diff --git a/01-essentials/04-merge-conflict/setup.ps1 b/01-essentials/04-merge-conflict/setup.ps1
index 86fa42d..5775cbd 100644
--- a/01-essentials/04-merge-conflict/setup.ps1
+++ b/01-essentials/04-merge-conflict/setup.ps1
@@ -30,6 +30,19 @@ git init | Out-Null
 git config user.name "Workshop Student"
 git config user.email "student@example.com"
 
+# Detect the default branch name (could be main, master, etc.)
+# First commit creates the branch, so we detect it after that
+$mainBranch = git branch --show-current
+if (-not $mainBranch) {
+    # Fallback: Get default branch name from git config
+    $mainBranch = git config --get init.defaultBranch
+    if (-not $mainBranch) {
+        # Ultimate fallback: use "main"
+        $mainBranch = "main"
+    }
+}
+Write-Host "Default branch detected: $mainBranch" -ForegroundColor Yellow
+
 # ============================================================================
 # Create base project
 # ============================================================================
@@ -87,7 +100,7 @@ git commit -m "Add timeout configuration" | Out-Null
 # Branch 2: add-debug (adds debug setting - CONFLICTS with timeout!)
 # ============================================================================
 Write-Host "Creating add-debug branch..." -ForegroundColor Cyan
-git switch main | Out-Null
+git switch $mainBranch | Out-Null
 git switch -c add-debug | Out-Null
 
 $debugConfig = @"
@@ -104,8 +117,8 @@ Set-Content -Path "config.json" -Value $debugConfig
 git add .
 git commit -m "Add debug mode configuration" | Out-Null
 
-# Switch back to main
-git switch main | Out-Null
+# Switch back to main branch
+git switch $mainBranch | Out-Null
 
 # Return to module directory
 Set-Location ..
@@ -113,7 +126,7 @@ Set-Location ..
 Write-Host "`n=== Setup Complete! ===" -ForegroundColor Green
 Write-Host "`nYour challenge environment is ready in the 'challenge/' directory." -ForegroundColor Cyan
 Write-Host "`nThe repository contains:" -ForegroundColor Yellow
-Write-Host "  - main branch: base configuration" -ForegroundColor White
+Write-Host "  - $mainBranch branch: base configuration" -ForegroundColor White
 Write-Host "  - add-timeout branch: adds timeout setting" -ForegroundColor White
 Write-Host "  - add-debug branch: adds debug setting" -ForegroundColor White
 Write-Host "`nBoth branches modify the same part of config.json!" -ForegroundColor Red
diff --git a/01-essentials/04-merge-conflict/verify.ps1 b/01-essentials/04-merge-conflict/verify.ps1
index 8a04114..739442e 100644
--- a/01-essentials/04-merge-conflict/verify.ps1
+++ b/01-essentials/04-merge-conflict/verify.ps1
@@ -59,15 +59,39 @@ if (-not (Test-Path ".git")) {
 
 Write-Host "`n=== Verifying Module 04: Merge Conflicts ===" -ForegroundColor Cyan
 
+# ============================================================================
+# Detect the main branch name (could be main, master, etc.)
+# ============================================================================
+# Try to get the default branch from remote origin first
+$mainBranch = git symbolic-ref refs/remotes/origin/HEAD 2>$null | Split-Path -Leaf
+if (-not $mainBranch) {
+    # Fallback: try to detect from local branches
+    $allBranches = git branch --list 2>$null | ForEach-Object { $_.Trim('* ') }
+    if ($allBranches -contains "main") {
+        $mainBranch = "main"
+    } elseif ($allBranches -contains "master") {
+        $mainBranch = "master"
+    } else {
+        # Get the default branch from git config
+        $mainBranch = git config --get init.defaultBranch
+        if (-not $mainBranch) {
+            # Ultimate fallback: use the first branch
+            $mainBranch = $allBranches | Select-Object -First 1
+            if (-not $mainBranch) { $mainBranch = "main" }
+        }
+    }
+}
+Write-Host "Detected main branch: $mainBranch" -ForegroundColor Cyan
+
 # ============================================================================
 # Check current branch
 # ============================================================================
 $currentBranch = git branch --show-current 2>$null
-if ($currentBranch -eq "main") {
-    Write-Pass "Currently on main branch"
+if ($currentBranch -eq $mainBranch) {
+    Write-Pass "Currently on $mainBranch branch"
 } else {
-    Write-Fail "Should be on main branch (currently on: $currentBranch)"
-    Write-Hint "Switch to main with: git switch main"
+    Write-Fail "Should be on $mainBranch branch (currently on: $currentBranch)"
+    Write-Hint "Switch to $mainBranch with: git switch $mainBranch"
 }
 
