diff --git a/docs/assets/images/teaser.png b/docs/assets/images/teaser.png
index acd1f382..1dfe6278 100644
Binary files a/docs/assets/images/teaser.png and b/docs/assets/images/teaser.png differ
diff --git a/docs/commands/deploy.md b/docs/commands/deploy.md
index 1dc9cb23..d2a214db 100644
--- a/docs/commands/deploy.md
+++ b/docs/commands/deploy.md
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ backend:
     value: foo # <- and even one in a list
 ```
 
-With the following command GitOps CLI will update both values to `1.1.0` on the `master` branch.
+With the following command GitOps CLI will update both values to `1.1.0` on the default branch.
 
 ```bash
 gitopscli deploy \
diff --git a/gitopscli/commands/common/gitops_config_loader.py b/gitopscli/commands/common/gitops_config_loader.py
index e904c0b2..e78ab999 100644
--- a/gitopscli/commands/common/gitops_config_loader.py
+++ b/gitopscli/commands/common/gitops_config_loader.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 def load_gitops_config(git_api_config: GitApiConfig, organisation: str, repository_name: str) -> GitOpsConfig:
     git_repo_api = GitRepoApiFactory.create(git_api_config, organisation, repository_name)
     with GitRepo(git_repo_api) as git_repo:
-        git_repo.checkout("master")
+        git_repo.clone()
         gitops_config_file_path = git_repo.get_full_file_path(".gitops.config.yaml")
         try:
             gitops_config_yaml = yaml_file_load(gitops_config_file_path)
diff --git a/gitopscli/commands/create_preview.py b/gitopscli/commands/create_preview.py
index 60ec265f..beb5cdea 100644
--- a/gitopscli/commands/create_preview.py
+++ b/gitopscli/commands/create_preview.py
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ def execute(self,) -> None:
 
         team_config_git_repo_api = self.__create_team_config_git_repo_api(gitops_config)
         with GitRepo(team_config_git_repo_api) as team_config_git_repo:
-            team_config_git_repo.checkout("master")
+            team_config_git_repo.clone()
 
             created_new_preview = self.__create_preview_from_template_if_not_existing(
                 team_config_git_repo, gitops_config
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ def execute(self,) -> None:
                 logging.info("The preview is already up-to-date. I'm done here.")
                 return
 
-            self.__commit_and_push_to_master(
+            self.__commit_and_push(
                 team_config_git_repo,
                 f"{'Create new' if created_new_preview else 'Update'} preview environment for "
                 f"'{gitops_config.application_name}' and git hash '{self.__args.git_hash}'.",
@@ -69,9 +69,9 @@ def execute(self,) -> None:
         else:
             self.__deployment_updated_callback(route_host)
 
-    def __commit_and_push_to_master(self, git_repo: GitRepo, message: str) -> None:
+    def __commit_and_push(self, git_repo: GitRepo, message: str) -> None:
         git_repo.commit(self.__args.git_user, self.__args.git_email, message)
-        git_repo.push("master")
+        git_repo.push()
 
     def __get_gitops_config(self) -> GitOpsConfig:
         return load_gitops_config(self.__args, self.__args.organisation, self.__args.repository_name)
diff --git a/gitopscli/commands/delete_preview.py b/gitopscli/commands/delete_preview.py
index 713c2e71..09faf9a5 100644
--- a/gitopscli/commands/delete_preview.py
+++ b/gitopscli/commands/delete_preview.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ def execute(self) -> None:
 
         team_config_git_repo_api = self.__create_team_config_git_repo_api(gitops_config)
         with GitRepo(team_config_git_repo_api) as team_config_git_repo:
-            team_config_git_repo.checkout("master")
+            team_config_git_repo.clone()
 
             preview_namespace = gitops_config.get_preview_namespace(preview_id)
             logging.info("Preview folder name: %s", preview_namespace)
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ def execute(self) -> None:
                 )
                 return
 
-            self.__commit_and_push_to_master(
+            self.__commit_and_push(
                 team_config_git_repo,
                 f"Delete preview environment for '{gitops_config.application_name}' and preview id '{preview_id}'.",
             )
@@ -57,9 +57,9 @@ def __get_gitops_config(self) -> GitOpsConfig:
     def __create_team_config_git_repo_api(self, gitops_config: GitOpsConfig) -> GitRepoApi:
         return GitRepoApiFactory.create(self.__args, gitops_config.team_config_org, gitops_config.team_config_repo)
 
-    def __commit_and_push_to_master(self, git_repo: GitRepo, message: str) -> None:
+    def __commit_and_push(self, git_repo: GitRepo, message: str) -> None:
         git_repo.commit(self.__args.git_user, self.__args.git_email, message)
-        git_repo.push("master")
+        git_repo.push()
 
     @staticmethod
     def __delete_folder_if_exists(git_repo: GitRepo, folder_name: str) -> bool:
diff --git a/gitopscli/commands/deploy.py b/gitopscli/commands/deploy.py
index d7e7b7f2..869ee86e 100644
--- a/gitopscli/commands/deploy.py
+++ b/gitopscli/commands/deploy.py
@@ -32,27 +32,26 @@ def __init__(self, args: Args) -> None:
     def execute(self) -> None:
         git_repo_api = self.__create_git_repo_api()
         with GitRepo(git_repo_api) as git_repo:
-            branch = "master"
-            git_repo.checkout(branch)
+            git_repo.clone()
 
             if self.__args.create_pr:
-                branch = f"gitopscli-deploy-{str(uuid.uuid4())[:8]}"
-                git_repo.new_branch(branch)
+                pr_branch = f"gitopscli-deploy-{str(uuid.uuid4())[:8]}"
+                git_repo.new_branch(pr_branch)
 
             updated_values = self.__update_values(git_repo)
             if not updated_values:
                 logging.info("All values already up-to-date. I'm done here.")
                 return
 
