Detecting the Current Branch Failed: Fatal: HEAD Is Not a Symbolic Ref

This issue occurs when I tried with Jenkins build using Maven Release Plugin. I was trying to build my production release artifacts. I was building my "master" branch and its for final release. I have used Git as repository. I faced this issue when clicked on "maven release build" link on left side corner of my Maven project (Jenkins job) .

As we know build issue is common for developers those are actively participating with Build and Release. This issue over Jenkins is common , but I never found any direct or easy solution for this. I spend couple of hour to resolve and google almost all relevant sites and article.But, not able to work out. Finally did it by some HIT and TRY ,then it works for me.   

Issue log details :-

[INFO] ------------------------------------------------------------------------

[INFO] BUILD FAILURE

[INFO] ------------------------------------------------------------------------

[INFO] Total time: 23.884s

[INFO] Finished at: Wed Dec 17 18:05:43 EST 2014

[INFO] Final Memory: 15M/301M

[INFO] ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Waiting for Jenkins to finish collecting data

[ERROR] Failed to execute goal org.apache.maven.plugins:maven-release-plugin:2.0:prepare (default-cli) on project hello_world_app: An error is occurred in the checkin process: Exception while executing SCM command. Detecting the current branch failed: fatal: ref HEAD is not a symbolic ref -> [Help 1]

[ERROR]

[ERROR] To see the full stack trace of the errors, re-run Maven with the -e switch.

[ERROR] Re-run Maven using the -X switch to enable full debug logging.

[ERROR]

[ERROR] For more information about the errors and possible solutions, please read the following articles:

[ERROR] [Help 1] http://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/MAVEN/MojoExecutionException

[JENKINS] Archiving /opt/jenkins_dev/workspace/SDP_BIZ_HELLO_WORLD_APP/pom.xml to in.com.company.xcop.sdp.bizservice.test.dao/hello_world_app/0.0.8-SNAPSHOT/ hello_world_app -0.0.8-SNAPSHOT.pom

channel stopped

Started calculate disk usage of build

Finished Calculation of disk usage of build in 0 seconds

Started calculate disk usage of workspace

Finished Calculation of disk usage of workspace in 0 seconds

Solution :-

 In Jenkins job , open the configuration and go to Git configuration => Advance Options => << add your local branch name >>. In my case I have added "master" .

If you are using some other version of jerkins then , you may find the similar settings with other way. In the same way Git configuration => Advance Options => Additional Behaviors => Check out to specific local branch => << Add your local branch name >>.   

Attached the screenshot below with highlight. 

How to Install Git Plugin in Eclipse Using EGit

This is very easy and you can do this easily. Normally , Eclipse IDE usually comes with Git integration through EGit. But, some how if its missed, we can add as the external plugin. Follow the below step-by-step process .

Step by step process to install git  plugin on eclipse:-

Step 1) Use the repository location. i.e. http://download.eclipse.org/egit/updates

Step 2.) Go to Help > Install New Software

Step 3.) Add repository location, Click Add. Enter repository name as "EGit". Then click Ok to add repository location.

Step 4.) Expand “Eclipse Git Team Provider” and select “Eclipse Git Team Provider”. Then Click Next

Step 5.) Review product and click Next.

Step 6.) Accept the agreement and click Finish.

Step 7.) Then, it will take few time for download the plugin and binaries.

Step 8.) Then ,accept the prompt to restart the Eclipse.

Now Your Eclipse is ready to use Git Repository Plugin.

You can also verify the Git installation.

Step 1.) Go to Help > Install New Software

Step 2.) Click on Already Installed and verify plugin is installed.

Else you can verify by searching on Windows => preference => type egit on search box.