 # ============================================================================
@@ -196,7 +220,7 @@ if ($script:allChecksPassed) {
     Write-Host "[SUMMARY] Some checks failed. Review the hints above." -ForegroundColor Red
     Write-Host ""
     Write-Host "Quick guide:" -ForegroundColor Cyan
-    Write-Host "  1. Make sure you're on main: git switch main" -ForegroundColor White
+    Write-Host "  1. Make sure you're on $mainBranch : git switch $mainBranch" -ForegroundColor White
     Write-Host "  2. Merge first branch: git merge add-timeout" -ForegroundColor White
     Write-Host "  3. Merge second branch: git merge add-debug" -ForegroundColor White
     Write-Host "  4. Resolve conflict: edit config.json, remove markers, keep both settings" -ForegroundColor White
diff --git a/01-essentials/05-cherry-pick/setup.ps1 b/01-essentials/05-cherry-pick/setup.ps1
index 879936f..5dfa6df 100644
--- a/01-essentials/05-cherry-pick/setup.ps1
+++ b/01-essentials/05-cherry-pick/setup.ps1
@@ -26,7 +26,8 @@ git init | Out-Null
 git config user.name "Workshop User" | Out-Null
 git config user.email "user@workshop.local" | Out-Null
 
-# Create initial commits on main branch
+# Detect the default branch name (could be main, master, etc.)
+# First commit creates the branch, so we detect it after the first commit below
 $app = @"
 class App:
     def __init__(self):
@@ -40,6 +41,14 @@ Set-Content -Path "app.py" -Value $app
 git add app.py
 git commit -m "Initial app implementation" | Out-Null
 
+# Detect the main branch name after first commit
+$mainBranch = git branch --show-current
+if (-not $mainBranch) {
+    $mainBranch = git config --get init.defaultBranch
+    if (-not $mainBranch) { $mainBranch = "main" }
+}
+Write-Host "Default branch detected: $mainBranch" -ForegroundColor Yellow
+
 $readme = @"
 # Application
 
@@ -164,12 +173,13 @@ Write-Host "========================================" -ForegroundColor Green
 Write-Host "`nYou are on the 'development' branch with multiple commits:" -ForegroundColor Cyan
 Write-Host "- Experimental features (not ready for production)" -ForegroundColor Yellow
 Write-Host "- Critical bug fixes (needed in production NOW)" -ForegroundColor Green
+Write-Host "`nDetected main branch: $mainBranch" -ForegroundColor Cyan
 Write-Host "`nYour task:" -ForegroundColor Yellow
 Write-Host "1. Navigate to the challenge directory: cd challenge" -ForegroundColor White
 Write-Host "2. View the development branch commits: git log --oneline" -ForegroundColor White
 Write-Host "3. Identify which commits are bug fixes (look for 'Fix' in messages)" -ForegroundColor White
-Write-Host "4. Switch to main branch: git checkout main" -ForegroundColor White
-Write-Host "5. Cherry-pick ONLY the bug fix commits to main" -ForegroundColor White
-Write-Host "6. Do NOT bring the experimental features to main" -ForegroundColor White
+Write-Host "4. Switch to $mainBranch branch: git checkout $mainBranch" -ForegroundColor White
+Write-Host "5. Cherry-pick ONLY the bug fix commits to $mainBranch" -ForegroundColor White
+Write-Host "6. Do NOT bring the experimental features to $mainBranch" -ForegroundColor White
 Write-Host "`nHint: Look for commits mentioning 'security' and 'performance' fixes" -ForegroundColor Cyan
 Write-Host "Run '../verify.ps1' from the challenge directory to check your solution.`n" -ForegroundColor Cyan
diff --git a/01-essentials/05-cherry-pick/verify.ps1 b/01-essentials/05-cherry-pick/verify.ps1
index 2512222..7449dbc 100644
--- a/01-essentials/05-cherry-pick/verify.ps1
+++ b/01-essentials/05-cherry-pick/verify.ps1
@@ -32,12 +32,27 @@ if (-not (Test-Path ".git")) {
     exit 1
 }
 