-            git_repo.push(branch)
+            git_repo.push()
 
         if self.__args.create_pr:
             title, description = self.__create_pull_request_title_and_description(updated_values)
-            pr_id = git_repo_api.create_pull_request(branch, "master", title, description).pr_id
+            pr_id = git_repo_api.create_pull_request_to_default_branch(pr_branch, title, description).pr_id
 
             if self.__args.auto_merge:
                 git_repo_api.merge_pull_request(pr_id)
-                git_repo_api.delete_branch(branch)
+                git_repo_api.delete_branch(pr_branch)
 
     def __create_git_repo_api(self) -> GitRepoApi:
         return GitRepoApiFactory.create(self.__args, self.__args.organisation, self.__args.repository_name)
diff --git a/gitopscli/commands/sync_apps.py b/gitopscli/commands/sync_apps.py
index 36f9ed36..7e524bf4 100644
--- a/gitopscli/commands/sync_apps.py
+++ b/gitopscli/commands/sync_apps.py
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ def __sync_apps(team_config_git_repo: GitRepo, root_config_git_repo: GitRepo, gi
 
     logging.info("Sync applications in root repository's %s.", apps_config_file_name)
     merge_yaml_element(apps_config_file, "applications", {repo_app: {} for repo_app in repo_apps})
-    __commit_and_push_to_master(team_config_git_repo, root_config_git_repo, git_user, git_email, apps_config_file_name)
+    __commit_and_push(team_config_git_repo, root_config_git_repo, git_user, git_email, apps_config_file_name)
 
 
 def __find_apps_config_from_repo(
@@ -100,16 +100,16 @@ def __get_applications_from_app_config(app_config: Any) -> Set[str]:
     return set(apps)
 
 
-def __commit_and_push_to_master(
+def __commit_and_push(
     team_config_git_repo: GitRepo, root_config_git_repo: GitRepo, git_user: str, git_email: str, app_file_name: str
 ) -> None:
     author = team_config_git_repo.get_author_from_last_commit()
     root_config_git_repo.commit(git_user, git_email, f"{author} updated " + app_file_name)
-    root_config_git_repo.push("master")
+    root_config_git_repo.push()
 
 
 def __get_bootstrap_entries(root_config_git_repo: GitRepo) -> Any:
-    root_config_git_repo.checkout("master")
+    root_config_git_repo.clone()
     bootstrap_values_file = root_config_git_repo.get_full_file_path("bootstrap/values.yaml")
     try:
         bootstrap_yaml = yaml_file_load(bootstrap_values_file)
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ def __get_bootstrap_entries(root_config_git_repo: GitRepo) -> Any:
 
 
 def __get_repo_apps(team_config_git_repo: GitRepo) -> Set[str]:
-    team_config_git_repo.checkout("master")
+    team_config_git_repo.clone()
     repo_dir = team_config_git_repo.get_full_file_path(".")
     return {
         name
diff --git a/gitopscli/git/bitbucket_git_repo_api_adapter.py b/gitopscli/git/bitbucket_git_repo_api_adapter.py
index f7fb1bd7..163bf6c3 100644
--- a/gitopscli/git/bitbucket_git_repo_api_adapter.py
+++ b/gitopscli/git/bitbucket_git_repo_api_adapter.py
@@ -51,6 +51,12 @@ def get_clone_url(self) -> str:
             raise GitOpsException("Couldn't determine repository URL.")
         return str(repo_url)
 
+    def create_pull_request_to_default_branch(
+        self, from_branch: str, title: str, description: str
+    ) -> GitRepoApi.PullRequestIdAndUrl:
+        to_branch = self.__get_default_branch()
+        return self.create_pull_request(from_branch, to_branch, title, description)
+
     def create_pull_request(
         self, from_branch: str, to_branch: str, title: str, description: str
     ) -> GitRepoApi.PullRequestIdAndUrl:
@@ -98,3 +104,7 @@ def get_pull_request_branch(self, pr_id: int) -> str:
         if "errors" in pull_request:
             raise GitOpsException(pull_request["errors"][0]["message"])
         return str(pull_request["fromRef"]["displayId"])
+
+    def __get_default_branch(self) -> str:
+        default_branch = self.__bitbucket.get_default_branch(self.__organisation, self.__repository_name)
+        return str(default_branch["id"])
diff --git a/gitopscli/git/git_repo.py b/gitopscli/git/git_repo.py
index ee2bad92..ccda3617 100644
--- a/gitopscli/git/git_repo.py
+++ b/gitopscli/git/git_repo.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ def get_full_file_path(self, relative_path: str) -> str:
     def get_clone_url(self) -> str:
         return self.__api.get_clone_url()
 
-    def checkout(self, branch: str) -> None:
+    def clone(self) -> None:
         self.__delete_tmp_dir()
         self.__tmp_dir = create_tmp_dir()
         git_options = []
@@ -52,12 +52,6 @@ def checkout(self, branch: str) -> None:
         except GitError as ex:
             raise GitOpsException(f"Error cloning '{url}'") from ex
 
-        logging.info("Checking out branch: %s", branch)
-        try:
-            self.__repo.git.checkout(branch)
-        except GitError as ex:
-            raise GitOpsException(f"Error checking out branch '{branch}'") from ex
-
     def new_branch(self, branch: str) -> None:
         logging.info("Creating new branch: %s", branch)
         repo = self.__get_repo()
@@ -78,9 +72,11 @@ def commit(self, git_user: str, git_email: str, message: str) -> None:
         except GitError as ex:
             raise GitOpsException(f"Error creating commit.") from ex
 
-    def push(self, branch: str) -> None:
-        logging.info("Pushing branch: %s", branch)
+    def push(self, branch: Optional[str] = None) -> None:
         repo = self.__get_repo()
+        if not branch:
+            branch = repo.git.branch("--show-current")
+        logging.info("Pushing branch: %s", branch)
         try:
             repo.git.push("--set-upstream", "origin", branch)
         except GitCommandError as ex:
diff --git a/gitopscli/git/git_repo_api.py b/gitopscli/git/git_repo_api.py
index b13e8e63..87104aa1 100644
--- a/gitopscli/git/git_repo_api.py
+++ b/gitopscli/git/git_repo_api.py
@@ -19,6 +19,12 @@ def get_password(self) -> Optional[str]:
     def get_clone_url(self) -> str:
         ...
 
+    @abstractmethod
+    def create_pull_request_to_default_branch(
+        self, from_branch: str, title: str, description: str
+    ) -> "PullRequestIdAndUrl":
+        ...
+
     @abstractmethod
     def create_pull_request(
         self, from_branch: str, to_branch: str, title: str, description: str
diff --git a/gitopscli/git/git_repo_api_logging_proxy.py b/gitopscli/git/git_repo_api_logging_proxy.py
index 84d485b4..b9086f0f 100644
--- a/gitopscli/git/git_repo_api_logging_proxy.py
+++ b/gitopscli/git/git_repo_api_logging_proxy.py
@@ -16,6 +16,12 @@ def get_password(self) -> Optional[str]:
     def get_clone_url(self) -> str:
         return self.__api.get_clone_url()
 
