Merge branch 'docs/branches' into 'master'

Document the Delete Merged Branches functionality

See merge request !12217

changelogs/unreleased/33445-document-delete-merge-branches-won-t-touch-protected-branches-docs.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+---
+title: Document the Delete Merged Branches functionality
+merge_request:
+author:

doc/README.md

@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ Manage files and branches from the UI (user interface):
 - Branches
   - [Create a branch](user/project/repository/web_editor.md#create-a-new-branch)
   - [Protected branches](user/project/protected_branches.md#protected-branches)
+  - [Delete merged branches](user/project/repository/branches/index.md#delete-merged-branches)
 
 ### Issues and Merge Requests (MRs)
 

doc/api/branches.md

@@ -251,6 +251,8 @@ curl --request DELETE --header "PRIVATE-TOKEN: 9koXpg98eAheJpvBs5tK" "https://gi
 
 Will delete all branches that are merged into the project's default branch.
 
+Protected branches will not be deleted as part of this operation.
+
 ```
 DELETE /projects/:id/repository/merged_branches
 ```

doc/user/project/repository/branches/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+# 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