+# Detect the main branch name
+$allBranches = git branch --list 2>$null | ForEach-Object { $_.Trim('* ') }
+if ($allBranches -contains "main") {
+    $mainBranch = "main"
+} elseif ($allBranches -contains "master") {
+    $mainBranch = "master"
+} else {
+    $mainBranch = git config --get init.defaultBranch
+    if (-not $mainBranch) {
+        $mainBranch = $allBranches | Select-Object -First 1
+        if (-not $mainBranch) { $mainBranch = "main" }
+    }
+}
+Write-Host "Detected main branch: $mainBranch" -ForegroundColor Cyan
+
 # Check current branch
 $currentBranch = git branch --show-current 2>$null
-if ($currentBranch -ne "main") {
-    Write-Host "[FAIL] You should be on the 'main' branch." -ForegroundColor Red
+if ($currentBranch -ne $mainBranch) {
+    Write-Host "[FAIL] You should be on the '$mainBranch' branch." -ForegroundColor Red
     Write-Host "Current branch: $currentBranch" -ForegroundColor Yellow
-    Write-Host "Hint: Use 'git checkout main' to switch to main branch" -ForegroundColor Yellow
+    Write-Host "Hint: Use 'git checkout $mainBranch' to switch to $mainBranch branch" -ForegroundColor Yellow
     Set-Location ..
     exit 1
 }
@@ -54,15 +69,15 @@ if (Test-Path ".git/CHERRY_PICK_HEAD") {
 }
 
 # Check commit count on main (should be 4: 2 initial + 2 cherry-picked)
-$mainCommitCount = (git rev-list --count main 2>$null)
+$mainCommitCount = (git rev-list --count $mainBranch 2>$null)
 if ($mainCommitCount -ne 4) {
-    Write-Host "[FAIL] Expected 4 commits on main branch, found $mainCommitCount" -ForegroundColor Red
+    Write-Host "[FAIL] Expected 4 commits on $mainBranch branch, found $mainCommitCount" -ForegroundColor Red
     if ($mainCommitCount -lt 4) {
-        Write-Host "Hint: You should cherry-pick 2 bug fix commits to main" -ForegroundColor Yellow
+        Write-Host "Hint: You should cherry-pick 2 bug fix commits to $mainBranch" -ForegroundColor Yellow
     } else {
         Write-Host "Hint: You should cherry-pick ONLY the 2 bug fix commits, not all commits" -ForegroundColor Yellow
     }
-    Write-Host "`nExpected commits on main:" -ForegroundColor Yellow
+    Write-Host "`nExpected commits on $mainBranch:" -ForegroundColor Yellow
     Write-Host "  1. Initial app implementation" -ForegroundColor White
     Write-Host "  2. Add README" -ForegroundColor White
     Write-Host "  3. Fix security vulnerability in input validation (cherry-picked)" -ForegroundColor White
@@ -72,9 +87,9 @@ if ($mainCommitCount -ne 4) {
 }
 
 # Check for merge commits (should be none - cherry-pick doesn't create merge commits)
-$mergeCommits = git log --merges --oneline main 2>$null
+$mergeCommits = git log --merges --oneline $mainBranch 2>$null
 if ($mergeCommits) {
-    Write-Host "[FAIL] Found merge commits on main. You should use cherry-pick, not merge." -ForegroundColor Red
+    Write-Host "[FAIL] Found merge commits on $mainBranch. You should use cherry-pick, not merge." -ForegroundColor Red
     Write-Host "Hint: Use 'git cherry-pick <commit-hash>' instead of 'git merge'" -ForegroundColor Yellow
     Set-Location ..
     exit 1
@@ -82,7 +97,7 @@ if ($mergeCommits) {
 