+    def create_pull_request_to_default_branch(
+        self, from_branch: str, title: str, description: str
+    ) -> GitRepoApi.PullRequestIdAndUrl:
+        logging.info("Creating pull request from '%s' to default branch with title: %s", from_branch, title)
+        return self.__api.create_pull_request_to_default_branch(from_branch, title, description)
+
     def create_pull_request(
         self, from_branch: str, to_branch: str, title: str, description: str
     ) -> GitRepoApi.PullRequestIdAndUrl:
diff --git a/gitopscli/git/github_git_repo_api_adapter.py b/gitopscli/git/github_git_repo_api_adapter.py
index 072261f0..e3ad9cda 100644
--- a/gitopscli/git/github_git_repo_api_adapter.py
+++ b/gitopscli/git/github_git_repo_api_adapter.py
@@ -23,12 +23,18 @@ def get_password(self) -> Optional[str]:
     def get_clone_url(self) -> str:
         return self.__get_repo().clone_url
 
+    def create_pull_request_to_default_branch(
+        self, from_branch: str, title: str, description: str
+    ) -> GitRepoApi.PullRequestIdAndUrl:
+        to_branch = self.__get_repo().default_branch
+        return self.create_pull_request(from_branch, to_branch, title, description)
+
     def create_pull_request(
         self, from_branch: str, to_branch: str, title: str, description: str
     ) -> GitRepoApi.PullRequestIdAndUrl:
         repo = self.__get_repo()
         pull_request = repo.create_pull(title=title, body=description, head=from_branch, base=to_branch)
-        return GitRepoApi.PullRequestIdAndUrl(pr_id=pull_request.id, url=pull_request.html_url)
+        return GitRepoApi.PullRequestIdAndUrl(pr_id=pull_request.number, url=pull_request.html_url)
 
     def merge_pull_request(self, pr_id: int) -> None:
         pull_request = self.__get_pull_request(pr_id)
diff --git a/tests/commands/common/test_gitops_config_loader.py b/tests/commands/common/test_gitops_config_loader.py
index 2a1f8d29..24d6887e 100644
--- a/tests/commands/common/test_gitops_config_loader.py
+++ b/tests/commands/common/test_gitops_config_loader.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ def setUp(self):
         self.git_repo_mock.return_value = self.git_repo_mock
         self.git_repo_mock.__enter__.return_value = self.git_repo_mock
         self.git_repo_mock.__exit__.return_value = False
-        self.git_repo_mock.checkout.return_value = None
+        self.git_repo_mock.clone.return_value = None
         self.git_repo_mock.get_full_file_path.side_effect = lambda x: f"/repo-dir/{x}"
 
         self.seal_mocks()
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ def test_happy_flow(self):
         assert self.mock_manager.method_calls == [
             call.GitRepoApiFactory.create(self.git_api_config, "ORGA", "REPO"),
             call.GitRepo(self.git_repo_api_mock),
-            call.GitRepo.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.clone(),
             call.GitRepo.get_full_file_path(".gitops.config.yaml"),
             call.yaml_file_load("/repo-dir/.gitops.config.yaml"),
             call.GitOpsConfig.from_yaml({"dummy": "gitopsconfig"}),
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ def test_file_not_found(self):
         assert self.mock_manager.method_calls == [
             call.GitRepoApiFactory.create(self.git_api_config, "ORGA", "REPO"),
             call.GitRepo(self.git_repo_api_mock),
-            call.GitRepo.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.clone(),
             call.GitRepo.get_full_file_path(".gitops.config.yaml"),
             call.yaml_file_load("/repo-dir/.gitops.config.yaml"),
         ]
diff --git a/tests/commands/test_create_preview.py b/tests/commands/test_create_preview.py
index 46909d82..a3bbe1f7 100644
--- a/tests/commands/test_create_preview.py
+++ b/tests/commands/test_create_preview.py
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ def setUp(self):
         self.git_repo_mock.__enter__.return_value = self.git_repo_mock
         self.git_repo_mock.__exit__.return_value = False
         self.git_repo_mock.get_full_file_path.side_effect = lambda x: f"/tmp/created-tmp-dir/{x}"
-        self.git_repo_mock.checkout.return_value = None
+        self.git_repo_mock.clone.return_value = None
         self.git_repo_mock.commit.return_value = None
         self.git_repo_mock.push.return_value = None
 
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ def test_create_new_preview(self):
             call.load_gitops_config(ARGS, "ORGA", "REPO",),
             call.GitRepoApiFactory.create(ARGS, "TEAM_CONFIG_ORG", "TEAM_CONFIG_REPO",),
             call.GitRepo(self.git_repo_api_mock),
-            call.GitRepo.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.clone(),
             call.GitRepo.get_full_file_path("my-app-685912d3-preview"),
             call.os.path.isdir("/tmp/created-tmp-dir/my-app-685912d3-preview"),
             call.logging.info("Create new folder for preview: %s", "my-app-685912d3-preview"),
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ def test_create_new_preview(self):
                 "GIT_EMAIL",
                 "Create new preview environment for 'my-app' and git hash '3361723dbd91fcfae7b5b8b8b7d462fbc14187a9'.",
             ),
-            call.GitRepo.push("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.push(),
         ]
 
     def test_update_existing_preview(self):
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ def test_update_existing_preview(self):
             call.load_gitops_config(ARGS, "ORGA", "REPO",),
             call.GitRepoApiFactory.create(ARGS, "TEAM_CONFIG_ORG", "TEAM_CONFIG_REPO",),
             call.GitRepo(self.git_repo_api_mock),
-            call.GitRepo.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.clone(),
             call.GitRepo.get_full_file_path("my-app-685912d3-preview"),
             call.os.path.isdir("/tmp/created-tmp-dir/my-app-685912d3-preview"),
             call.logging.info("Use existing folder for preview: %s", "my-app-685912d3-preview"),
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ def test_update_existing_preview(self):
                 "GIT_EMAIL",
                 "Update preview environment for 'my-app' and git hash '3361723dbd91fcfae7b5b8b8b7d462fbc14187a9'.",
             ),
-            call.GitRepo.push("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.push(),
         ]
 
