Deleting a Git branch where the name contains a pipe (|) character

Question

I've been unable to delete this branch from the origin directly, or by creating a local copy.

Sample branch name: sample-branch|name.

A git pull returns Unable to create 'D:/my/git/repo/.git/refs/remotes/origin/sample-branch|name.lock': Invalid argument: Invalid argument

A git checkout sample-branch|name returns error: pathspec 'sample-branch|name' did not match any file(s) known to git.

Using the git branch -d --.... suggestions here, have also failed.

Is there an alternative command or a change to the existing commands that can be used in this instance?

Edit 1: I have tried with and without quotes

And can you clarify what operating system/environment you're on? Looks like Windows, are you using something like Git Bash? — mkrieger1, Oct 04 '17 at 11:20
And please show exactly all the commands you've tried, and the complete corresponding error messages. — mkrieger1, Oct 04 '17 at 11:22
This may be relevant: https://superuser.com/questions/270004/how-to-escape-pipe-symbol-in-bat-scripts - Maybe you could try using `sample-branch^|name`. — mkrieger1, Oct 04 '17 at 11:26

hspandher · Accepted Answer · 2017-10-04T12:32:06.793

1

git branch -d|D is only applicable for local branches. To delete a remote branch, you need to use slightly different command.

git push origin --delete "sample-branch|name" # git version >= 1.7

git push origin :"sample-branch|name" # for older versions

edited Oct 04 '17 at 12:32

answered Oct 04 '17 at 10:57

hspandher

Try it with origin specified. – hspandher Oct 04 '17 at 11:00
Perhaps the branch doesn't really exist with the same name. Try running `git remote show origin | grep -i sample-branch` – hspandher Oct 04 '17 at 11:03
Running that shows the branch is listed and tracked. – ManxJason Oct 04 '17 at 11:04
`git branch -D origin/"sample-branch|name"` - Last guess then. – hspandher Oct 04 '17 at 11:05
Thanks for your efforts, but still no joy with the latest suggestion. – ManxJason Oct 04 '17 at 11:06
@ManxJason My bad. We were using wrong command for deletion. Check my updated answer. – hspandher Oct 04 '17 at 12:19
@quetzalcoatl Since version 1.7, this new syntax has been added as well. – hspandher Oct 04 '17 at 12:31
Both of those threw an error, however the branch was deleted in the process. Thanks for your help – ManxJason Oct 05 '17 at 09:16

1 Answers1