Usually called main, this is the line that new clones and pull requests target unless told otherwise; code search and AB# transitions also use it. Changing it in Azure Repos requires Edit policies.
Read more: Microsoft Learn
In the Ultra Transcenders books
Each book explains Default branch in context, with comparison tables and the common traps.
Terms in this definition
- Azure Repos
Azure DevOps' version control: Git (and legacy centralised TFVC), guarded by branch permissions and policies. GitHub's counterpart is its repositories.
Related terms
- AB# mention
Type
AB#and a work item number in a GitHub issue, pull request or commit to link Azure Boards items; preceding it with fix, fixes or fixed changes the item's state on merge to the default branch. Azure Repos uses just#and the number. - Commit mention work item resolution
With this Azure Repos option (enabled by default), completing a pull request into the default branch transitions work items its commits mention with fix, fixes or fixed. Squash merges are the exception.
- Cross-repo branch policies
Policies set once for All Repositories in project settings, covering every repository's default branch or any current or future branch matching a pattern.