Change HEAD to point to not "master" for one repo

[Raymond Spence]

Hi All,

First I am not an expert in git or gitolite and second I have looked through

this google group for an answer to my question - if it is here I missed it.

My team has complete privileged access to the host with gitolite. We can

edit any file. I simply want to change the default branch for one existing

repository. (The Team would then re-check out that repo with the goal that

our local copies would then be based on the new non-master branch..) 

My understanding is that this is set in the HEAD file for that repo. If I manually

edit that HEAD file to point to the desired non-master branch will this correctly

set what I'm looking to change? If not, as we can execute anything as root, or

any user, what would then be the correct command to make this change? We

do not have symbolic ref enabled. Is that necessary?

Many thanks,

Ray

 

[Sitaram Chamarty]

Hi Raymond

`git symbolic-ref` should be the command you need. Since you
have access to the server you can just run that command directly
in the repo in question. (I think you first create your new
branch using `checkout -b` or similar, then run the
symbolic-ref).

"enabling" symbolic-ref (by editing ~/.gitolite.rc on the
serveer) is only needed if you want to allow this action to be
performed by a *gitolite* user (i.e., a user who does not
normally have shell access on the server)

regards
sitaram

[salg...@gmail.com]

I am thinking that this is not gitolite specific; to that end, you should not limit your search for an answer only within this group....you have the entire internet to find an answer ;-)

https://www.makeuseof.com/how-to-rename-the-default-git-branch-and-why-youd-want-to/