incremental-implementation

Break the feature into thin vertical slices where each slice delivers working end-to-end functionality. For each slice, implement the smallest complete piece, run tests, verify the build, commit with a descriptive message, then move to the next slice.

Vertical slicing builds one complete path through the entire stack per increment, such as database plus API plus UI for a single operation. Each slice leaves the system working and testable, unlike horizontal layers that deliver nothing usable until all layers finish.

Skip it for single-file, single-function changes where the scope is already minimal. The increment cycle adds overhead that only pays off when a change touches multiple files or feels too large to land safely in one step.

Feature flags let you merge small increments to the main branch without exposing unfinished work to users. Gate the new code behind an environment variable or config check that defaults to off, then enable it when the feature is complete.

Mixing a feature, a refactor, and config changes in one commit makes reviews harder and bugs harder to isolate. Separate commits keep each change independently revertable and make it clear which change caused a failure.