Git Workflow for Development Teams

Introduction

A well-defined Git workflow is essential for team collaboration. It ensures code quality, reduces conflicts, and streamlines the development process.

1. Git Flow

Git Flow uses multiple branches for features, releases, and hotfixes. It's ideal for projects with scheduled releases and multiple versions in production.

2. GitHub Flow

A simpler alternative where you branch from main, make changes, open a pull request, and merge after review. Perfect for continuous deployment.

3. Trunk-Based Development

Developers work on short-lived feature branches and merge frequently to the main branch. Requires good CI/CD and feature flags.

4. Commit Message Best Practices

Write clear, descriptive commit messages. Use conventional commits format: type(scope): description. Example: feat(auth): add password reset flow.

5. Code Review Process

All code should be reviewed before merging. Use pull request templates, require approvals, and run automated tests on every PR.

6. Branch Naming Conventions

Use consistent naming: feature/description, bugfix/description, hotfix/description. Include ticket numbers if applicable.

Conclusion

Choose a Git workflow that fits your team size and release cadence. Consistency is more important than which specific workflow you choose.