git rename a branch (local and remote)

Quick Answer

# Rename the current branch
git branch -m new-name

# Push the new name and set upstream
git push origin -u new-name

# Delete the old remote branch
git push origin --delete old-name

When to use this

You want to rename a branch — for example to follow a new naming convention or fix a typo.

Other causes & fixes

Rename a branch you are not currently on

git branch -m old-name new-name

Update other teammates after renaming

Others with the old branch checked out need to reset their upstream reference:

git fetch origin
git branch -u origin/new-name new-name