How to Change the Default Branch in GitLab
Managing repositories in GitLab is a crucial aspect of software development, and one of the most fundamental configurations is setting the default branch. The default branch is the branch that is automatically checked out when a user visits a project’s repository. By default, GitLab sets the default branch to ‘master’. However, depending on your project’s requirements, you may want to change this default branch to ‘main’ or any other branch name. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to change the default branch in GitLab.
Step 1: Navigate to the Project Settings
The first step in changing the default branch in GitLab is to navigate to the project settings. To do this, follow these instructions:
1. Log in to your GitLab account.
2. Go to the project’s overview page by searching for the project’s name in the search bar.
3. Click on the project’s name to open the project’s page.
4. In the left-hand sidebar, click on ‘Settings’.
Step 2: Access the Branch Protection Rules
After accessing the project settings, you need to locate the branch protection rules. These rules determine which branches are protected and the permissions required to push or merge changes to them. To access the branch protection rules:
1. Scroll down the settings page until you find the ‘Branch Protection Rules’ section.
2. Click on the ‘Edit’ button next to the default branch you want to change.
Step 3: Change the Default Branch
Once you are in the branch protection rules section, you can change the default branch by following these steps:
1. In the ‘Branch name’ field, delete the current default branch name (e.g., ‘master’) and type the new branch name (e.g., ‘main’).
2. Save the changes by clicking the ‘Save changes’ button.
Step 4: Verify the Default Branch
After changing the default branch, it is essential to verify that the change has been applied correctly. To do this:
1. Return to the project’s overview page.
2. Click on the project’s name to open the project’s page.
3. Observe the branch list to ensure that the new default branch is displayed.
By following these steps, you can successfully change the default branch in GitLab. This configuration ensures that new users working on your project will have the most up-to-date branch to work with, facilitating a smooth development process.
