Can't create a new git branch

[ynwd]

• VSCode Version: 1.31.1 (1.31.1)
• OS Version: MacOS Mojave 10.14.3 (18D109)

[vscodebot]

(Experimental duplicate detection)
Thanks for submitting this issue. Please also check if it is already covered by an existing one, like:

• not able to create new branch in Git (#68389)
• Git: Preserve open files list when switching branches (#35307)
• Suggestion: Create git branch action in checkout dropdown after typing in new branch name (#60895)
• Git: Support to create local branch from specific remote branch (#55732)
• Git: Delete Branch command should support multiple choice (#60799)

[kieferrm]

Please provide the concrete steps to reproduce the problem. Thanks!

[kieferrm]

/needsMoreInfo

[vscodebot]

Thanks for creating this issue! We figured it's missing some basic information or in some other way doesn't follow our issue reporting guidelines. Please take the time to review these and update the issue.

Happy Coding!

[raldred]

@ynwd @joaomoreno
I think this could be because the behaviour of the "create new branch" option has changed recently.
After entering a branch name and pressing enter the user is now presented with a second list to select select the ref in which to base the branch from. On quick glance it's easy to see the confusion.

Looks like wording as been improved here
vldmrkl@1148298

I still think it's confusing and and unnecessary step for the majority of user who just want to branch from their current HEAD.

[Markus-bt]

Took me quite a while and several branches, created on command line to find the solution to my confusion here.
As a quick help for users, I would suggest, to change the first entry "HEAD" to something which better indicates the second use of this menue like "DERIVE FROM... HEAD

[joaomoreno]

The quick open mentions "Select a ref to create a new branch from".

I'll close this and see whether more users hit this confusion. It might just be a small "getting used to it" bump.

[raldred]

@joaomoreno I believe the requirement to select the ref is an unnecessary step for the majority of users. I think VScode should by default support the most common path first.

I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in saying that I have NEVER found myself wanting to create a branch from anything else other than HEAD

[Markus-bt]

I didn't even recognize that quickref...
I did not expect anything to stand there except stuff I already knew so I wasn't looking (User Expectancy)
We do several branches that depend on other branches, but we usually opened the correct branch and then created a new one. So, getting used to it.
Closing is OK, but there are at least two other issues with this theme, I think.
..and we shouldn't keep writing comments in a closed issue, so that's all from me.

[joaomoreno]

@raldred @Markus-bt Addressed in #70812