# Branches

## Delete merged branches

> [Introduced][ce-6449] in GitLab 8.14.

![Delete merged branches](img/delete_merged_branches.png)

This feature allows merged branches to be deleted in bulk. Only branches that
have been merged and [are not protected][protected] will be deleted as part of
this operation.

It's particularly useful to clean up old branches that were not deleting
automatically when a merge request was merged.

[ce-6449]: https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ce/merge_requests/6449 "Add button to delete all merged branches"
[protected]: ../../protected_branches.md