# Clean Git Branches

> Safely remove merged and stale git branches with confirmation.

- Skill: `tools-only/clean-git-branches` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tools-only/clean-git-branches`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tools-only/clean-git-branches/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: tools-only (https://skillmd.com/u/tools-only)
- Updated: 2026-09-29
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tools-only/clean-git-branches

---


# Clean Git Branches

Safely remove merged and stale git branches with confirmation.

## Process

**0. Parse arguments**
If `$ARGUMENTS` provided, treat it as a glob pattern to filter branch candidates to only matching branches (e.g., `feature/*` shows only feature branches). Applied in Step 2 to both merged and stale detection.

**1. Fetch latest state**
```bash
git fetch --all --prune
```
If git fetch fails (no remotes configured), note that remote branch data is unavailable and continue with local analysis only.

**2. Identify candidates**

Find merged branches (apply pattern filter if provided):
```bash
MERGED=$(git branch --merged main | grep -v "^\*\|main\|master\|develop")
[ -n "$ARGUMENTS" ] && MERGED=$(echo "$MERGED" | grep "$ARGUMENTS")
echo "$MERGED"
```

Find stale branches (no commits in 30+ days, apply pattern filter if provided):
```bash
CUTOFF=$(python3 -c "import time; print(int(time.time()) - 30*86400)")
git for-each-ref --sort=-committerdate \
  --format='%(refname:short) %(committerdate:unix) %(committerdate:relative)' \
  refs/heads/ | while read branch ts reldate; do
  [ -n "$ARGUMENTS" ] && [[ "$branch" != $ARGUMENTS ]] && continue
  if (( ts < CUTOFF )); then
    echo "$branch ($reldate)"
  fi
done
```
Unix timestamps are used for accurate threshold comparison — git's relative date strings ("5 weeks ago") would miss branches 35–59 days old if matched by pattern.

**3. Categorize and display**

Present branches in three groups: merged (safe to delete), stale (no recent commits), and protected (never touch). Show branch name and age for stale entries.

```
MERGED BRANCHES (safe to delete):
- feature/old-feature
- fix/completed-fix

STALE BRANCHES (no recent commits):
- experiment/abandoned (3 months ago)
- wip/forgotten (6 months ago)

PROTECTED (never delete):
- main, master, develop
```

If both lists are empty, report "No branches to clean" and stop.

**4. Confirm before deletion**

Use AskUserQuestion:
- "Delete all merged branches?"
- "Delete specific stale branches?" (list options)
- "Skip and keep all?"

**5. Execute deletion**

Local only (safe):
```bash
git branch -d <branch-name>
```

If user explicitly requests remote cleanup:
```bash
git push origin --delete <branch-name>
```

## Safety Rules

- Never delete: main, master, develop, release/*
- Always confirm before any deletion
- Use `-d` not `-D`: `-d` refuses to delete branches with unmerged commits, so git itself enforces the safety check; `-D` bypasses it
- Show what will be deleted before acting
- Remote deletion requires explicit user confirmation; never delete remotes unless the user says so directly

## Output

Summary:
- Branches deleted (local)
- Branches deleted (remote, if requested)
- Branches kept
- Any errors encountered