git: reset default branch
• 132 words • 1 min • updated
Problem statement: Given an existing repository whose default branch is
master, make it become “fresh” (=fully reset it), as if it had just been
created.
shell
# backup the current default branch, just in case
git branch backup-old-master
git push origin backup-old-master
# create an orphan branch
git checkout --orphan temp
# remove everything – use one or some of the following, accordingly
git reset --hard
rm {all files}
git rm {all files}
# create an initial commit – c.f. https://perrotta.dev/2025/02/git-blank-commit/
git blank
# delete the old default branch
git branch -D master
# rename temp to master, pick one of the following
git rb master # this is my alias for "rename branch"
git branch -m master # the native way
# override the current master
git push --force origin master∎
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