branches

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→ ~ cd github-changelog
→ ~/github-changelog|main git log main
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Compare differences between branches

We've added an enhancement to the repository view for a branch that is different than its upstream branch. Previously we showed the number of commits the branch was ahead or behind the upstream, but there wasn't an easy way to show the differences. Now you can click a link that takes you to a comparison page to see the differences.

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Note: there is a different link for ahead versus behind

  • ahead represents changes your branch has but the upstream branch does not
  • behind represents changes the upstream branch has but your branch does not

Read more about branches.

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Required Deployments

You can now require a successful deployment of a branch before its pull request can be merged. This is made possible by a new branch protection setting titled Require deployments to succeed before merging. To enable the setting, create a new branch protection rule for the target branch. Then, select the environments where deployments must succeed before a pull request can be merged, shown here:

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This will allow you to ensure code is, for example, exercised in a staging or test environment before it's merged to your main branch.

Learn more about protected branches
Learn more about branch protection rules

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Delete a branch with an open pull request

Previously, GitHub's web UI did not allow deleting a branch that was associated with an open pull request. Now you can delete such a branch from the UI. However, doing so will close all open pull requests associated with the branch. Before the branch is deleted, you must confirm that the pull requests may be closed.

Confirm deleting a branch

Read more about working with branches.

Read more about collaborating with pull requests.

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