finishing-a-development-branch

To merge a git development branch after tests pass, the workflow verifies your test suite, resolves the target base branch, and presents structured options to finalize the work via local merge, PR, branch retention, or discard.

The best git workflow options for finishing a completed branch include four deterministic outcomes: merge locally into the base branch, push and create a pull request, keep the branch active, or discard the work entirely.

Branch cleanup after a git merge or pull request removes the finalized development branch safely once the selected workflow outcome is executed, ensuring the repository stays organized without losing integrated work.

You need to verify tests pass before creating a pull request from a git branch, as the workflow requires test verification as a prerequisite step before presenting options to push and create a PR.

You can keep or discard a git branch instead of merging it, as the workflow provides four fixed outcomes allowing you to retain the branch for future work or discard it after test verification.

To determine the correct base branch for a git merge, the workflow performs base-branch resolution automatically, identifying the appropriate target before guiding you through the final merge or PR creation step.