamental feature in Git, enabling teams to work on different aspects of a project simultaneously without interfering with the main codebase. Whether you’re collaborating with a team or managing a solo project, knowing how to view all branches in a Git repository is essential for understanding the current state of your project.

This blog explores various commands and techniques to display branches in Git, providing insights into their purpose and how to use them effectively.

What Are Branches in Git?

In Git, a branch represents an independent line of development. By default, every repository starts with a single branch, usually named main or master. New branches can be created to add features, fix bugs, or experiment with new ideas.

Viewing branches is crucial for:

• Understanding active development areas.
• Switching between branches.
• Cleaning up obsolete branches.

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Displaying All Branches in Git

1. List Local Branches

To see all branches that exist on your local machine:

git branch

This command displays a list of local branches, with the current branch highlighted by an asterisk (*), e.g.:

* main
  feature-branch
  bugfix-123

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2. List Remote Branches

To view branches stored in the remote repository:

git branch -r

This lists all remote branches, such as:

  origin/main
  origin/feature-branch
  origin/bugfix-123

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3. List All Branches (Local and Remote)

To display both local and remote branches in a single command:

git branch -a

This produces output like:

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

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Understanding the Output

Key Indicators

• *: Marks the branch you are currently on.
• remotes/origin/: Indicates branches stored on the remote repository.

Color Coding (in some terminals)

• Green: Active branch.
• Red: Deleted branch on the remote but still exists locally (if applicable).

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Advanced Techniques for Managing Branches

1. View Merged Branches

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

git branch --merged

2. View Unmerged Branches

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

git branch --no-merged

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3. Filter Branches by Pattern

You can filter branches that match a specific pattern using grep:

git branch | grep "feature"

This command displays only branches with the word feature in their names.

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Best Practices for Working with Branches

1. Keep Branches Descriptive: Use meaningful names like feature-login, bugfix-456, or hotfix-crash.
2. Regularly Cleanup Branches: Delete branches that are no longer in use to avoid clutter. git branch -d branch-name # Delete local branch git push origin --delete branch-name # Delete remote branch
3. Stay Updated: Regularly fetch changes to ensure your branch list is current: git fetch

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Troubleshooting Branch-Related Issues

1. Remote Branch Not Visible

If a remote branch isn’t listed, ensure your repository is up-to-date:

git fetch --all

2. Local Branch Missing

Verify you’ve created or checked out the branch locally:

git checkout branch-name

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Conclusion

Managing branches is a cornerstone of efficient Git workflows. By mastering the commands to display branches, you can gain better visibility into your project’s structure, collaborate effectively, and maintain a clean codebase.

Whether you’re working solo or in a team, understanding your branch landscape helps you stay organized and productive.