Set Branch Alias with Git

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Version control systems can be difficult to use, especially when you don't use a UI app. Just think about main branch or revision names: svn uses "trunk", git uses "master", and mercurial (hg) uses "tip". I need to switch between mercurial and git frequently, so I end up reversing command and branch names constantly.

To set a git branch alias, execute the following:

# alias -> real branch
git symbolic-ref refs/heads/trunk refs/heads/master

With the alias in place, you can execute commands like:

git checkout trunk
git branch # * master

Not only can you create git aliases for commands, but you can create aliases for branches!

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Discussion

  1. Michael

    Any idea how to do this in a Bitbucket repository? Can I push this symbolic refs somehow?

Wrap your code in <pre class="{language}"></pre> tags, link to a GitHub gist, JSFiddle fiddle, or CodePen pen to embed!