     def test_preview_already_up_to_date(self):
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ def test_preview_already_up_to_date(self):
             call.load_gitops_config(ARGS, "ORGA", "REPO",),
             call.GitRepoApiFactory.create(ARGS, "TEAM_CONFIG_ORG", "TEAM_CONFIG_REPO",),
             call.GitRepo(self.git_repo_api_mock),
-            call.GitRepo.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.clone(),
             call.GitRepo.get_full_file_path("my-app-685912d3-preview"),
             call.os.path.isdir("/tmp/created-tmp-dir/my-app-685912d3-preview"),
             call.logging.info("Use existing folder for preview: %s", "my-app-685912d3-preview"),
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ def test_create_preview_for_unknown_template(self):
             call.load_gitops_config(ARGS, "ORGA", "REPO",),
             call.GitRepoApiFactory.create(ARGS, "TEAM_CONFIG_ORG", "TEAM_CONFIG_REPO",),
             call.GitRepo(self.git_repo_api_mock),
-            call.GitRepo.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.clone(),
             call.GitRepo.get_full_file_path("my-app-685912d3-preview"),
             call.os.path.isdir("/tmp/created-tmp-dir/my-app-685912d3-preview"),
             call.logging.info("Create new folder for preview: %s", "my-app-685912d3-preview"),
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ def test_create_preview_values_yaml_not_found(self):
             call.load_gitops_config(ARGS, "ORGA", "REPO",),
             call.GitRepoApiFactory.create(ARGS, "TEAM_CONFIG_ORG", "TEAM_CONFIG_REPO",),
             call.GitRepo(self.git_repo_api_mock),
-            call.GitRepo.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.clone(),
             call.GitRepo.get_full_file_path("my-app-685912d3-preview"),
             call.os.path.isdir("/tmp/created-tmp-dir/my-app-685912d3-preview"),
             call.logging.info("Use existing folder for preview: %s", "my-app-685912d3-preview"),
@@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ def test_create_preview_values_yaml_parse_error(self):
             call.load_gitops_config(ARGS, "ORGA", "REPO",),
             call.GitRepoApiFactory.create(ARGS, "TEAM_CONFIG_ORG", "TEAM_CONFIG_REPO",),
             call.GitRepo(self.git_repo_api_mock),
-            call.GitRepo.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.clone(),
             call.GitRepo.get_full_file_path("my-app-685912d3-preview"),
             call.os.path.isdir("/tmp/created-tmp-dir/my-app-685912d3-preview"),
             call.logging.info("Use existing folder for preview: %s", "my-app-685912d3-preview"),
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ def test_create_preview_with_invalid_replacement_path(self):
             call.load_gitops_config(ARGS, "ORGA", "REPO",),
             call.GitRepoApiFactory.create(ARGS, "TEAM_CONFIG_ORG", "TEAM_CONFIG_REPO",),
             call.GitRepo(self.git_repo_api_mock),
-            call.GitRepo.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.clone(),
             call.GitRepo.get_full_file_path("my-app-685912d3-preview"),
             call.os.path.isdir("/tmp/created-tmp-dir/my-app-685912d3-preview"),
             call.logging.info("Use existing folder for preview: %s", "my-app-685912d3-preview"),
@@ -334,7 +334,7 @@ def test_create_new_preview_invalid_chart_template(self):
             call.load_gitops_config(ARGS, "ORGA", "REPO",),
             call.GitRepoApiFactory.create(ARGS, "TEAM_CONFIG_ORG", "TEAM_CONFIG_REPO",),
             call.GitRepo(self.git_repo_api_mock),
-            call.GitRepo.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.clone(),
             call.GitRepo.get_full_file_path("my-app-685912d3-preview"),
             call.os.path.isdir("/tmp/created-tmp-dir/my-app-685912d3-preview"),
             call.logging.info("Create new folder for preview: %s", "my-app-685912d3-preview"),
diff --git a/tests/commands/test_delete_preview.py b/tests/commands/test_delete_preview.py
index 3d2a167a..34ea43ed 100644
--- a/tests/commands/test_delete_preview.py
+++ b/tests/commands/test_delete_preview.py
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ def setUp(self):
         self.git_repo_mock.__enter__.return_value = self.git_repo_mock
         self.git_repo_mock.__exit__.return_value = False
         self.git_repo_mock.get_full_file_path.side_effect = lambda x: f"/tmp/created-tmp-dir/{x}"
-        self.git_repo_mock.checkout.return_value = None
+        self.git_repo_mock.clone.return_value = None
         self.git_repo_mock.commit.return_value = None
         self.git_repo_mock.push.return_value = None
 
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ def test_delete_existing_happy_flow(self):
             call.load_gitops_config(args, "ORGA", "REPO"),
             call.GitRepoApiFactory.create(args, "TEAM_CONFIG_ORG", "TEAM_CONFIG_REPO"),
             call.GitRepo(self.git_repo_api_mock),
-            call.GitRepo.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.clone(),
             call.logging.info("Preview folder name: %s", "APP-685912d3-preview"),
             call.GitRepo.get_full_file_path("APP-685912d3-preview"),
             call.os.path.exists("/tmp/created-tmp-dir/APP-685912d3-preview"),
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ def test_delete_existing_happy_flow(self):
             call.GitRepo.commit(
                 "GIT_USER", "GIT_EMAIL", "Delete preview environment for 'APP' and preview id 'PREVIEW_ID'."
             ),
-            call.GitRepo.push("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.push(),
         ]
 
     def test_delete_missing_happy_flow(self):
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ def test_delete_missing_happy_flow(self):
             call.load_gitops_config(args, "ORGA", "REPO"),
             call.GitRepoApiFactory.create(args, "TEAM_CONFIG_ORG", "TEAM_CONFIG_REPO"),
             call.GitRepo(self.git_repo_api_mock),
-            call.GitRepo.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.clone(),
             call.logging.info("Preview folder name: %s", "APP-685912d3-preview"),
             call.GitRepo.get_full_file_path("APP-685912d3-preview"),
             call.os.path.exists("/tmp/created-tmp-dir/APP-685912d3-preview"),
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ def test_delete_missing_but_expected_error(self):
             call.load_gitops_config(args, "ORGA", "REPO"),
             call.GitRepoApiFactory.create(args, "TEAM_CONFIG_ORG", "TEAM_CONFIG_REPO"),
             call.GitRepo(self.git_repo_api_mock),
-            call.GitRepo.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.clone(),
             call.logging.info("Preview folder name: %s", "APP-685912d3-preview"),
             call.GitRepo.get_full_file_path("APP-685912d3-preview"),
             call.os.path.exists("/tmp/created-tmp-dir/APP-685912d3-preview"),
diff --git a/tests/commands/test_deploy.py b/tests/commands/test_deploy.py
index c91b3745..58b496d7 100644
--- a/tests/commands/test_deploy.py
+++ b/tests/commands/test_deploy.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ def setUp(self):
         self.uuid_mock.uuid4.return_value = UUID("b973b5bb-64a6-4735-a840-3113d531b41c")
 
