eclipsegitgithubegit

funny refname error when creating a new remote branch

So I've gotten a project up on github and everything is dandy. Now I want to create a new branch.

Here's what I've done:

  1. created a new local branch
  2. pushed the new branch to github

Here's the problem: During the push to my remote, I get this error:

Repository ssh://git@github.com/<username>/ProjectColossus.git

funny refname
error: refusing to create funny ref 'workingBranch' remotely

My remote repo is called origin, so I've tried using that refname as suggested in another answer here on stackoverflow, but I get the same error. I've also tried using the same name as my new local branch, in the "Target Ref Name:" field before the remote push, but I really just am not sure what I'm doing at this point. I know there's something I'm not getting about git remote pushes, so a little explanation would be super helpful. I'm pretty new to git and version control, but I'm an intermediate level programmer (starting second year CS in January).

Solution

  • In the Target Ref Name, probably you have to add refs/heads:

    refs/heads/name_of_your_new_branch

    In your specific case:

    refs/heads/workingBranch

    (at least, it is the way with Bitbucket - egit, the Eclipse plugin for Eclipse)