 # Check that security.py exists (from the security fix commit)
 if (-not (Test-Path "security.py")) {
-    Write-Host "[FAIL] security.py not found on main branch." -ForegroundColor Red
+    Write-Host "[FAIL] security.py not found on $mainBranch branch." -ForegroundColor Red
     Write-Host "Hint: You need to cherry-pick the 'Fix security vulnerability' commit" -ForegroundColor Yellow
     Set-Location ..
     exit 1
@@ -151,7 +166,7 @@ if ($appContent -match "enable_experimental_features") {
 }
 
 # Check commit messages to verify cherry-picks
-$commits = git log --pretty=format:"%s" main 2>$null
+$commits = git log --pretty=format:"%s" $mainBranch 2>$null
 $commitArray = $commits -split "`n"
 
 $hasSecurityFix = $false
@@ -167,14 +182,14 @@ foreach ($commit in $commitArray) {
 }
 
 if (-not $hasSecurityFix) {
-    Write-Host "[FAIL] Security fix commit not found on main branch." -ForegroundColor Red
+    Write-Host "[FAIL] Security fix commit not found on $mainBranch branch." -ForegroundColor Red
     Write-Host "Hint: Cherry-pick the 'Fix security vulnerability' commit from development" -ForegroundColor Yellow
     Set-Location ..
     exit 1
 }
 
 if (-not $hasPerformanceFix) {
-    Write-Host "[FAIL] Performance fix commit not found on main branch." -ForegroundColor Red
+    Write-Host "[FAIL] Performance fix commit not found on $mainBranch branch." -ForegroundColor Red
     Write-Host "Hint: Cherry-pick the 'Fix performance issue' commit from development" -ForegroundColor Yellow
     Set-Location ..
     exit 1
@@ -194,8 +209,8 @@ Write-Host "`n========================================" -ForegroundColor Green
 Write-Host "SUCCESS! Challenge completed!" -ForegroundColor Green
 Write-Host "========================================" -ForegroundColor Green
 Write-Host "`nYou have successfully:" -ForegroundColor Cyan
-Write-Host "- Cherry-picked the security vulnerability fix to main" -ForegroundColor White
-Write-Host "- Cherry-picked the performance issue fix to main" -ForegroundColor White
+Write-Host "- Cherry-picked the security vulnerability fix to $mainBranch" -ForegroundColor White
+Write-Host "- Cherry-picked the performance issue fix to $mainBranch" -ForegroundColor White
 Write-Host "- Left experimental features on development branch only" -ForegroundColor White
 Write-Host "- Kept development branch intact with all commits" -ForegroundColor White
 Write-Host "`nPerfect use of cherry-pick!" -ForegroundColor Green
diff --git a/01-essentials/06-revert/setup.ps1 b/01-essentials/06-revert/setup.ps1
index f3e3911..b481baa 100644
--- a/01-essentials/06-revert/setup.ps1
+++ b/01-essentials/06-revert/setup.ps1
@@ -32,6 +32,9 @@ git init | Out-Null
 git config user.name "Workshop Student"
 git config user.email "student@example.com"
 
+# Detect the default branch name after first commit (created below)
+# Will be detected after the initial commit in SCENARIO 1
+
 # ============================================================================
 # SCENARIO 1: Regular Revert (Basic)
 # ============================================================================
@@ -53,6 +56,14 @@ Set-Content -Path "calculator.py" -Value $calcContent
 git add .
 git commit -m "Initial calculator implementation" | Out-Null
 
+# Detect the main branch name after first commit
+$mainBranch = git branch --show-current
+if (-not $mainBranch) {
+    $mainBranch = git config --get init.defaultBranch
+    if (-not $mainBranch) { $mainBranch = "main" }
+}
+Write-Host "Default branch detected: $mainBranch" -ForegroundColor Yellow
+
 # Create regular-revert branch
 git switch -c regular-revert | Out-Null
 
@@ -136,7 +147,7 @@ Write-Host "[CREATED] regular-revert branch with bad divide commit" -ForegroundC
 Write-Host "`nScenario 2: Creating merge-revert scenario..." -ForegroundColor Cyan
 
