🧹 Clean Up Time: Deleting a Git Branch (Real DevOps Example)

Here’s a real-world scenario:

You’re working on a project repository located at /usr/src/kodekloudrepos/apps. During testing, a bunch of branches were created. Now it’s time to clean up the mess.

Your task:

Delete a local Git branch named xfusioncorp_apps.

Let’s break it down.

📁 Step 1: Navigate to the Git Repository

Move into the directory that holds your Git repository:

cd /usr/src/kodekloudrepos/apps

Make sure you’re inside a Git repo:

git status

If it shows the current branch and working directory status — you’re good.

🌿 Step 2: List the Local Branches
Let’s make sure the branch xfusioncorp_apps exists:

git branch

You’ll see something like:

* main
  xfusioncorp_apps

The asterisk (*) indicates the current branch.

🚫 Step 3: Delete the Branch
You can’t delete the branch you’re currently on, so first switch to a different one — like main:

git checkout main

Now safely delete the branch:

git branch -d xfusioncorp_apps

This works only if the branch has been fully merged.

If it hasn’t, and you’re sure it’s safe to delete:

git branch -D xfusioncorp_apps

-d = delete safely if merged

-D = force delete, even if not merged

Want to Delete a Remote Branch?
You’re not doing this in the current task, but just for reference:

git push origin --delete xfusioncorp_apps

This removes the branch from the remote repository as well.

✅ Done!
That’s it. You’ve just cleaned up a Git branch the way any good DevOps engineer would. These small tasks add up to a clean, healthy, and manageable Git workflow — especially in active development environments.

🚀 Want more real-world Git and DevOps walkthroughs like this?
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