dev@local: ~/project — git
dev@local~/project$git push
fatal: branch has no upstream
To push the current branch and set the remote as upstream, use:
git push --set-upstream origin current-branch
Diagnostics Translation
Git does not know which remote branch should receive your pushed commits.
waiting for resolution...
LowVersion Control System

Reviewed for reference consistency: April 11, 2026

Code is Safe

SECURE

Git has paused the operation to protect your code. No data has been lost or corrupted.

What To Know

This message means your local branch exists only in local history terms, without a paired remote-tracking reference that Git can use for default push behavior.

Where Did It Fail?

Working Tree
Your local files
add
Staging Index
Prepared changes
commit
Local Repo
Commit history
push/fetch
Remote Server
GitHub/GitLab
Git halted to protect the uncommitted files in your active working directory.

Commands That Trigger This

$git push
Running immediately after creating a branch with `git checkout -b new-feature`
$git pull
Trying to on a local branch that was never linked to a remote counterpart

Technical Background

01

Git requires explicit instructions for the first push of a new branch to prevent accidentally publishing private local branches.

02

Once the upstream link is established (usually via the `--set-upstream` or `-u` flag), future `git push` commands will work automatically without needing the branch name.

Underlying Causes

Pushing a newly created local branch for the first time without specifying the remote destination
The remote branch you were tracking was deleted
Cloning a repository without fully setting up local tracking branches

Frequently Asked Questions

Because you might want to push your local branch to a differently named branch on the server, or keep it strictly local. Git asks for confirmation the first time.

Related Git States

failed-to-push-some-refsMedium

Git rejected your push because the remote repository contains commits missing from your local branch.

remote-origin-already-existsLow

You tried to add a remote named 'origin', but one with that name already exists.

src-refspec-does-not-match-anyLow

Git could not find the local branch you are trying to push.