Deleting a branch in Azure DevOps is a straightforward process but it’s important to proceed with caution, especially if the branch is part of a collaborative project. Here’s how to delete a branch in Azure DevOps:

Steps to Delete a Branch in Azure DevOps

1. Navigate to Your Repository:

   • Go to the Repos section of your Azure DevOps project.
   • Select the repository containing the branch you want to delete.

2. Find the Branch:

   • Click on the Branches tab to see a list of all branches.
   • Locate the branch you wish to delete. You can use the search function if you have many branches.

3. Delete the Branch:

   • Once you find the branch, hover over it, and you’ll see a three-dot menu (ellipsis) at the end of the branch row.
   • Click on this menu, and you should see an option to Delete.
   • Confirm the deletion when prompted.

Considerations Before Deleting a Branch

• Check for Open Pull Requests: Ensure there are no open pull requests associated with the branch. Deleting a branch with open pull requests can disrupt the review process.

• Notify Team Members: If you’re working in a team, notify members about the branch deletion, especially if the branch is being actively used or reviewed.

• Backup: If you think you might need the branch later, consider creating a local backup by pulling the branch to your local machine before deleting it.

• Review Merged Changes: Make sure all necessary changes in the branch have been merged into your mainline branch (like main or master) or another relevant branch.

Restoring a Deleted Branch

• If you accidentally delete a branch, you can restore it. Go to the Recycle Bin tab under the Branches section in your repository. Here, you’ll find deleted branches, and you can choose to Restore or Permanently Delete them.

Using the Command Line

You can also delete branches via the command line using Git commands. However, this will only delete the local copy of the branch. To delete the branch from Azure DevOps, you will need to push the deletion:

Be aware that deleting branches, especially those that are shared or used by others, can have significant impacts on your workflow. It’s always a good practice to review and communicate with your team before proceeding with such actions.