All commands

git switch

The modern, focused way to change branches.

git switch
Where this fits in the command map

What it does

git switch (Git 2.23+) is the same HEAD-moving mechanism as git checkout, stripped of the file-restoring half. It only changes which branch you're on — no accidental intent mixing, no hidden file-revert foot-guns.

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git switch only moves HEAD between branches — nothing else

Watch it — press play

A narrated, step-by-step walkthrough that shows how to do it — not just theory. It adapts to the learner mode you picked in the top bar.

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Step 1

A focused checkout

SWITCH is checkout's branch-only half. One job: move HEAD between branches.

git switch feature
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Under the hood

1

Purely a HEAD + worktree operation

Like checkout, switch rewrites .git/HEAD and synchronizes the working tree. The difference is conceptual: the command refuses to guess about files, keeping one job per command.

2

-c creates, then switches

`git switch -c feat` is two steps under the hood: `git branch feat` (write the ref file) followed by switching HEAD to it. Identical to checkout -b, but scoped and predictable.

Aliases the pros type

Memorize the git switch concept, then let one of these shortcuts make it instant. Aliases are real git config keys — add one with:

git config --global alias.st # → git switch
AliasWhy people use it
g sw

The oh-my-zsh default.

g swc

Create a branch and jump onto it.

g sw -

Flip back to the last branch you were on.

Command anatomy

git switch <branch>
-c <name>

Create the branch, then switch to it.

-

Switch to the previously checked-out branch (toggle).

-f

Discard local changes and switch anyway.

-t <remote/branch>

Create a local branch that tracks the given remote one.

When to reach for it

Your daily branch-jumping — cleaner intent than checkout.

Quickly bouncing between two branches with `git switch -`.

Onboarding: newcomers learn switch + restore, never the legacy checkout split.

Pro tip

`git switch -` pairs beautifully with stashing: save work on branch A, flip to branch B with `g sw -`, and flip back anytime. HEAD toggling is instant — it's just rewriting one text file plus restoring blobs.

Go deeper with

git checkout

Move HEAD to another branch and rebuild your working tree.

git branch

Create, list and rename refs that point at commits.