This version of GitHub Enterprise Server was discontinued on 2024-03-26. No patch releases will be made, even for critical security issues. For better performance, improved security, and new features, upgrade to the latest version of GitHub Enterprise Server. For help with the upgrade, contact GitHub Enterprise support.

Managing the automatic deletion of branches

You can have head branches automatically deleted after pull requests are merged in your repository.

Anyone with admin permissions to a repository can enable or disable the automatic deletion of branches. Branch protection rules and repository rules can also prevent branches being automatically deleted. For more information, see "About protected branches."

  1. On your GitHub Enterprise Server instance, navigate to the main page of the repository.

  2. Under your repository name, click Settings. If you cannot see the "Settings" tab, select the dropdown menu, then click Settings.

    Screenshot of a repository header showing the tabs. The "Settings" tab is highlighted by a dark orange outline.

  3. On the "General" settings page, you can find a section called "Pull Requests". Under "Pull Requests", select or deselect Automatically delete head branches.

Further reading