5 Git Workflows to Improve Your Version Control

Using an efficient Git branching model and workflow can streamline development and collaboration for teams. Here we'll explore 5 popular Git workflows - Gitflow, GitHub flow, GitLab flow, trunk-based development, and Git feature branching workflow.

Gitflow Workflow

The Gitflow workflow defines a strict branching model designed for projects with scheduled releases. It has a master branch and a develop branch that run parallel.?

Feature branches split off from develop and merge back after completion. Release branches are cut from develop to prepare release candidates, then merged into master and develop. Hotfixes directly target the production master branch.

This provides structure for larger teams and projects. However, frequent merging can lead to integration issues.

GitHub Flow

The GitHub flow is lightweight and focuses on rapid iteration in teams. The default branch is simply called main and all new feature development happens directly on top.?

Features should be small and released in minimum viable increments. Any feature can be merged into main after review with no release scheduling.

This enables continuous delivery and leverages pull requests for easy discussion and reviews. But it lacks formal release management.

GitLab Flow

Similar to GitHub flow, GitLab flow uses a main branch with feature branches used for all new development. Features are continually merged into main after approval.?

The key difference is it adds tagging for releases. After merging to main, the commit is tagged with a version number like v1.2.3. This provides release points even though development is continuous.

Trunk-based Development?

Trunk-based development aims to avoid long-running feature branches and encourages small frequent merges. Developers commit to a shared main branch early and often.?

Branches are still used but often for short-lived experiments rather than official features. Automated testing and continuous integration help catch issues early.

This enables continuous delivery but can be chaotic without solid testing practices. Knowledge sharing and communication is critical.

Git Feature Branching Workflow

Unlike the other workflows, the Git feature branching workflow does not mandate a main branch. All new features and ideas start as isolated branches. Once ready, features merge into an integration branch for release.

Feature branches can live longer and merge schedules are flexible. But a lack of mainline makes integration more complex. It requires more merging and conflict resolution.

Conclusion

The right Git workflow depends on your team size, release cadence, development practices, and other factors. Evaluate these workflows against your process needs to identify improvements.?

A workflow and branching model ensures the team collaborates efficiently on features while maintaining code stability. Automate merges and tests to enable rapid development.