How do I create a new Git branch from an old commit?

Question

Possible Duplicate / a more recent/less clear question
Branch from a previous commit using Git

I have a Git branch called jzbranch and have an old commit id: a9c146a09505837ec03b.

How do I create a new branch, justin, from the information listed above?

Solution

git checkout -b NEW_BRANCH_NAME COMMIT_ID

This will create a new branch called 'NEW_BRANCH_NAME' and check it out.

("check out" means "to switch to the branch")

git branch NEW_BRANCH_NAME COMMIT_ID

This just creates the new branch without checking it out.

---

in the comments many people seem to prefer doing this in two steps. here's how to do so in two steps:

git checkout COMMIT_ID
# you are now in the "detached head" state
git checkout -b NEW_BRANCH_NAME

Comments

[ADTC]

It is worth noting that if you had checked out a commit using git checkout <SHA1> (and therefore you're on a detached HEAD), you can create a branch at that commit by just using git branch <branchname> or git checkout -b <branchname> (no SHA1 argument required for the same commit).

[WORMSS]

Just thought I would add that this technique also works when you accidentally drop a stash.

[Kip]

if you're creating a new branch for others to use, but don't have any commits yet, you can push with: git push --set-upstream origin justin

[mesqueeb]

what does "check it out" mean??

[slawkens]

@mesqueeb I suppose it means switching to the branch. The first command create a new branch and switches directly to it. The second one create a new branch without directly switching to it, so you will be still on older branch.