How to git pull a specific branch on my development remote server?

Question

I am trying to create a Local -> Development -> Production environment with the help of Git(hub). But I cannot find the right way to do this.

These are the levels:

1. Local development repository with a master, develop and feature branches.
2. Github repository with master, develop and feature branches.
3. Test remote server https://test.website.com/
4. Production server https://website.com/

This is the workflow I have in mind:

1) I make my changes locally, first in feature branches.

2) Merge feature branch with develop branch.

3) Push to Github repository.

4) Pull the develop branch to my test remote server. Test if everything is ok.

// Development server
ssh username@[IP_ADDRESS]
cd /to/my/git/folder
git pull https://www.github.com/user/repo

5) Merge my develop branch into master.

6) Pull my master branch on my production remote server.

// Production server    
ssh username@[IP_ADDRESS] 
cd /to/my/git/folder
git pull https://www.github.com/user/repo

The Problem

The problem I am facing is that when I git pull my repo on the development server I only get my master branch. But I want my develop branch on my development server and my master branch on my production server.

Is this even an efficient workflow or do I need to design it another way?

Answer 1

In the development server you can do git pull && git checkout <development-branch-name> It will update the git repo with the changes and switch the repo to use the development branch.

Take a look at this question to know how to configure your .gitconfig file to track the remote branch - Git: which is the default configured remote for branch?

Regarding the workflow, that is how things are done in places that I have worked. So, I guess it seems fine.

Answer 2

I solved the problem as follows:

> ssh username@[IP_ADDRESS] 
> cd /to/my/git/folder 
> git init
> git remote add origin https://github.com/user/repo.git
> git pull origin develop

I had to set my remote so I was able to pull the right develop branch.