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Git & GitHub Best Practices

Mastering Git and GitHub isn’t just about commands, it’s about developing good habits that make your projects scalable, collaborative, and professional. Whether you’re a solo developer or working with a large team, following best practices ensures smoother development and fewer headaches.

1. Use Meaningful Commit Messages​

Your commit message tells the story of your code. A clear, concise message helps collaborators understand what changed and why.

Good Example:

git commit -m "Fix: resolved navbar alignment issue on mobile view"

Bad Example:

git commit -m "fixed stuff"
tip

  • Use imperative mood (Add, Fix, Update)

  • Keep the first line under 72 characters

  • Use conventional commit prefixes:

    • feat: → new feature
    • fix: → bug fix
    • docs: → documentation changes
    • refactor: → code structure improvement

2. Keep Branches Clean and Descriptive​

Always create a new branch for each feature or bug fix.

Example:

git checkout -b feature/add-authentication
git checkout -b fix/navbar-responsive

Best Practices:

  • Don’t commit directly to main or master
  • Delete merged branches to keep the repo clean
  • Use branch naming conventions consistently

3. Use .gitignore Wisely​

Avoid committing unnecessary files like dependencies, build artifacts, or system files.

Example .gitignore:

node_modules/
.env
dist/
.vscode/
.DS_Store
tip

Use templates from github.com/github/gitignore for your language or framework.

4. Commit Often, Push When Stable​

Small, frequent commits make it easier to:

  • Track changes
  • Identify bugs
  • Roll back safely

Push your changes only when your local commits are tested and working. Use git pull --rebase instead of git pull to keep your history clean and linear.

5. Write Clear Pull Requests (PRs)​

A good Pull Request helps reviewers understand your intent quickly.

Include in your PR description:

  • Summary of changes
  • Related issue or ticket link
  • Testing details
  • Screenshots (if UI-related)

Example PR Title:

feat(ui): add dark mode toggle to navbar

6. Review Code Thoughtfully​

Code reviews are for learning and improving, not just checking syntax.

Best Practices for Reviews:

  • Be constructive and polite
  • Ask clarifying questions instead of demanding changes
  • Test functionality locally if possible
  • Approve with confidence, not hurry

7. Use Secure Authentication​

Avoid committing sensitive data!

❌ Never commit:

API keys
Passwords
Private tokens

Use:

  • .env files with environment variables
  • GitHub Secrets for Actions automation
  • git-secrets or truffleHog to detect accidental leaks

8. Tag and Version Your Releases​

Use semantic versioning (semver) to track releases properly:

MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH

Example:

v1.0.0 → Initial release
v1.1.0 → Added new feature
v1.1.1 → Bug fix

Tags make it easier to rollback or identify stable releases.

git tag v1.2.0
git push origin v1.2.0

9. Automate with GitHub Actions​

Automation improves consistency and reduces manual effort.

Examples:

  • Run tests automatically on every PR
  • Deploy code on successful merge
  • Lint and format code before pushing

Example workflow file:

name: Lint and Test
on: [push, pull_request]
jobs:
  test:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v3
      - run: npm ci
      - run: npm test

10. Maintain a Clear Repository Structure​

Keep your repository organized:

project/
├── src/
├── public/
├── tests/
├── docs/
├── README.md
├── LICENSE
└── .gitignore

Why it matters:

  • Easier onboarding for new contributors
  • Consistent code navigation
  • Better integration with CI/CD tools

11. Write a Helpful README​

Your README.md is the first impression of your project.

Include:

  • Project title and description
  • Installation steps
  • Usage examples
  • Contribution guidelines
  • License information

Add badges for stars, forks, build status, etc. Example:

![Build Status](https://img.shields.io/github/actions/workflow/status/CodeHarborHub/project/build.yml)

12. Follow Open Source Etiquette​

When contributing to other projects:

  • Respect existing conventions
  • Read CONTRIBUTING.md
  • Be polite in PR discussions
  • Give proper credit for ideas or code

Remember: open source is about collaboration, not competition.

13. Back Up and Sync Regularly​

If working on multiple devices:

  • Use git fetch frequently
  • Avoid force-pushing to shared branches
  • Always pull updates before committing new changes

14. Learn and Improve Continuously​

Stay up-to-date with:

Experiment with features like GitHub Codespaces, Projects, and Copilot to stay efficient.

Summary​

PracticePurpose
Meaningful commitsTrackable and readable history
Branch managementIsolated development and safety
Secure handlingProtect sensitive data
AutomationConsistent workflows
DocumentationClarity and collaboration
tip

"Good developers write code; great developers maintain history, structure, and clarity."

Learn More​