incremental-implementation

To break down large code changes, decompose them into vertical slices that are independently valuable, testable, and reviewable. This incremental development approach reduces merge conflicts and ensures each slice can be merged or rolled back without affecting unmerged work.

Vertical slicing in incremental development is decomposing changes into minimal end-to-end slices that prove a concept first. You then add layers incrementally, ensuring each slice remains independently valuable, fully testable, and completely reviewable before merging.

When you discover new scope during incremental implementation, add it to the plan for a future slice rather than expanding the current one. This scope management keeps existing slices independent, reviewable, and prevents merge conflicts caused by unmerged dependencies.

Yes, you can use feature flags for incomplete slices to manage incremental development. Feature flags allow you to merge partial work safely and enable new behavior only when all dependent slices are complete and ready for release.

Slices should be independent during incremental development to ensure no dependencies exist on unmerged work. This independence makes each slice independently valuable, facilitates easier code reviews, reduces merge conflicts, and simplifies rollbacks if issues arise.

The best way to start implementing a feature incrementally is to plan the slices by beginning with a minimal end-to-end slice that proves the concept. Then add layers incrementally, ensuring each slice is reviewable, testable, and independently valuable.