Git: Creating an empty branch

git-create-empty-branch.sh

git stash                                                         # Stash changes if any
git symbolic-ref HEAD refs/heads/${NEW_BRANCH}                    # Change head to a new, non-existing ref
git rm -rf .                                                      # Delete files from version control and working directory
rm -r .                                                           # Delete files from file system
git commit --allow-empty -m "Created new branch ${NEW_BRANCH}"    # Commit changes in the new branch

git checkout --orphan new will create a new branch with zero commits on it, however all of your files will be staged. At that point you could just remove them. Then create a dummy file, write something and push it to origin. Then a history will be created for your branch and you will be able to see your new branch when you do git branch