Initializing Your Git Repository with a Main Branch

When you first set up your Git repository, you may wonder what happens when you run `git init` followed by creating a main branch. The process is quite straightforward and involves several key steps.

The `git init` command creates a new, totally empty repository on your local computer or laptop. This is also fine, as it allows you to set up your repository with an initial commit or without one at all. When you do this using the GitHub web interface, you can choose to create a repository with an initial commit or one that has no commits at all.

Once you run `git init`, you are on a branch that does not yet exist. You can still change the name of this branch at any time, as long as it identifies a commit hash ID. This puts your new repository in the same situation as a GitHub repository with no branches and no commits (yet).

When you make your initial commit, you can choose to use `git checkout -b` or `git switch -c`, assuming your local Git version is at least 2.23. This allows you to name your branch and create your first commit. The name of the branch that you are on when making this initial commit will likely be the default built-in branch, probably 'master'.

It's essential to keep in mind that the branch name now identifies this first commit, and its name can be changed at any time. If you do nothing at this point, your repository will still have no branches, but you can choose to create a main branch or continue without one.

In summary, initializing your Git repository with a main branch involves running `git init` followed by creating an initial commit using `git checkout -b` or `git switch -c`. This sets up your repository with a named branch and allows you to start working on your project.

Git init with main branch