Command
git tag -d <tag>Explanation
The `git tag -d` command deletes a tag from your local repository. This is useful when a tag was created incorrectly or is no longer needed. Deleting a tag locally does not affect the remote repository. To remove a tag from the remote, use `git push origin --delete <tag>`. It’s good practice to ensure you’re not deleting tags that others depend on, especially in shared or production repositories.
Common Use Cases
- •Removing incorrect or outdated release tags
- •Cleaning up test tags before public release
- •Correcting tagging mistakes
Best Practices
- ✓Always confirm which tags are safe to delete before removal
- ✓Delete both local and remote tags if they’re obsolete
- ✓Communicate tag deletions to the team if working collaboratively
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ⚠Assuming deleting a local tag also removes it from the remote
- ⚠Deleting tags without verifying if they are in use
- ⚠Forgetting to remove remote tag after local deletion
Troubleshooting
Problem: Tag still visible on remote after deletion
Solution: You must remove it from remote manually using `git push origin --delete <tag>`.
Problem: Accidentally deleted important tag
Solution: Recreate the tag pointing to the correct commit using `git tag <tag-name> <commit-hash>` and re-push it.
Examples
Delete local tag v1.0
git tag -d v1.0Delete tag v1.0 from remote repository
git push origin --delete v1.0Delete both local and remote tag
git tag -d v1.0 && git push origin --delete v1.0