The basic idea for git_remote_branch is to trivialize the interaction with remote branches in simple situations.

For now git_remote_branch assumes that the local and remote branches have the same name. Multiple origins are supported.

Another goal of git_remote_branch is to help teach the real underlying git commands. Each operation done on your behalf is displayed at the console.

sudo gem install git_remote_branch

Or if you want the bleeding edge from GitHub You may try

sudo gem install webmat-git_remote_branch --source=http://gems.github.com

But you’re probably better off with

git clone git://github.com/webmat/git_remote_branch.git
rake install

If you have an older version of Rubygems, you may have to manually install the “colored” gem.

sudo gem install colored

Notes:

• parts between brackets are optional

• When ‘origin_server’ is not specified, the name ‘origin’ is assumed.

Available commands (with aliases):

$ grb [-h|help]    #=> Displays help

Create a new local branch as well as a corresponding remote branch from the branch you are currently on. Automatically track the new remote branch (useful for pulling and merging). Switch to the new branch.

$ grb create branch_name [origin_server]

Publish an existing local branch to the remote server. Set up the local branch to track the new remote branch. Switch to the new branch.

$ grb publish branch_name [origin_server]

Delete the remote branch then delete the local branch. The local branch is not deleted if there are pending changes.

$ grb delete branch_name [origin_server]

Track an existing remote branch locally.

$ grb track branch_name [origin_server]

To rename the branch you’re currently on. Rename the remote branch by copying then deleting the old name. Checkout a new local tracking branch with the new name and delete the local branch with the old name.

$ grb rename branch_name [origin_server]

All commands can be prepended by the word ‘explain’. Instead of executing the command, git_remote_branch will simply output the list of commands you need to run to accomplish that goal. Examples:

$ grb explain create
git_remote_branch version 0.2.6

List of operations to do to create a new remote branch and track it locally:

git push origin master:refs/heads/branch_to_create
git fetch origin
git branch --track branch_to_create origin/branch_to_create
git checkout branch_to_create

$ grb explain create my_branch github
git_remote_branch version 0.2.6

List of operations to do to create a new remote branch and track it locally:

git push github master:refs/heads/my_branch
git fetch github
git branch --track my_branch github/my_branch
git checkout my_branch

News: programblings.com/category/git/git_remote_branch/ Bug tracker: git-remote-branch.lighthouseapp.com/projects/19198-git_remote_branch/overview Code: github.com/webmat/git_remote_branch Mailing list: groups.google.com/group/git_remote_branch

git_remote_branch in its current form was inspired by a script created by Carl Mercier and made public on his blog here:

No nonsense GIT, part 1: git-remote-branch blog.carlmercier.com/2008/01/25/no-nonsense-git-part-1-git-remote-branch/

• Mathieu Martin webmat@gmail.com

• Caio Chassot dev@caiochassot.com

• Carl Mercier (Carl: want your email here?)

git_remote_branch is licensed under the MIT License. See the file COPYING for details.