When working with Git, branches let you manage different lines of development in your project. Git allows you to create, switch, merge, and delete branches. If you want to see a list of all local branches, Git gives you simple and useful commands to do that. In this guide, you'll learn how to view local branches, understand what each output means, and see common use cases. What Are Local Branches in Git? Local branches exist only on your computer. These are branches you create, work on, and update. They are separate from remote branches, which live on remote repositories like GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket. For example, if you create a new feature branch: git checkout -b feature-login git checkout -b feature-login You're creating a local branch called feature-login. feature-login Show All Local Branches To list all local branches in your Git project, use: git branch git branch Example Output: main main feature-login bugfix-header feature-login bugfix-header In this output: The * shows your current branch.
Other branches are listed below it. The * shows your current branch. * Other branches are listed below it. Show More Details About Local Branches If you want more details like commit hashes and messages, use: git branch -v git branch -v Example Output: feature-login  a13f21c  Fix login redirect main           b4cd21f  Update README bugfix-header  c1a5d2b  Fix header height feature-login  a13f21c  Fix login redirect main           b4cd21f  Update README bugfix-header  c1a5d2b  Fix header height feature-login  a13f21c  Fix login redirect main           b4cd21f  Update README bugfix-header  c1a5d2b  Fix header height This gives: Branch name
Last commit hash
Commit message Branch name Last commit hash Commit message List Local and Remote Branches Together To show both local and remote branches: show both local and remote branches git branch -a git branch -a This lists: Local branches (plain names)
Remote branches (with remotes/ prefix) Local branches (plain names) Remote branches (with remotes/ prefix) remotes/ Example: main feature-login remotes/origin/main remotes/origin/feature-login main feature-login remotes/origin/main remotes/origin/feature-login Filter Local Branches To search for a branch name: git branch | grep login git branch | grep login This filters local branches containing the word "login". Check Last Commit Date for Local Branches To list each branch with its last commit date: for branch in $(git for-each-ref --format='%(refname:short)' refs/heads/); do echo -e "$(git log -1 --format='%ci' $branch)\t$branch"; done | sort -r for branch in $(git for-each-ref --format='%(refname:short)' refs/heads/); do echo -e "$(git log -1 --format='%ci' $branch)\t$branch"; done | sort -r This sorts branches by latest commit. See Local Branches Merged into Current Branch To see which local branches have been merged: git branch --merged git branch --merged To list local branches not merged yet: git branch --no-merged git branch --no-merged Common Issues Not a Git Repository
If you see an error, check if you're inside a Git project: Not a Git Repository
If you see an error, check if you're inside a Git project: Not a Git Repository Not a Git Repository If you see an error, check if you're inside a Git project: git status git status If it fails, cd into your Git project folder. Remote vs Local Confusion
git branch -a

It shows both local and remote branches. Local ones have no prefix. Remote branches start with remotes/. Remote vs Local Confusion
git branch -a

It shows both local and remote branches. Local ones have no prefix. Remote branches start with remotes/. Remote vs Local Confusion Remote vs Local Confusion git branch -a git branch -a It shows both local and remote branches. Local ones have no prefix. Remote branches start with remotes/. Summary Here’s a quick reference table: Task

Command



List local branches

git branch



Show details

git branch -v



Show all branches

git branch -a



Filter by name

git branch



Show merged branches

git branch --merged



Delete a branch in Git

git branch -d branch-name Task

Command



List local branches

git branch



Show details

git branch -v



Show all branches

git branch -a



Filter by name

git branch



Show merged branches

git branch --merged



Delete a branch in Git

git branch -d branch-name Task

Command Task Task Command Command List local branches

git branch List local branches List local branches git branch git branch git branch Show details

git branch -v Show details Show details git branch -v git branch -v git branch -v Show all branches

git branch -a Show all branches Show all branches git branch -a git branch -a git branch -a Filter by name

git branch Filter by name Filter by name git branch git branch git branch Show merged branches

git branch --merged Show merged branches Show merged branches git branch --merged git branch --merged git branch --merged Delete a branch in Git

git branch -d branch-name Delete a branch in Git Delete a branch in Git Delete a branch in Git git branch -d branch-name git branch -d branch-name git branch -d branch-name Final Thoughts Git makes branch management easy. Knowing how to show local branches helps you keep your project clean and on track. Use these commands to stay organized, remove unused branches, and focus on the code that matters. show local branches

The code in this story is for educational purposes. The readers are solely responsible for whatever they build with it.

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