# gel branch create

Create a new [branch](https://docs.geldata.com/reference/datamodel/branches.md#ref-datamodel-branches).

```cli-synopsis
gel branch create [<options>] <name>
```

## Description

`gel branch create` creates a new branch with the same schema as the current branch specified in `$CONFIG/credentials`. Without any options, it is equivalent to [`create schema branch`](https://docs.geldata.com/reference/datamodel/branches.md#statement::create-schema-branch).

## Options

The `branch create` command runs in the Gel instance it is connected to. For specifying the connection target see [connection options](https://docs.geldata.com/reference/using/cli/gel_connopts.md#ref-cli-gel-connopts).

`<name>`:
The name of the new branch.



`--from <oldbranch>`:
The optional base branch to create the new branch from. Defaults to the current branch specified in `$CONFIG/credentials`.



`-e, --empty`:
Create a branch with no schema or data.



`--copy-data`:
Copy data from the base branch to the new branch.