title: How do I rename my Git 'master' branch to 'release'?
body: <p>We would like to enforce a new policy for our projects that the master branch now be called the release branch to ensure it is more clear as to how the branch should be used. Naturally, we will have develop and release candidate branches as well.</p>
  <p>I understand I can rename the master branch locally by simply using the following:</p>
  <pre><code>git branch -m master release
  </code></pre>
  <p>However, that is only locally. Even if I push this up to the remote, the HEAD still points to the remote master branch. I want to get rid of the master branch completely and make the default local branch upon initial clone, be release.</p>
  <p>How can I achieve this?</p>
  <p>It seems that since the origin is on a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gitorious" rel="noreferrer">Gitorious</a> server, I get errors deleting the master branch. I'm trying to see now if it is possible to change this so that the default branch is 'release'.</p>