Switch to a Git branch

Git branches are used to develop features, fix bugs, and experiment with new ideas. You can easily switch between branches using the git checkout command.

Switch to an existing branch

In order to switch to an existing branch, you can use git checkout <branch>. If you're using a newer version of Git, you can also use git switch <branch>.

# Syntax: git checkout <branch>
#     or: git switch <branch>

git checkout patch-1
# Switches to the branch named `patch-1`

git switch patch-1
# Switches to the branch named `patch-1`

Switch to the previous branch

Subsequently, you can switch back to the previous branch using git checkout - or git switch -. Here, - is a shorthand for the previous branch.

# Syntax: git checkout -
#     or: git switch -

git checkout patch-1
git checkout master
git checkout -
# Switches to `patch-1`

git switch patch-1
git switch master
git switch -
# Switches to `patch-1`