Quick and simple guide

In collaborative Git workflows, creating a local branch from a remote branch is a routine task. It enables us developers to work on specific features or fixes without impacting the main project repository.

Understanding different methods to achieve this task enhances developers' productivity and collaboration capabilities.

Newbies and seasoned Developers alike, sometimes encounter challenges when trying to create local branches from remote branches on GitLab or GitHub, especially if they're aren't advanced git users.

So we are going to explore some of the easiest and quickest ways to go about creating new local branches from a remote branch on any repository hosting platform.

Once you have the name of the remote branch in question, you may follow any of the methods below:

1. Using git checkout and git pull :

git checkout -b local_branch_name origin/remote_branch_name

• ➢Replace `local_branch_name` with the desired name for the local branch.
• ➢Replace `remote_branch_name` with the name of the remote branch to track.

2. Using git fetch and git checkout separately :

git fetch origin
git checkout -b local_branch_name origin/remote_branch_name

• ➢After fetching updates from the remote repository (`origin`), create a new local branch based on the remote branch.

3. Using git fetch with direct branch mapping :

git fetch origin remote_branch_name:local_branch_name

• ➢This command fetches the specified remote branch (`remote_branch_name`) and directly maps it to a local branch (`local_branch_name`).

Conclusions

Understanding the various methods to create a local branch from a remote branch empowers us developers to adapt their workflows to project requirements efficiently.

While each method achieves the same goal, choosing the appropriate approach depends on individual preferences and project dynamics.

Experiment with these techniques to find the one that aligns best with your development workflow and enhances collaboration within your team.

Additionally, always adhere to Git best practices and version control guidelines to ensure a smooth and organized development process.