 # Switch back to main
-git switch main | Out-Null
+git switch $mainBranch | Out-Null
 
 # Create merge-revert branch
 git switch -c merge-revert | Out-Null
@@ -222,7 +233,7 @@ Write-Host "[CREATED] merge-revert branch with merge commit to revert" -Foregrou
 Write-Host "`nScenario 3: Creating multi-revert branch..." -ForegroundColor Cyan
 
 # Switch back to main
-git switch main | Out-Null
+git switch $mainBranch | Out-Null
 
 # Create multi-revert branch
 git switch -c multi-revert | Out-Null
diff --git a/01-essentials/07-reset/setup.ps1 b/01-essentials/07-reset/setup.ps1
index 52ebf47..ccdaf38 100644
--- a/01-essentials/07-reset/setup.ps1
+++ b/01-essentials/07-reset/setup.ps1
@@ -33,6 +33,9 @@ git init | Out-Null
 git config user.name "Workshop Student"
 git config user.email "student@example.com"
 
+# Detect the default branch name after first commit (created below)
+# Will be detected after the initial commit
+
 # ============================================================================
 # Create initial commit (shared by all scenarios)
 # ============================================================================
@@ -45,6 +48,14 @@ Set-Content -Path "README.md" -Value $readmeContent
 git add .
 git commit -m "Initial commit" | Out-Null
 
+# Detect the main branch name after first commit
+$mainBranch = git branch --show-current
+if (-not $mainBranch) {
+    $mainBranch = git config --get init.defaultBranch
+    if (-not $mainBranch) { $mainBranch = "main" }
+}
+Write-Host "Default branch detected: $mainBranch" -ForegroundColor Yellow
+
 # ============================================================================
 # SCENARIO 1: Soft Reset (--soft)
 # ============================================================================
@@ -155,7 +166,7 @@ Write-Host "[CREATED] soft-reset branch with commit to reset --soft" -Foreground
 Write-Host "`nScenario 2: Creating mixed-reset branch..." -ForegroundColor Cyan
 
 # Switch back to initial commit and create mixed-reset branch
-git switch main | Out-Null
+git switch $mainBranch | Out-Null
 git switch -c mixed-reset | Out-Null
 
 # Build up scenario 2 commits
@@ -256,7 +267,7 @@ Write-Host "[CREATED] mixed-reset branch with commits to reset --mixed" -Foregro
 Write-Host "`nScenario 3: Creating hard-reset branch..." -ForegroundColor Cyan
 
 # Switch back to main and create hard-reset branch
-git switch main | Out-Null
+git switch $mainBranch | Out-Null
 git switch -c hard-reset | Out-Null
 
 # Reset to basic state
diff --git a/01-essentials/08-stash/setup.ps1 b/01-essentials/08-stash/setup.ps1
index 80481b3..c4f09d1 100644
--- a/01-essentials/08-stash/setup.ps1
+++ b/01-essentials/08-stash/setup.ps1
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@ git init | Out-Null
 git config user.name "Workshop User" | Out-Null
 git config user.email "user@workshop.local" | Out-Null
 
+# Detect the default branch name after first commit (created below)
+# Will be detected after the initial commit
+
 # Create initial application on main
 $app = @"
 class Application:
@@ -45,6 +48,14 @@ Set-Content -Path "app.py" -Value $app
 git add app.py
 git commit -m "Initial application" | Out-Null
 
+# Detect the main branch name after first commit
+$mainBranch = git branch --show-current
+if (-not $mainBranch) {
+    $mainBranch = git config --get init.defaultBranch
+    if (-not $mainBranch) { $mainBranch = "main" }
+}
+Write-Host "Default branch detected: $mainBranch" -ForegroundColor Yellow
+
 $readme = @"
 # MyApp
 
@@ -78,7 +89,7 @@ git add login.py
 git commit -m "Start login service implementation" | Out-Null
 
 # Add a critical bug to main branch (simulating a bug that was introduced)
-git checkout main | Out-Null
+git checkout $mainBranch | Out-Null
 
