branchout

Pi git branchout command for creating new branches safely from a picked source branch.

Packages

Package details

extension

Install branchout from npm and Pi will load the resources declared by the package manifest.

npm repohome report
$ pi install npm:branchout
Package
branchout
Version
0.1.1
Published
Jul 17, 2026
Downloads
345/mo · 22/wk
Author
sgtbeatdown
License
MIT
Types
extension
Size
95 KB
Dependencies
0 dependencies · 2 peers
Pi manifest JSON
{
  "image": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/almogdepaz/branchout/main/media/social-preview.png",
  "extensions": [
    "./src/extension.ts"
  ]
}

Security note

Pi packages can execute code and influence agent behavior. Review the source before installing third-party packages.

README

branchout

create new git branches from the right source branch inside pi, without memorizing branch names.

branchout demo

why install it

  • /branchout opens a branch picker, asks for a new branch name, and creates it from the selected source.
  • direct forms still work for fast keyboard-driven workflows.
  • every git operation is explicit, argv-only, and runs in pi's current working directory.
  • no telemetry, daemon, shell interpolation, force operations, stashing, rebasing, merging, or automatic commits.

install

pi install npm:branchout

then run pi in any git repository and use /branchout.

commands

command behavior
/branchout pick a local source branch, enter a new branch name, and create it from the updated source
/branchout new-branch create new-branch from main
/branchout -b source-branch new-branch create new-branch from source-branch

what it runs

/branchout validates branch names with git check-ref-format --branch, then runs:

git fetch origin <source>
git checkout <source>
git pull --ff-only origin <source>
git checkout -b <new> <source>

All git commands are executed with argv arrays in pi's current working directory. No shell interpolation, stashing, resetting, rebasing, merging, force operations, automatic commits, telemetry, or background service.

behavior notes

  • bare /branchout lists local branches only.
  • main appears first when present; other branches stay recent-first.
  • cancelling the picker or input prompt does not mutate git state.
  • /branchout uses --ff-only; divergent source updates fail instead of merging.
  • repositories without origin fail normally because the command fetches and pulls from origin.
  • dirty worktrees are left to git: compatible edits may carry across; conflicting checkouts fail.

update / remove

pi update npm:branchout
pi remove npm:branchout

pi package gallery

branchout is published as a pi package with the pi-package keyword and a pi.extensions manifest, so it is discoverable through the pi package gallery after npm indexing.

troubleshooting

see docs/troubleshooting.md.

development

see docs/development.md.

security

see SECURITY.md and docs/security-model.md.