         self.git_repo_api_mock = self.create_mock(GitRepoApi)
-        self.git_repo_api_mock.create_pull_request.return_value = GitRepoApi.PullRequestIdAndUrl(
+        self.git_repo_api_mock.create_pull_request_to_default_branch.return_value = GitRepoApi.PullRequestIdAndUrl(
             42, "<url of dummy pr>"
         )
         self.git_repo_api_mock.merge_pull_request.return_value = None
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ def setUp(self):
         self.git_repo_mock.return_value = self.git_repo_mock
         self.git_repo_mock.__enter__.return_value = self.git_repo_mock
         self.git_repo_mock.__exit__.return_value = False
-        self.git_repo_mock.checkout.return_value = None
+        self.git_repo_mock.clone.return_value = None
         self.git_repo_mock.new_branch.return_value = None
         self.git_repo_mock.commit.return_value = None
         self.git_repo_mock.push.return_value = None
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ def test_happy_flow(self):
         assert self.mock_manager.method_calls == [
             call.GitRepoApiFactory.create(args, "ORGA", "REPO"),
             call.GitRepo(self.git_repo_api_mock),
-            call.GitRepo.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.clone(),
             call.GitRepo.get_full_file_path("test/file.yml"),
             call.update_yaml_file("/tmp/created-tmp-dir/test/file.yml", "a.b.c", "foo"),
             call.logging.info("Updated yaml property %s to %s", "a.b.c", "foo"),
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ def test_happy_flow(self):
             call.update_yaml_file("/tmp/created-tmp-dir/test/file.yml", "a.b.d", "bar"),
             call.logging.info("Updated yaml property %s to %s", "a.b.d", "bar"),
             call.GitRepo.commit("GIT_USER", "GIT_EMAIL", "changed 'a.b.d' to 'bar' in test/file.yml"),
-            call.GitRepo.push("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.push(),
         ]
 
     def test_create_pr_single_value_change_happy_flow(self):
@@ -101,17 +101,16 @@ def test_create_pr_single_value_change_happy_flow(self):
         assert self.mock_manager.method_calls == [
             call.GitRepoApiFactory.create(args, "ORGA", "REPO"),
             call.GitRepo(self.git_repo_api_mock),
-            call.GitRepo.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.clone(),
             call.uuid.uuid4(),
             call.GitRepo.new_branch("gitopscli-deploy-b973b5bb"),
             call.GitRepo.get_full_file_path("test/file.yml"),
             call.update_yaml_file("/tmp/created-tmp-dir/test/file.yml", "a.b.c", "foo"),
             call.logging.info("Updated yaml property %s to %s", "a.b.c", "foo"),
             call.GitRepo.commit("GIT_USER", "GIT_EMAIL", "changed 'a.b.c' to 'foo' in test/file.yml"),
-            call.GitRepo.push("gitopscli-deploy-b973b5bb"),
-            call.GitRepoApi.create_pull_request(
+            call.GitRepo.push(),
+            call.GitRepoApi.create_pull_request_to_default_branch(
                 "gitopscli-deploy-b973b5bb",
-                "master",
                 "Updated value in test/file.yml",
                 "Updated 1 value in `test/file.yml`:\n```yaml\na.b.c: foo\n```\n",
             ),
@@ -139,7 +138,7 @@ def test_create_pr_multiple_value_changes_happy_flow(self):
         assert self.mock_manager.method_calls == [
             call.GitRepoApiFactory.create(args, "ORGA", "REPO"),
             call.GitRepo(self.git_repo_api_mock),
-            call.GitRepo.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.clone(),
             call.uuid.uuid4(),
             call.GitRepo.new_branch("gitopscli-deploy-b973b5bb"),
             call.GitRepo.get_full_file_path("test/file.yml"),
@@ -149,10 +148,9 @@ def test_create_pr_multiple_value_changes_happy_flow(self):
             call.update_yaml_file("/tmp/created-tmp-dir/test/file.yml", "a.b.d", "bar"),
             call.logging.info("Updated yaml property %s to %s", "a.b.d", "bar"),
             call.GitRepo.commit("GIT_USER", "GIT_EMAIL", "changed 'a.b.d' to 'bar' in test/file.yml"),
-            call.GitRepo.push("gitopscli-deploy-b973b5bb"),
-            call.GitRepoApi.create_pull_request(
+            call.GitRepo.push(),
+            call.GitRepoApi.create_pull_request_to_default_branch(
                 "gitopscli-deploy-b973b5bb",
-                "master",
                 "Updated values in test/file.yml",
                 "Updated 2 values in `test/file.yml`:\n```yaml\na.b.c: foo\na.b.d: bar\n```\n",
             ),
@@ -180,7 +178,7 @@ def test_create_pr_and_merge_happy_flow(self):
         assert self.mock_manager.method_calls == [
             call.GitRepoApiFactory.create(args, "ORGA", "REPO"),
             call.GitRepo(self.git_repo_api_mock),
-            call.GitRepo.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.clone(),
             call.uuid.uuid4(),
             call.GitRepo.new_branch("gitopscli-deploy-b973b5bb"),
             call.GitRepo.get_full_file_path("test/file.yml"),
@@ -190,10 +188,9 @@ def test_create_pr_and_merge_happy_flow(self):
             call.update_yaml_file("/tmp/created-tmp-dir/test/file.yml", "a.b.d", "bar"),
             call.logging.info("Updated yaml property %s to %s", "a.b.d", "bar"),
             call.GitRepo.commit("GIT_USER", "GIT_EMAIL", "changed 'a.b.d' to 'bar' in test/file.yml"),
-            call.GitRepo.push("gitopscli-deploy-b973b5bb"),
-            call.GitRepoApi.create_pull_request(
+            call.GitRepo.push(),
+            call.GitRepoApi.create_pull_request_to_default_branch(
                 "gitopscli-deploy-b973b5bb",
-                "master",
                 "Updated values in test/file.yml",
                 "Updated 2 values in `test/file.yml`:\n```yaml\na.b.c: foo\na.b.d: bar\n```\n",
             ),
@@ -223,14 +220,14 @@ def test_single_commit_happy_flow(self):
         assert self.mock_manager.method_calls == [
             call.GitRepoApiFactory.create(args, "ORGA", "REPO"),
             call.GitRepo(self.git_repo_api_mock),
-            call.GitRepo.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.clone(),
             call.GitRepo.get_full_file_path("test/file.yml"),
             call.update_yaml_file("/tmp/created-tmp-dir/test/file.yml", "a.b.c", "foo"),
             call.logging.info("Updated yaml property %s to %s", "a.b.c", "foo"),
             call.update_yaml_file("/tmp/created-tmp-dir/test/file.yml", "a.b.d", "bar"),
             call.logging.info("Updated yaml property %s to %s", "a.b.d", "bar"),
             call.GitRepo.commit("GIT_USER", "GIT_EMAIL", "updated 2 values in test/file.yml\n\na.b.c: foo\na.b.d: bar"),
-            call.GitRepo.push("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.push(),
         ]
 
