Introduction
Hi Folks!
I am going to show how to display current active git branch on the linux terminal.
Let’s be honest – we’ve all been there. You’re deep into coding, juggling multiple Git branches, and suddenly realize you have been working on the wrong branch for the last hour. Ouch.
What if your terminal could always tell you which branch you’re on?
No more typing git branch every few minutes or making accidental commits to the wrong branch.
Today, I’ll show you a neat trick to add your Git branch name right to your terminal prompt.
It’s a game-changer for your daily workflow!
Prerequisites
- Linux operating system
- Git installed on your system
- Basic familiarity with terminal commands
- Text editor (VS Code, Nano, or Vim)
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Open the Bash Configuration File
First, we need to modify the .bashrc file, which controls your bash shell configuration:
nano ~/.bashrc2. Add the Git Branch Function
Add the following code at the end of your .bashrc file:
# Display the git branch name
function parse_git_branch () {
git branch 2> /dev/null | sed -e '/^[^*]/d' -e 's/* \(.*\)/(\1)/'
}
RED="\[\033[01;31m\]"
YELLOW="\[\033[01;33m\]"
GREEN="\[\033[01;32m\]"
BLUE="\[\033[01;34m\]"
NO_COLOR="\[\033[00m\]"
# without host
PS1="$GREEN\u$NO_COLOR:$BLUE\w$YELLOW\$(parse_git_branch)$NO_COLOR\$ "
# with host
# PS1="$GREEN\u@\h$NO_COLOR:$BLUE\w$YELLOW\$(parse_git_branch)$NO_COLOR\$ "3. Apply the Changes
After saving the file, reload your bash configuration:
source ~/.bashrc4. Output
Troubleshooting
1. Changes Not Visible:
- Make sure you ran
source ~/.bashrc - Verify the code was added correctly to
.bashrc
2. Branch Name Not Showing:
- Confirm you’re in a Git repository
- Check if Git is installed:
git --version
Conclusion
Displaying the Git branch name in your terminal is a simple yet powerful modification that can significantly improve your development workflow.
This customization helps prevent mistakes when working with multiple branches and makes your terminal more informative and user-friendly.
The color-coded prompt provides clear visual feedback about your current location and Git status, making it easier to navigate between projects and branches. With these changes, you’ll spend less time checking your Git status and more time focusing on your development tasks.
Happy coding! And hey, if you found this helpful, share it with your fellow developers. We’ve all been bitten by the wrong-branch bug at least once! 😉
Thank you for reading this article.
