# Create Branch

Create a git branch following Sentry naming conventions.

- Repository: https://github.com/getsentry/skills (1107 stars)
- Category: Git and review
- License: Apache-2.0
- Last updated: 2026-10-26
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add getsentry/skills --skill create-branch -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add getsentry/skills --skill create-branch -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add getsentry/skills --skill create-branch -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add getsentry/skills --skill create-branch -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add getsentry/skills`

## Description

Create a git branch following Sentry naming conventions. Use when asked to "create a branch", "new branch", "start a branch", "make a branch", "switch to a new branch", or when starting new work on the default branch.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Create Branch

Create a git branch following Sentry naming conventions.
Keep this workflow non-interactive unless the user explicitly asks to choose the name manually.

## Workflow

1. Resolve the work description:
   - If `$ARGUMENTS` is present, use it
   - Otherwise inspect:
     ```bash
     git diff
     git diff --cached
     git status --short
     ```
   - If there are local changes, derive a short description from the diff
   - If there are no local changes, use a generic description like `repo-maintenance`, `tooling-update`, or `work-in-progress`

2. Classify the branch type:

| Type | Use when |
|------|----------|
| `feat` | New functionality |
| `fix` | Broken behavior now works |
| `ref` | Behavior stays the same, structure changes |
| `chore` | Maintenance of existing tooling/config |
| `perf` | Same behavior, faster |
| `style` | Visual or formatting only |
| `docs` | Documentation only |
| `test` | Tests only |
| `ci` | CI/CD config |
| `build` | Build system |
| `meta` | Repo metadata |
| `license` | License changes |

   When unsure: use `feat` for new things, `ref` for restructuring, `chore` for maintenance.

3. Generate `<type>/<short-description>`.
   Keep `<short-description>` kebab-case, ASCII-only, and ideally 3 to 6 words.

4. Choose the base without prompting:
   ```bash
   git branch --show-current
   git remote | grep -qx origin && echo origin || git remote | head -1
   git symbolic-ref refs/remotes/<remote>/HEAD 2>/dev/null | sed 's|refs/remotes/<remote>/||' | tr -d '[:space:]'
   ```
   - If default branch detection fails, fall back to `main`, then `master`, then the current branch
   - If on a detached HEAD, branch from the current commit
   - If already on a non-default branch, branch from the current branch
   - Only switch to the default branch when the user explicitly asks

5. Avoid collisions by appending `-2`, `-3`, and so on until the name is unused locally and remotely.

The rest: https://github.com/getsentry/skills/blob/HEAD/skills/create-branch/SKILL.md