Glossary · Source control and deployment
Branch
A parallel line of repository work used to develop or review changes without immediately altering the main version.
Definition
A Git branch lets a change develop separately from the primary line. A branch can be reviewed, tested, previewed, merged, or discarded. Protected branches and review rules can reduce accidental production changes.
Why it matters
Branches support private review and controlled releases instead of editing the live site directly.
Common misunderstanding
A branch is not automatically a backup or a live preview; those behaviors depend on the repository and deployment configuration.
Related terms
Related system family: Hosting & Release
Sources
- About repositories (opens in a new tab) · GitHub Docs
- Best practices for repositories (opens in a new tab) · GitHub Docs
Last reviewed July 16, 2026