Why Git Workflow Matters

A good Git workflow prevents merge conflicts, keeps history clean, and makes collaboration seamless.

The Feature Branch Workflow

The most common and effective approach:

# Create a feature branch
git checkout -b feature/user-authentication

# Work on your feature
git add .
git commit -m "feat: add login form component"

# Push and create a PR
git push origin feature/user-authentication

Writing Good Commit Messages

Follow the conventional commits specification:

feat: add user authentication
fix: resolve login redirect issue
docs: update API documentation
refactor: extract validation logic
test: add unit tests for auth service

Keeping Your Branch Up to Date

Rebase to maintain a clean history:

git fetch origin
git rebase origin/main

The Pull Request Process

1. Keep PRs small and focused
2. Write a clear description
3. Request reviews from relevant team members
4. Address feedback promptly
5. Squash commits before merging

Handling Merge Conflicts

Don’t panic — conflicts are normal:

# After a conflict during rebase
git status                  # See conflicting files
# Fix conflicts in your editor
git add .                   # Stage resolved files
git rebase --continue       # Continue the rebase

Conclusion

A consistent Git workflow is like a clean kitchen — it makes everything easier and more enjoyable. Start with these basics and adapt as your team grows.