Git: cannot delete local branch

Question

I was trying to track a remote branch with $ git checkout -b --track global/master, and git created a branch named "--track". Now, when I run $ git branch -D --track it won't delete the branch. I believe Git is parsing the last argument, --track, as a git-branch subcommand flag, not a branch name.

I attempted to quote the branch name with $ git branch -D '--track' and escape the leading hyphen with $ git branch -D \--track.

How can I delete the "--track" branch?

I cannot create branch with this name, git complains.

Rafa Paez
– Rafa Paez

2014-03-01 00:50:57 +00:00
Commented Mar 1, 2014 at 0:50 — Rafa Paez
– Rafa Paez, Commented Mar 1, 2014 at 0:50
Have you tried $ git branch -D -- --track ?

Uli Köhler
– Uli Köhler

2014-03-01 00:51:27 +00:00
Commented Mar 1, 2014 at 0:51 — Uli Köhler
– Uli Köhler, Commented Mar 1, 2014 at 0:51

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 12:26:22Z

6

As Uli Köhler already said:

git branch -D -- --track

The command will work to delete your branch.

edited May 23, 2017 at 12:26

CommunityBot

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answered Mar 1, 2014 at 1:01

Langusten Gustel

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1 Comment

sujit tiwari Over a year ago

Didn't work for me git branch -D -- --track error: branch '--track' not found.

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