How to Use Git Checkout to Switch Branches and Revisit Commits

The git checkout command is a versatile tool used primarily to switch between different versions of a project, whether it is a branch or a specific commit.

Follow the guide:

1. Switching to a Branch:
   1. To view existing branches:

      git branch

   2. To switch to a branch:

      git checkout <branch-name>

2. Creating a New Branch:
   1. To create and switch to a new branch:

      git checkout -b <new-branch-name>

      This is ideal for working on new features or fixes without affecting the main codebase.

3. Checking Out a Commit (Detached HEAD):
   1. You can also use git checkout to switch to a specific commit:

      git checkout <commit-hash>

      Note: You only need the first 5–7 characters of the commit hash.

   2. This puts you in a “detached HEAD” state—meaning you’re viewing a past snapshot of the project, not on any branch. Changes made here won’t affect your branches unless you create a new branch from this state:

      git switch -c <new-branch-name>

   3. To return to your previous branch:

      git switch –

4. Using Checkout to Deploy Files:
   The checkout command can also help deploy files using a script. Example:

   #!/bin/sh
   git --work-tree=/home/userna5/public_html --git-dir=/home/userna5/production.git checkout -f

   • –work-tree: Target directory for deployment
   • –git-dir: Location of the repository

This pushes your current project files to a specific location, ideal for local or remote deployment.

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For step-by-step instructions, read our article on how to install Git on Windows 10.