Can't remove remote branch in git

I'm trying to remove a remote branch with git:

rpinson@rpinson:~/dev/charismanie$ git remote show origin 
* remote origin
  Fetch URL: git@github.com:raphink/Charismanie.git
  Push  URL: git@github.com:raphink/Charismanie.git
  HEAD branch: xetex
  Remote branches:
    master tracked
    xetex  tracked
  Local branch configured for 'git pull':
    master merges with remote master
  Local ref configured for 'git push':
    master pushes to master (up to date)
rpinson@rpinson:~/dev/charismanie$ git push origin :xetex
remote: error: refusing to delete the current branch: refs/heads/xetex
To git@github.com:raphink/Charismanie.git
 ! [remote rejected] xetex (deletion of the current branch prohibited)
error: failed to push some refs to 'git@github.com:raphink/Charismanie.git'

Is there a way I can remove this branch from the list of "Remote branches" so I can remove it?

ℝaphink

Posted 2011-06-08T08:22:56.433

Reputation: 3 531

http://support.github.com/discussions/repos/3267-why-cant-i-delete-my-master-branch could help, perhaps? – VonC – 2011-06-08T08:44:17.547

I've tried that, it doesn't help. – ℝaphink – 2011-06-08T08:58:28.663

Possible cross site duplicate of: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/3301956/git-correct-way-to-change-active-branch-in-a-bare-repository

– Ciro Santilli 新疆改造中心法轮功六四事件 – 2014-02-02T21:00:01.430

Answers

The branch was set as default on github, preventing it from being deleted.

On github, I went to "Administration" in the project, reset the default branch to "master" and I was able to remove the xetex branch.

ℝaphink

Posted 2011-06-08T08:22:56.433

Reputation: 3 531

I also encounter with this problem. I think it's better to have some tips showing that it's default?? I am stuck with it all day.... – WesternGun – 2016-08-31T11:16:11.363

I spent 30 minutes trying to do this though the CLI. So simple – Brian McCall – 2017-08-09T21:59:12.933

1Awesome! was looking how to do that on GitHub for 20 minutes before I searched here. – rlemon – 2012-01-20T20:55:36.897

1This also happens with BitBucket, and is fixed in a similar fashion. – John Bubriski – 2013-03-08T14:35:39.927

Is there no pure git way of doing it? – Ciro Santilli 新疆改造中心法轮功六四事件 – 2014-02-01T21:19:10.013

github default branch is not a git feature, so no. – ℝaphink – 2014-02-02T20:55:08.893

For what it's worth in BitBucket:

click on Settings in the left menu
under 'Repository Details' find 'Main Branch' drop down menu
select a different branch from the one you want to delete

There's also an option to prevent branch deletion under the 'Branch management' section, but you have to actively set that yourself first.

mallardz

Posted 2011-06-08T08:22:56.433

Reputation: 111