Version control essentials for teams
Version control helps teams coordinate. When many developers work on the same codebase, small changes can clash. A simple, predictable workflow reduces conflicts and speeds up delivery.
Choosing a workflow
Most teams use a short-lived feature branch and merge via pull requests. The main branch acts as the source of truth. Protect main from direct pushes and require reviews before merging.
Branch naming and structure
Use clear prefixes: feat/, fix/, chore/. Name branches after the work, like feat/search-improvement or fix-login-bug. Keep branches focused and short.
Commit hygiene
Break work into small commits with meaningful messages. A good commit message might read: “feat: add search capability” or “fix: resolve crash on login”. Avoid large commits that touch many areas.
Pull requests and reviews
PRs are the gate for changes. Include a short description, links to tests, and any design decisions. Assign reviewers, and aim for 1–2 approvals. Check that tests pass and the local build succeeds.
Handling conflicts and keeping history clean
Regularly pull from main, rebase your feature branch if your team allows it, and resolve conflicts early. After merging, ensure the branch is closed and the main history remains understandable.
Automation and norms
Enable CI to run tests on PRs and enforce checks before merge. Document your conventions in a team wiki or in the repo’s README. This helps new contributors get up to speed.
Example scenario
Alex starts feature/login, creates a branch, commits twice, opens a PR, Sam reviews, adds a small tweak, and they squash and merge into main. The main stays stable, and the history shows why the change happened.
Key Takeaways
- Use a protected main and short-lived feature branches.
- Keep commits small and messages clear.
- Automate checks and encourage code reviews.