How to change current branch in git from master to main

Question

It is common to change main branches from the old pattern master to main. This can be easily done remotely (GitHub offers a graphical way to do it), but... what should be done with working copies?

Answer 1

1. rename your local branch:

   git branch -m master main
   

2. change the tracked branch

   git fetch -p origin
   git branch -u origin/main main
   

3. change the main local branch

   git remote set-head origin -a
   

4. optionally, remove the master branch, local and remotely:

   git branch -D master
   git push origin :master
   

Updates

• added the -p parameter in step 2, thanks to @torek.
• add the optional step to remove the master branch