Switching Branches

Move between branches using git checkout or git switch.

Checkout vs Switch

Git offers two commands for switching branches:

Command	Purpose
git checkout	Traditional, multi-purpose
git switch	Newer, branch-focused

Switching Branches

Basic Switching

Using checkout

git checkout feature

Using switch (recommended)

git switch feature

Create and Switch

Using checkout

git checkout -b new-feature

Using switch

git switch -c new-feature

What Happens When You Switch

1. Git updates HEAD to point to new branch
2. Updates working directory to match branch
3. Updates staging area

Switching with Uncommitted Changes

If you have uncommitted changes:

• Git may prevent switching (if conflicts would occur)
• Or carry changes to the new branch

Options:

# Stash changes first
git stash
git checkout other-branch
git stash pop

# Or commit first
git commit -m "WIP"
git checkout other-branch

Detached HEAD State

Checking out a commit (not a branch) creates "detached HEAD":

git checkout abc1234  # Detached HEAD

In this state:

• You can look around
• Making commits creates orphaned commits
• Create a branch to save work: git checkout -b new-branch

Exercise: Switch Branches

Create a branch called develop and switch to it: