Level 65
What do you mean by change a Github branch? Switch to a new/different branch and pull that?
Sep 9, 2014
14
Level 2
Change a github branch for a site already setup with Forge
The only way I've been able to change the branch used for deployment in Forge is to remove the repository and add it again. Would be helpful if there was an easier way to do it.
Level 2
@bashy - yes. I would like Forge to pull from a new/different branch.
Level 65
Not sure if it uses current branch via the directory but, SSH in and switch branch then update?
Level 7
You can do this now, in the site settings just scroll down a bit:
Hope this helps someone!
2 likes
Level 7
@djave_co That caught me, it doesn't actually do anything. Unless this feature is newer than my sites.
Forge provisions the sites using a single branch shallow commit
git clone --depth 50 --single-branch -b staging [email protected]:adampatterson/repo repo
Level 2
@djave_co Anyone else landing here, as of 2025 - it's there. Midway down the Deployments page.
2 likes
Level 21
@sheriffderek yes!
Level 7
If you need to change branches on a staging or test server you'll need to adjust the .git/config file.
When Forge provisions a site it's cloned by using a single branch shallow clone using --single-branch which will prevent you from checking out another branch.
git clone --depth 50 --single-branch -b staging [email protected]:adampatterson/repo repo
git branch -r
origin/staging
This locks the repo to the staging branch.
[remote "origin"]
url = [email protected]:adampatterson/repo
fetch = +refs/heads/staging:refs/remotes/origin/staging
Run git config remote.origin.fetch refs/heads/*:refs/remotes/origin/* to allow multiple branches.
Then run git fetch to update the local branches.
[remote "origin"]
url = [email protected]:adampatterson/maker
fetch = refs/heads/*:refs/remotes/origin/*
git branch -r
origin/dev
origin/main
origin/staging
git fetch origin then git switch main
Locking the repo git config remote.origin.fetch refs/heads/main:refs/remotes/origin/main
10 likes
Level 2
@adampatterson Thx this exactly what I needed for my staging server
1 like
Level 7
@cosminbosutar Awesome!
I was getting really frustrated when I'd change the branch in Forge and then it was stuck. It was only when I looked at the provision script did I notice how it was checked out.
1 like
Level 18
@adampatterson You lovely person! Thank you for this!
1 like
Level 7
This saved my life. Thank you very much.
1 like
Level 1
that' exactly the solution I needed, thanks.
Level 4
i wish the branch selector in the interface would do something like this...
git config --add remote.origin.fetch +refs/heads/BRANCH_NAME:refs/remotes/origin/BRANCH_NAME
git fetch origin BRANCH_NAME
git checkout -b BRANCH_NAME origin/BRANCH_NAME
^ that seems to work though, if anyone is interested
3 likes
Please or to participate in this conversation.