How to Restore Deleted Branch in GitHub
Dealing with deleted branches in GitHub can be a challenging task, especially when the branch contained crucial code or changes. However, with the right approach, you can easily restore the deleted branch and retrieve your lost work. In this article, we will guide you through the process of restoring a deleted branch in GitHub.
1. Check the GitHub Repository
The first step in restoring a deleted branch is to check the GitHub repository where the branch was originally created. Ensure that you have access to the repository and that you are logged in to your GitHub account.
2. Use the GitHub Archive
GitHub provides an archive of deleted branches and repositories, which can be accessed through the GitHub Archive website. To retrieve a deleted branch, follow these steps:
1. Go to the GitHub Archive website: https://archive.org/web/.
2. Enter the URL of the GitHub repository where the deleted branch was located.
3. Use the search function to find the deleted branch.
4. Click on the link to the deleted branch and download the archive file.
3. Restore the Deleted Branch
Once you have downloaded the archive file, you can restore the deleted branch by following these steps:
1. Extract the contents of the archive file to a local directory.
2. Clone the GitHub repository to a new local directory using the command: `git clone [repository URL]`.
3. Navigate to the cloned repository directory using the command: `cd [repository directory]`.
4. Create a new branch using the command: `git checkout -b [new branch name]`.
5. Copy the contents of the extracted directory to the new branch using the command: `cp -r [extracted directory] .`.
6. Commit the changes using the command: `git add .` and `git commit -m “Restore deleted branch”`.
7. Push the new branch to the GitHub repository using the command: `git push origin [new branch name]`.
4. Replace the Deleted Branch
After restoring the deleted branch, you may want to replace the original deleted branch with the new one. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Navigate to the GitHub repository where the deleted branch was located.
2. Click on the “Branches” tab.
3. Delete the original deleted branch by clicking on the “Delete branch” button.
4. Click on the “Confirm delete branch” button to confirm the deletion.
5. Push the new branch to the GitHub repository using the command: `git push origin [new branch name]`.
By following these steps, you can successfully restore a deleted branch in GitHub and retrieve your lost work. Remember to regularly backup your branches and code to prevent future data loss.
