How to Create and Manage Branches in GitKraken

Edited 1 day ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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GitKraken is an intuitive and efficient Git client used by developers and teams to manage repositories. One of its most important features is branch management. In this guide, we will explain how to create and manage branches using GitKraken. This knowledge will help you streamline your workflow, collaborate better with team members, and keep your project history clean and organized.

Understanding branches in Git

Before diving into GitKraken, it's important to understand what branches are in Git. Branches are a central feature in Git. They represent an independent line of development within a project. A branch allows you to work on a new feature, fix a bug, or experiment without affecting the main codebase.

By default, Git starts with a single branch known as main or master branch. When you create a new branch, you essentially create a copy of the project at that time. This copy is separate from the main branch and enables you to make changes without affecting the mainline.

Once you've finished working on a branch, it can be merged back into the main branch. This is the main aspect of parallel development that Git supports, facilitating multiple lines of development.

Setting up GitKraken

Before you can manage branches, you need to install GitKraken. Download it from the official GitKraken website, and follow the installation instructions for your operating system.

After installing GitKraken, you'll need to configure it with your Git repository. If you haven't set up a repository yet, you can create a new repository or clone an existing repository from a remote server like GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket.

Creating a branch in GitKraken

The process of creating a branch in GitKraken is simple and visual, making it appealing to both beginners and experienced users. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Open your repository

Launch GitKraken, and open the repository where you want to create a new branch. The current state and commit history of the repository will be displayed in the interface. Make sure you are on the branch where you want to create your new branch.

Step 2: Access the branch management panel

On the left side of the GitKraken interface, you'll find the Branch button. Clicking on it will open the branch management panel, listing all existing branches and providing options for creating and managing them.

Step 3: Create a new branch

In the branch management panel, there is a New Branch button. Clicking this button will open a dialog where you can enter the name of the new branch you want to create.

Choose a descriptive name that reflects the work you plan to do on this branch. Good naming conventions are a must, especially when you're working as part of a team, as they help to quickly identify the purpose of the branch.

For example, if you are working on adding a login feature, call the branch something like feature/add-login. Enter the name and confirm to create your branch.

Step 4: Check out the new branch

After creation, GitKraken can automatically check out (switch you to) the new branch so you can start working on it immediately. If you don't want to run the actions directly, you can select the newly created branch from the branch list in GitKraken, right-click on it, and choose Checkout.

Making changes to the branch

Once on the new branch, you can start making changes. The process is the same as any other branch in GitKraken. When you have changes you want to save, you need to make a commit.

To make the change, follow these steps:

Phase change

Any changes made will appear in the Unstaged Files section of the Commit panel. Review these files and tick the checkboxes next to the files you want to include in your commit. This process is called staging. You can stage files individually or all at once.

Create a commit message

Write a descriptive commit message explaining what changes you made. A good commit message should be short but informative, providing context for future reference.

End the commitment

After writing your commit message, click the Commit Changes button to save your changes to the repository. This operation records the changes you make in the history of the branch you are working on.

Merging of branches

Once you've finalized changes in a feature branch and fully tested them, you'll probably want to merge them back into the main branch (or another branch) to incorporate your work into the primary codebase.

Merging in GitKraken is made easy thanks to its visual interface that helps avoid common pitfalls often encountered in command line merging. Follow these steps to merge branches:

Switch to target branch

The target branch is the branch you want to merge changes into. Use the branch menu to switch to the target branch, such as main, make sure your working directory is clean (make sure you commit or stash any running changes).

Start the merge process

Once on the target branch, click on the branch icon of the source branch you want to merge. GitKraken has an option like Merge {branch} into {target}. Select this option to initiate the merge process.

Resolve disputes (if any)

Sometimes changes in the source and target branches can conflict. GitKraken provides a graphical interface to resolve these conflicts. Review the differences for each conflicting file and decide how to merge them manually. Once resolved, complete the merge to incorporate the changes from the source branch into the target branch.

Deleting branches

Once the work on a branch is completed and successfully merged into your main branch, it is a good practice to delete the feature branch to keep the repository clean and organized. This step keeps the branch list neat and helps avoid confusion about the state of old branches.

To delete a branch in GitKraken:

Open the branch management panel

As done before, go to the branch management panel. Locate the branch you want to delete.

Delete branch

Right-click on the branch and select the Delete Branch option. GitKraken will ask you to confirm the deletion. Keep in mind that once a branch is deleted, it cannot be easily restored, so make sure the branch is fully merged or is no longer needed.

Working with remote branches

GitKraken provides robust tools for working with remote branches, which is an essential part of collaboration via platforms like GitHub or GitLab. You must understand how to interact with remote branches to effectively push and fetch changes.

Moving local branches to remote branches

Once you've made commits to a branch locally, you'll often need to push those changes to a remote repository so that others can access them. With GitKraken, right-click on the branch you want to push in the Branches side panel and select Push {branch} to origin (or the name of your remote).

Getting changes

Regularly fetching updates from remote repositories is a smart practice to ensure you are working with the latest version of code. This action downloads changes from remote branches without merging them, allowing you to review before applying. GitKraken provides a Fetch button within its Remotes panel for this action.

Pulling changes from remote

If you want to apply changes from a remote branch to your current branch, perform a pull. This combines fetch and merge operations, automatically integrating changes received from the remote source via top-tree merging. Use the interface's pull button while targeting the appropriate branch to initiate this process.

Branch management best practices

Let's explore some best practices for effectively managing branches in GitKraken:

• Use meaningful branch names: Always try to use descriptive and meaningful names for branches. Clear naming conventions improve collaboration and make it easier to track project development.
• Commit frequently with descriptive messages: Make commitments small and incremental with meaningful messages. This practice provides a clear history that makes it easy for you and team members to navigate.
• Keep branches short-lived: Avoid long-lived branches that have many changes that can complicate merging. Try to merge branches back into your mainline as soon as the feature is ready.
• Sync regularly with the remote: Fetch and pull frequently from the remote repository to minimize collisions, and stay up to date with the latest developments from others.
• Review merges carefully: Pay close attention to your merge processes to catch and resolve conflicts efficiently, and ensure the integrity of your master branch isn’t compromised.

These practices increase efficiency, improve team collaboration, and keep the repository organized and clean, ultimately leading to more successful project management.

Conclusion

Branch management in GitKraken is user-friendly and helps organize and collaborate on code efficiently. By following the guidelines in this comprehensive guide, you will be able to create, manage, merge, and delete Git branches with confidence. GitKraken's visual interface simplifies complex Git concepts, allowing you to focus more on development and less on the process. Remember the importance of good branching practices and constantly be reminded of the dynamic networking among your team, working harmoniously on the project.

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