Edit

Create a Git branch in Visual Studio

  • Article

Applies to: yesVisual Studio noVisual Studio for Mac noVisual Studio Code

It's easy to create a new branch in Visual Studio; all you have to do is base it off an existing branch.

Here's how.

  1. To start, make sure you've got a previously created or cloned repo open.

  2. From the Git menu, select New Branch.

    Screenshot of the New Branch option in the Git menu.

  3. In the Create a new branch dialog box, enter a branch name.

    Tip

    For branch naming details, see Special characters in branch and tag names.

    Screenshot of the Create a New Branch dialog box.

  4. In the Based on section, use the drop-down list to choose whether you want to base your new branch off an existing local branch or a remote branch.

  5. The Checkout branch checkbox, which is on by default, automatically switches to the newly created branch. Toggle this option if you want to remain in the current branch.

There you have it; you've created a new branch.

Tip

The equivalent command for this action is git checkout -b <new-branch> <existing-branch>.

Note

For more information about the latest updates that improve branch switching, see the Visual Studio 2022 Performance Enhancements: Git Branch Switching blog post.

Next steps

To continue your journey, visit the Make a commit page. And to learn more about how to manage branches in Visual Studio, see Merge and rebase branches.