     def test_single_commit_single_value_change_happy_flow(self):
@@ -255,12 +252,12 @@ def test_single_commit_single_value_change_happy_flow(self):
         assert self.mock_manager.method_calls == [
             call.GitRepoApiFactory.create(args, "ORGA", "REPO"),
             call.GitRepo(self.git_repo_api_mock),
-            call.GitRepo.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.clone(),
             call.GitRepo.get_full_file_path("test/file.yml"),
             call.update_yaml_file("/tmp/created-tmp-dir/test/file.yml", "a.b.c", "foo"),
             call.logging.info("Updated yaml property %s to %s", "a.b.c", "foo"),
             call.GitRepo.commit("GIT_USER", "GIT_EMAIL", "changed 'a.b.c' to 'foo' in test/file.yml"),
-            call.GitRepo.push("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.push(),
         ]
 
     def test_commit_message_multiple_value_changes_happy_flow(self):
@@ -285,19 +282,19 @@ def test_commit_message_multiple_value_changes_happy_flow(self):
         assert self.mock_manager.method_calls == [
             call.GitRepoApiFactory.create(args, "ORGA", "REPO"),
             call.GitRepo(self.git_repo_api_mock),
-            call.GitRepo.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.clone(),
             call.GitRepo.get_full_file_path("test/file.yml"),
             call.update_yaml_file("/tmp/created-tmp-dir/test/file.yml", "a.b.c", "foo"),
             call.logging.info("Updated yaml property %s to %s", "a.b.c", "foo"),
             call.update_yaml_file("/tmp/created-tmp-dir/test/file.yml", "a.b.d", "bar"),
             call.logging.info("Updated yaml property %s to %s", "a.b.d", "bar"),
             call.GitRepo.commit("GIT_USER", "GIT_EMAIL", "testcommit"),
-            call.GitRepo.push("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.push(),
         ]
 
-    def test_checkout_error(self):
-        checkout_exception = GitOpsException("dummy checkout error")
-        self.git_repo_mock.checkout.side_effect = checkout_exception
+    def test_clone_error(self):
+        clone_exception = GitOpsException("dummy clone error")
+        self.git_repo_mock.clone.side_effect = clone_exception
 
         args = DeployCommand.Args(
             file="test/file.yml",
@@ -317,12 +314,12 @@ def test_checkout_error(self):
         )
         with pytest.raises(GitOpsException) as ex:
             DeployCommand(args).execute()
-        self.assertEqual(ex.value, checkout_exception)
+        self.assertEqual(ex.value, clone_exception)
 
         assert self.mock_manager.method_calls == [
             call.GitRepoApiFactory.create(args, "ORGA", "REPO"),
             call.GitRepo(self.git_repo_api_mock),
-            call.GitRepo.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.clone(),
         ]
 
     def test_file_not_found(self):
@@ -351,7 +348,7 @@ def test_file_not_found(self):
         assert self.mock_manager.method_calls == [
             call.GitRepoApiFactory.create(args, "ORGA", "REPO"),
             call.GitRepo(self.git_repo_api_mock),
-            call.GitRepo.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.clone(),
             call.GitRepo.get_full_file_path("test/file.yml"),
             call.update_yaml_file("/tmp/created-tmp-dir/test/file.yml", "a.b.c", "foo"),
         ]
@@ -382,7 +379,7 @@ def test_file_parse_error(self):
         assert self.mock_manager.method_calls == [
             call.GitRepoApiFactory.create(args, "ORGA", "REPO"),
             call.GitRepo(self.git_repo_api_mock),
-            call.GitRepo.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.clone(),
             call.GitRepo.get_full_file_path("test/file.yml"),
             call.update_yaml_file("/tmp/created-tmp-dir/test/file.yml", "a.b.c", "foo"),
         ]
@@ -413,7 +410,7 @@ def test_key_not_found(self):
         assert self.mock_manager.method_calls == [
             call.GitRepoApiFactory.create(args, "ORGA", "REPO"),
             call.GitRepo(self.git_repo_api_mock),
-            call.GitRepo.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.clone(),
             call.GitRepo.get_full_file_path("test/file.yml"),
             call.update_yaml_file("/tmp/created-tmp-dir/test/file.yml", "a.b.c", "foo"),
         ]
@@ -442,7 +439,7 @@ def test_nothing_to_update(self):
         assert self.mock_manager.method_calls == [
             call.GitRepoApiFactory.create(args, "ORGA", "REPO"),
             call.GitRepo(self.git_repo_api_mock),
-            call.GitRepo.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo.clone(),
             call.GitRepo.get_full_file_path("test/file.yml"),
             call.update_yaml_file("/tmp/created-tmp-dir/test/file.yml", "a.b.c", "foo"),
             call.logging.info("Yaml property %s already up-to-date", "a.b.c"),
diff --git a/tests/commands/test_sync_apps.py b/tests/commands/test_sync_apps.py
index 88827532..58d304a6 100644
--- a/tests/commands/test_sync_apps.py
+++ b/tests/commands/test_sync_apps.py
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ def setUp(self):
         self.team_config_git_repo_mock.__enter__.return_value = self.team_config_git_repo_mock
         self.team_config_git_repo_mock.__exit__.return_value = False
         self.team_config_git_repo_mock.get_clone_url.return_value = "https://team.config.repo.git"
-        self.team_config_git_repo_mock.checkout.return_value = None
+        self.team_config_git_repo_mock.clone.return_value = None
         self.team_config_git_repo_mock.get_full_file_path.side_effect = lambda x: f"/tmp/team-config-repo/{x}"
         self.team_config_git_repo_mock.get_author_from_last_commit.return_value = "author"
 
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ def setUp(self):
         self.root_config_git_repo_mock.__exit__.return_value = False
         self.root_config_git_repo_mock.get_full_file_path.side_effect = lambda x: f"/tmp/root-config-repo/{x}"
         self.root_config_git_repo_mock.get_clone_url.return_value = "https://root.config.repo.git"
-        self.root_config_git_repo_mock.checkout.return_value = None
+        self.root_config_git_repo_mock.clone.return_value = None
         self.root_config_git_repo_mock.commit.return_value = None
         self.root_config_git_repo_mock.push.return_value = None
 
