Branches and tags
The branches and tags views list the named references in a repository. The branches view shows each branch, how far it has moved ahead of or behind the default branch, and lets you start a merge or delete a branch. The tags view lists the release points marked in the history. Both views let you open a reference to browse its files.
Where to find it
- URL: branches are at
gitvetrix.com/<owner>/<repo>/branchesand tags are atgitvetrix.com/<owner>/<repo>/tags. - Navigation: open a repository and use the summary bar on its home page: select Branches or Tags. The branches view has a View tags link and the tags view has a View branches link, so you can move between the two.
Browse branches
- Open Branches for the repository.
- Read the list. The count beside the Branches heading tells you how many there are. Each branch shows:
- The branch name, which links to that branch's files.
- A Default badge on the repository's default branch.
- A Protected badge on a branch that has protection rules.
- The last commit's message, short commit ID, author, and how long ago it was made.
- A status of how far the branch is ahead of or behind the default branch, or Up to date when it matches. The default branch shows no status.
- Select a branch name to browse its files.
Sort the list by selecting a column header — Branch, Last commit, or the Ahead and Behind controls. Selecting the same header again reverses the order, and a third time clears the sort. When there are more than 25 branches, use the pager at the bottom to move between pages.
A repository with no branches shows No branches.
Start a merge from a branch
If you have write access to the repository, each branch other than the default shows an Open merge link.
- Find the branch you want to merge.
- Select Open merge. The new merge request form opens with that branch pre-filled as the source.
Delete a branch
Deleting is available only if you have write access, and never for the default branch.
- Find the branch and select its delete control (the trash icon).
- In the Delete branch dialog, type the branch name into the confirmation field. The confirm button stays disabled until the name matches exactly.
- Select Delete branch to remove the branch. A message confirms the branch was deleted.
Deleting a branch removes the branch reference on the server. Any commits reachable only from that branch are no longer discoverable through the site.
Browse tags
- Open Tags for the repository.
- Read the list. The count beside the Tags heading tells you how many there are. Each tag shows:
- The tag name, which links to that tag's files.
- An Annotated badge on an annotated tag, with the first line of its message below the name.
- The Commit short ID and, for an annotated tag, the tagger's name.
- The Date the tag was made.
- Select a tag name to browse the files at that tag.
When there are more than 25 tags, use the pager at the bottom to move between pages. A repository with no tags shows No tags.
Delete a tag
Deleting is available only if you have write access.
- Find the tag and select its delete control (the trash icon).
- In the Delete tag dialog, type the tag name into the confirmation field. The confirm button stays disabled until the name matches exactly.
- Select Delete tag to remove the tag. A message confirms the tag was deleted.
Deleting a tag removes the tag reference only. The commit it pointed to is not affected and stays reachable from any branch that contains it.
Related pages
- Commits and the commit graph — read the commit history and the branch graph.
- Compare changes — pick two refs and read the diff between them.