 $appWithBug = @"
 class Application:
@@ -140,13 +151,14 @@ Write-Host "========================================" -ForegroundColor Green
 Write-Host "`nSituation:" -ForegroundColor Cyan
 Write-Host "You're working on the login feature (feature-login branch)" -ForegroundColor White
 Write-Host "You have uncommitted changes - the feature is NOT complete yet" -ForegroundColor Yellow
-Write-Host "`nUrgent: A critical security bug was found in production (main branch)!" -ForegroundColor Red
+Write-Host "`nUrgent: A critical security bug was found in production ($mainBranch branch)!" -ForegroundColor Red
 Write-Host "You need to fix it immediately, but your current work isn't ready to commit." -ForegroundColor Red
+Write-Host "`nDetected main branch: $mainBranch" -ForegroundColor Cyan
 Write-Host "`nYour task:" -ForegroundColor Yellow
 Write-Host "1. Navigate to the challenge directory: cd challenge" -ForegroundColor White
 Write-Host "2. Check your status: git status (see uncommitted changes)" -ForegroundColor White
 Write-Host "3. Stash your work: git stash save 'WIP: login feature'" -ForegroundColor White
-Write-Host "4. Switch to main: git checkout main" -ForegroundColor White
+Write-Host "4. Switch to $mainBranch: git checkout $mainBranch" -ForegroundColor White
 Write-Host "5. Fix the security bug in app.py (remove the comment and fix the auth)" -ForegroundColor White
 Write-Host "6. Commit the fix: git add app.py && git commit -m 'Fix critical security bug'" -ForegroundColor White
 Write-Host "7. Switch back: git checkout feature-login" -ForegroundColor White
diff --git a/01-essentials/08-stash/verify.ps1 b/01-essentials/08-stash/verify.ps1
index 8c517d9..312ab2e 100644
--- a/01-essentials/08-stash/verify.ps1
+++ b/01-essentials/08-stash/verify.ps1
@@ -32,6 +32,21 @@ if (-not (Test-Path ".git")) {
     exit 1
 }
 
+# Detect the main branch name
+$allBranches = git branch --list 2>$null | ForEach-Object { $_.Trim('* ') }
+if ($allBranches -contains "main") {
+    $mainBranch = "main"
+} elseif ($allBranches -contains "master") {
+    $mainBranch = "master"
+} else {
+    $mainBranch = git config --get init.defaultBranch
+    if (-not $mainBranch) {
+        $mainBranch = $allBranches | Select-Object -First 1
+        if (-not $mainBranch) { $mainBranch = "main" }
+    }
+}
+Write-Host "Detected main branch: $mainBranch" -ForegroundColor Cyan
+
 # Check current branch
 $currentBranch = git branch --show-current 2>$null
 if ($currentBranch -ne "feature-login") {
@@ -53,14 +68,14 @@ if ($status) {
 }
 
 # Verify main branch has the security fix
-Write-Host "`nChecking main branch for bug fix..." -ForegroundColor Cyan
-git checkout main 2>$null | Out-Null
+Write-Host "`nChecking $mainBranch branch for bug fix..." -ForegroundColor Cyan
+git checkout $mainBranch 2>$null | Out-Null
 
 # Check for bug fix commit
-$mainCommits = git log --pretty=format:"%s" main 2>$null
+$mainCommits = git log --pretty=format:"%s" $mainBranch 2>$null
 if ($mainCommits -notmatch "security bug|Fix.*bug|security fix") {
-    Write-Host "[FAIL] No security bug fix commit found on main branch." -ForegroundColor Red
-    Write-Host "Hint: After stashing, switch to main and commit a bug fix" -ForegroundColor Yellow
+    Write-Host "[FAIL] No security bug fix commit found on $mainBranch branch." -ForegroundColor Red
+    Write-Host "Hint: After stashing, switch to $mainBranch and commit a bug fix" -ForegroundColor Yellow
     git checkout feature-login 2>$null | Out-Null
     Set-Location ..
     exit 1
@@ -68,7 +83,7 @@ if ($mainCommits -notmatch "security bug|Fix.*bug|security fix") {
 
 # Check that app.py has been fixed
 if (-not (Test-Path "app.py")) {
-    Write-Host "[FAIL] app.py not found on main branch." -ForegroundColor Red
+    Write-Host "[FAIL] app.py not found on $mainBranch branch." -ForegroundColor Red
     git checkout feature-login 2>$null | Out-Null
     Set-Location ..
     exit 1