Table of contents

1. What is trunk-based development?
2. What is GitFlow?
3. Key differences between trunk-based development and Gitflow
4. When to choose trunk-based development
5. When to choose GitFlow
6. How Graphite supports branching strategies
7. Conclusion

Selecting the appropriate Git branching strategy is important for effective software development. The two prevalent methodologies are trunk-based development and Gitflow. Each offers distinct advantages and challenges, making them suitable for different team structures and project requirements. This guide looks into both strategies, providing clear definitions, examples, and insights to help you determine the best fit for your team.

What is trunk-based development?

Trunk-based development is a workflow where all developers commit their changes directly to a single branch, typically named main or master. This approach emphasizes continuous integration, encouraging frequent, small commits to maintain a stable codebase.

Example workflow:

1. Create a short-lived feature branch:

   Terminal

   git checkout -b feature/quick-fix main
   
   

2. After completing the feature, merge back into main:

   Terminal

   git checkout main
   git merge feature/quick-fix
   git branch -d feature/quick-fix
   
   

Advantages:

• Promotes rapid integration and feedback.
• Reduces complexity in branch management.
• Aligns well with continuous delivery practices.

Considerations:

• Requires disciplined development practices to prevent instability.
• May not be ideal for teams with infrequent deployments or less experienced developers.

What is Gitflow?

Gitflow is a branching model that defines a strict branching structure, including multiple long-lived branches such as main, develop, feature, release, and hotfix. This strategy is designed to support parallel development and scheduled releases.

Example workflow:

1. Create a feature branch from develop:

   Terminal

   git checkout -b feature/new-feature develop
   
   

2. After completing the feature, merge back into develop:

   Terminal

   git checkout develop
   git merge feature/new-feature
   git branch -d feature/new-feature
   
   

3. When ready for release, create a release branch:

   Terminal

   git checkout -b release/1.0 develop
   
   

4. After final testing, merge into main and tag the release:

   Terminal

   git checkout main
   git merge release/1.0
   git tag -a v1.0 -m "Release version 1.0"
   
   

Advantages:

• Provides a clear structure for managing complex releases.
• Facilitates parallel development and maintenance of multiple versions.
• Enhances collaboration in larger teams.

Considerations:

• Introduces complexity in branch management.
• May slow down the integration process due to longer-lived branches.
• Requires strict adherence to the defined workflow.

Key differences between trunk-based development and Gitflow

When to choose trunk-based development

Consider trunk-based development if:

• Your team practices continuous integration and delivery.
• You have a small, experienced development team.
• Rapid feedback and deployment are priorities.
• You aim to minimize merge conflicts and simplify branch management.

When to choose Gitflow

Consider Gitflow if:

• Your project requires structured release cycles.
• You manage multiple versions or environments simultaneously.
• Your team is large and benefits from clear branching guidelines.
• You need to support parallel development and maintenance activities.

How Graphite supports branching strategies

Graphite is a developer tool designed to enhance Git workflows, particularly for teams adopting trunk-based development or Gitflow. It offers features like stacked pull requests and merge queues to streamline code integration and review processes.

Key features:

• Stacked pull requests: Allows developers to create a series of dependent PRs, facilitating easier code reviews and incremental changes.
• Graphite Merge Queue: Automates the merging process by queuing PRs and merging them sequentially, reducing conflicts and ensuring stability.
• Automations: Enforces branch protection rules and quality checks before merging, maintaining code quality across the team.

By integrating Graphite into your workflow, you can enhance collaboration, maintain code quality, and accelerate the development process, regardless of the branching strategy you choose.

Conclusion

Choosing between trunk-based development and Gitflow depends on your team's size, experience, and project requirements. Trunk-based development offers simplicity and speed, ideal for small, agile teams. In contrast, Gitflow provides a structured approach suitable for larger teams managing complex projects. Tools like Graphite can further optimize your chosen strategy, enhancing efficiency and collaboration.