@@ -97,14 +97,14 @@ def test_sync_apps_happy_flow(self):
             call.logging.info("Team config repository: %s", "https://team.config.repo.git"),
             call.GitRepo_root.get_clone_url(),
             call.logging.info("Root config repository: %s", "https://root.config.repo.git"),
-            call.GitRepo_team.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo_team.clone(),
             call.GitRepo_team.get_full_file_path("."),
             call.os.listdir("/tmp/team-config-repo/."),
             call.os.path.join("/tmp/team-config-repo/.", "my-app"),
             call.os.path.isdir("/tmp/team-config-repo/./my-app"),
             call.logging.info("Found %s app(s) in apps repository: %s", 1, "my-app"),
             call.logging.info("Searching apps repository in root repository's 'apps/' directory..."),
-            call.GitRepo_root.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo_root.clone(),
             call.GitRepo_root.get_full_file_path("bootstrap/values.yaml"),
             call.yaml_file_load("/tmp/root-config-repo/bootstrap/values.yaml"),
             call.GitRepo_team.get_clone_url(),
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ def test_sync_apps_happy_flow(self):
             call.merge_yaml_element("/tmp/root-config-repo/apps/team-non-prod.yaml", "applications", {"my-app": {}}),
             call.GitRepo_team.get_author_from_last_commit(),
             call.GitRepo_root.commit("GIT_USER", "GIT_EMAIL", "author updated apps/team-non-prod.yaml"),
-            call.GitRepo_root.push("master"),
+            call.GitRepo_root.push(),
         ]
 
     def test_sync_apps_already_up_to_date(self):
@@ -147,14 +147,14 @@ def test_sync_apps_already_up_to_date(self):
             call.logging.info("Team config repository: %s", "https://team.config.repo.git"),
             call.GitRepo_root.get_clone_url(),
             call.logging.info("Root config repository: %s", "https://root.config.repo.git"),
-            call.GitRepo_team.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo_team.clone(),
             call.GitRepo_team.get_full_file_path("."),
             call.os.listdir("/tmp/team-config-repo/."),
             call.os.path.join("/tmp/team-config-repo/.", "my-app"),
             call.os.path.isdir("/tmp/team-config-repo/./my-app"),
             call.logging.info("Found %s app(s) in apps repository: %s", 1, "my-app"),
             call.logging.info("Searching apps repository in root repository's 'apps/' directory..."),
-            call.GitRepo_root.checkout("master"),
+            call.GitRepo_root.clone(),
             call.GitRepo_root.get_full_file_path("bootstrap/values.yaml"),
             call.yaml_file_load("/tmp/root-config-repo/bootstrap/values.yaml"),
             call.GitRepo_team.get_clone_url(),
diff --git a/tests/git/test_git_repo.py b/tests/git/test_git_repo.py
index 9bdc29be..b9830111 100644
--- a/tests/git/test_git_repo.py
+++ b/tests/git/test_git_repo.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 import stat
 import unittest
 import uuid
-from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch, call
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
 from git import Repo
 import pytest
 
@@ -48,12 +48,15 @@ def __create_origin(self):
         repo.git.add("--all")
         repo.git.commit("-m", "xyz brach commit")
 
+        repo.git.checkout("master")  # master = default branch
+        repo.git.config("receive.denyCurrentBranch", "ignore")
+
         return repo
 
     def test_finalize(self):
         testee = GitRepo(self.__mock_repo_api)
 
-        testee.checkout("master")
+        testee.clone()
 
         tmp_dir = testee.get_full_file_path("..")
         self.assertTrue(path.exists(tmp_dir))
@@ -66,7 +69,7 @@ def test_enter_and_exit_magic_methods(self):
 
         self.assertEqual(testee, testee.__enter__())
 
-        testee.checkout("master")
+        testee.clone()
 
         tmp_dir = testee.get_full_file_path("..")
         self.assertTrue(path.exists(tmp_dir))
@@ -75,25 +78,22 @@ def test_enter_and_exit_magic_methods(self):
         self.assertFalse(path.exists(tmp_dir))
 
     @patch("gitopscli.git.git_repo.logging")
-    def test_checkout_without_credentials(self, logging_mock):
+    def test_clone_without_credentials(self, logging_mock):
         with GitRepo(self.__mock_repo_api) as testee:
-            testee.checkout("master")
+            testee.clone()
 
             readme = self.__read_file(testee.get_full_file_path("README.md"))
             self.assertEqual("master branch readme", readme)
 
             self.assertFalse(path.exists(testee.get_full_file_path("../credentials.sh")))
-        assert logging_mock.method_calls == [
-            call.info("Cloning repository: %s", self.__mock_repo_api.get_clone_url()),
-            call.info("Checking out branch: %s", "master"),
-        ]
+        logging_mock.info.assert_called_once_with("Cloning repository: %s", self.__mock_repo_api.get_clone_url())
 
     @patch("gitopscli.git.git_repo.logging")
-    def test_checkout_with_credentials(self, logging_mock):
+    def test_clone_with_credentials(self, logging_mock):
         self.__mock_repo_api.get_username.return_value = "User"
         self.__mock_repo_api.get_password.return_value = "Pass"
         with GitRepo(self.__mock_repo_api) as testee:
-            testee.checkout("master")
+            testee.clone()
 
             credentials_file = self.__read_file(testee.get_full_file_path("../credentials.sh"))
             self.assertEqual(
@@ -104,53 +104,26 @@ def test_checkout_with_credentials(self, logging_mock):
 """,
                 credentials_file,
             )
-        assert logging_mock.method_calls == [
-            call.info("Cloning repository: %s", self.__mock_repo_api.get_clone_url()),
-            call.info("Checking out branch: %s", "master"),
-        ]
-
-    @patch("gitopscli.git.git_repo.logging")
-    def test_checkout_branch(self, logging_mock):
-        with GitRepo(self.__mock_repo_api) as testee:
-            testee.checkout("xyz")
-            readme = self.__read_file(testee.get_full_file_path("README.md"))
-            self.assertEqual("xyz branch readme", readme)
-        assert logging_mock.method_calls == [
-            call.info("Cloning repository: %s", self.__mock_repo_api.get_clone_url()),
-            call.info("Checking out branch: %s", "xyz"),
-        ]
+        logging_mock.info.assert_called_once_with("Cloning repository: %s", self.__mock_repo_api.get_clone_url())
 
     @patch("gitopscli.git.git_repo.logging")
-    def test_checkout_unknown_url(self, logging_mock):
+    def test_clone_unknown_url(self, logging_mock):
         self.__mock_repo_api.get_clone_url.return_value = "invalid_url"
         with GitRepo(self.__mock_repo_api) as testee:
             with pytest.raises(GitOpsException) as ex:
-                testee.checkout("master")
+                testee.clone()
             self.assertEqual("Error cloning 'invalid_url'", str(ex.value))
-        assert logging_mock.method_calls == [
-            call.info("Cloning repository: %s", self.__mock_repo_api.get_clone_url()),
-        ]
-
-    @patch("gitopscli.git.git_repo.logging")
-    def test_checkout_unknown_branch(self, logging_mock):
-        with GitRepo(self.__mock_repo_api) as testee:
-            with pytest.raises(GitOpsException) as ex:
-                testee.checkout("foo")
-            self.assertEqual("Error checking out branch 'foo'", str(ex.value))
-        assert logging_mock.method_calls == [
-            call.info("Cloning repository: %s", self.__mock_repo_api.get_clone_url()),
-            call.info("Checking out branch: %s", "foo"),
-        ]
+        logging_mock.info.assert_called_once_with("Cloning repository: %s", self.__mock_repo_api.get_clone_url())
 
     def test_get_full_file_path(self):
         with GitRepo(self.__mock_repo_api) as testee:
-            testee.checkout("master")
+            testee.clone()
             self.assertRegex(testee.get_full_file_path("foo.bar"), r"^/tmp/gitopscli/[0-9a-f\-]+/repo/foo\.bar$")
 
