# Create Branch

> Create a git branch following Sentry naming conventions, automatically deriving the branch type and description from current work context.

- Skill: `getsentry/create-branch` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add getsentry/create-branch`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/getsentry/create-branch/raw
- Safety review: CAUTION (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools, Dev Tooling
- Tags: Branch Naming, Git, Git Checkout, Sentry
- Author: Sentry (https://skillmd.com/u/getsentry), verified publisher
- Updated: 2026-07-06
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/getsentry/create-branch

---


# 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.

6. Create the branch:
   ```bash
   git checkout -b <branch-name>
   ```
   Report the final branch name, but do not stop for confirmation.

## References

- [Sentry Branch Naming](https://develop.sentry.dev/sdk/getting-started/standards/code-submission/#branch-naming)