diff --git a/.github/MAINTAINERS_GUIDE.md b/.github/MAINTAINERS_GUIDE.md
index ebc2dbb7..20830fc0 100644
--- a/.github/MAINTAINERS_GUIDE.md
+++ b/.github/MAINTAINERS_GUIDE.md
@@ -638,7 +638,7 @@ When commands or flags need to be removed, follow these steps:
 - Recommend alternative flags if available (ex: `internal/config/flags.go`)
 - Hide the flag from help menus with the `.Hidden` attribute
 - Optionally use the recommended flag whenever possible
-- Somehow mark the command for removal in the next major version
+- Somehow mark the flag for removal in the next major version
 
 </details>
 
diff --git a/cmd/project/samples.go b/cmd/project/samples.go
index 05c3b310..9d91d71e 100644
--- a/cmd/project/samples.go
+++ b/cmd/project/samples.go
@@ -56,8 +56,13 @@ func NewSamplesCommand(clients *shared.ClientFactory) *cobra.Command {
 		},
 	}
 
-	cmd.Flags().StringVarP(&samplesTemplateURLFlag, "template", "t", "", "template URL for your app")
+	// DEPRECATED(semver:major): Prefer the create command when repository details are known
 	cmd.Flags().StringVarP(&samplesGitBranchFlag, "branch", "b", "", "name of git branch to checkout")
+	cmd.Flag("branch").Hidden = true
+	// DEPRECATED(semver:major): Prefer the create command when repository details are known
+	cmd.Flags().StringVarP(&samplesTemplateURLFlag, "template", "t", "", "template URL for your app")
+	cmd.Flag("template").Hidden = true
+
 	cmd.Flags().StringVar(&samplesLanguageFlag, "language", "", "runtime for the app framework\n  ex: \"deno\", \"node\", \"python\"")
 	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&samplesListFlag, "list", false, "prints samples without interactivity")
 
@@ -67,6 +72,12 @@ func NewSamplesCommand(clients *shared.ClientFactory) *cobra.Command {
 // runSamplesCommand prompts for a sample then clones with the create command
 func runSamplesCommand(clients *shared.ClientFactory, cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 	ctx := cmd.Context()
+
+	// DEPRECATED(semver:major): Prefer the create command when repository details are known
+	if cmd.Flag("branch").Changed || cmd.Flag("template").Changed {
+		clients.IO.PrintWarning(ctx, "DEPRECATED: The `--branch` and `--template` flags are deprecated for the `samples` command; use the `create` command instead")
+	}
+
 	sampler := api.NewHTTPClient(api.HTTPClientOptions{
 		TotalTimeOut: 60 * time.Second,
 	})