     @patch("gitopscli.git.git_repo.logging")
     def test_new_branch(self, logging_mock):
         with GitRepo(self.__mock_repo_api) as testee:
-            testee.checkout("master")
+            testee.clone()
             logging_mock.reset_mock()
 
             testee.new_branch("foo")
@@ -163,18 +136,18 @@ def test_new_branch(self, logging_mock):
     @patch("gitopscli.git.git_repo.logging")
     def test_new_branch_name_collision(self, logging_mock):
         with GitRepo(self.__mock_repo_api) as testee:
-            testee.checkout("master")
+            testee.clone()
             logging_mock.reset_mock()
 
             with pytest.raises(GitOpsException) as ex:
-                testee.new_branch("xyz")
-            self.assertEqual("Error creating new branch 'xyz'.", str(ex.value))
-        logging_mock.info.assert_called_once_with("Creating new branch: %s", "xyz")
+                testee.new_branch("master")
+            self.assertEqual("Error creating new branch 'master'.", str(ex.value))
+        logging_mock.info.assert_called_once_with("Creating new branch: %s", "master")
 
     @patch("gitopscli.git.git_repo.logging")
     def test_commit(self, logging_mock):
         with GitRepo(self.__mock_repo_api) as testee:
-            testee.checkout("master")
+            testee.clone()
             logging_mock.reset_mock()
 
             with open(testee.get_full_file_path("foo.md"), "w") as outfile:
@@ -196,7 +169,7 @@ def test_commit(self, logging_mock):
     @patch("gitopscli.git.git_repo.logging")
     def test_commit_nothing_to_commit(self, logging_mock):
         with GitRepo(self.__mock_repo_api) as testee:
-            testee.checkout("master")
+            testee.clone()
             logging_mock.reset_mock()
 
             testee.commit(git_user="john doe", git_email="john@doe.com", message="empty commit")
@@ -210,7 +183,7 @@ def test_commit_nothing_to_commit(self, logging_mock):
     @patch("gitopscli.git.git_repo.logging")
     def test_push(self, logging_mock):
         with GitRepo(self.__mock_repo_api) as testee:
-            testee.checkout("master")
+            testee.clone()
 
             with open(testee.get_full_file_path("foo.md"), "w") as readme:
                 readme.write("new file")
@@ -231,16 +204,26 @@ def test_push(self, logging_mock):
     @patch("gitopscli.git.git_repo.logging")
     def test_push_no_changes(self, logging_mock):
         with GitRepo(self.__mock_repo_api) as testee:
-            testee.checkout("master")
+            testee.clone()
             logging_mock.reset_mock()
 
             testee.push("master")
         logging_mock.info.assert_called_once_with("Pushing branch: %s", "master")
 
+    @patch("gitopscli.git.git_repo.logging")
+    def test_push_current_branch(self, logging_mock):
+        with GitRepo(self.__mock_repo_api) as testee:
+            testee.clone()
+            testee.new_branch("foo")
+            logging_mock.reset_mock()
+
+            testee.push()  # current branch
+        logging_mock.info.assert_called_once_with("Pushing branch: %s", "foo")
+
     @patch("gitopscli.git.git_repo.logging")
     def test_push_unknown_branch(self, logging_mock):
         with GitRepo(self.__mock_repo_api) as testee:
-            testee.checkout("master")
+            testee.clone()
             logging_mock.reset_mock()
 
             with pytest.raises(GitOpsException) as ex:
@@ -256,7 +239,7 @@ def test_push_commit_hook_error_reason_is_shown(self, logging_mock):
         chmod(f"{repo_dir}/.git/hooks/pre-receive", stat.S_IRUSR | stat.S_IWUSR | stat.S_IXUSR)
 
         with GitRepo(self.__mock_repo_api) as testee:
-            testee.checkout("master")
+            testee.clone()
 
             with open(testee.get_full_file_path("foo.md"), "w") as readme:
                 readme.write("new file")
@@ -274,5 +257,5 @@ def test_push_commit_hook_error_reason_is_shown(self, logging_mock):
 
     def test_get_author_from_last_commit(self):
         with GitRepo(self.__mock_repo_api) as testee:
-            testee.checkout("master")
+            testee.clone()
             self.assertEqual("unit tester <unit@tester.com>", testee.get_author_from_last_commit())
diff --git a/tests/git/test_git_repo_api_logging_proxy.py b/tests/git/test_git_repo_api_logging_proxy.py
index d0f7d1c0..0bc9a185 100644
--- a/tests/git/test_git_repo_api_logging_proxy.py
+++ b/tests/git/test_git_repo_api_logging_proxy.py
@@ -54,6 +54,23 @@ def test_create_pull_request(self, logging_mock):
             "Creating pull request from '%s' to '%s' with title: %s", "<from branch>", "<to branch>", "<title>",
         )
 
+    @patch("gitopscli.git.git_repo_api_logging_proxy.logging")
+    def test_create_pull_request_to_default_branch(self, logging_mock):
+        expected_return_value = GitRepoApi.PullRequestIdAndUrl(42, "<url>")
+        self.__mock_repo_api.create_pull_request_to_default_branch.return_value = expected_return_value
+
+        actual_return_value = self.__testee.create_pull_request_to_default_branch(
+            from_branch="<from branch>", title="<title>", description="<description>"
+        )
+
+        self.assertEqual(actual_return_value, expected_return_value)
+        self.__mock_repo_api.create_pull_request_to_default_branch.assert_called_once_with(
+            "<from branch>", "<title>", "<description>"
+        )
+        logging_mock.info.assert_called_once_with(
+            "Creating pull request from '%s' to default branch with title: %s", "<from branch>", "<title>",
+        )
+
     @patch("gitopscli.git.git_repo_api_logging_proxy.logging")
     def test_merge_pull_request(self, logging_mock):
         self.__testee.merge_pull_request(pr_id=42)