Structuring Git Workflow

Use when working in a git repository and about to start new work, complete a module, commit, push, merge, or rebase. Use before any destructive git operation. Use when you need to decide what branch to work on or how to structure commits.

Overview

Imposes branch discipline, commit structure, and safety checks at every git decision point. The skill acts as a gate: it does not execute commands, it asks the right questions before you do.

Violating the letter of these rules is violating the spirit of these rules.

When to Use

Starting new work?
  ├─ Yes → Create branch (Rule 1)
  └─ No → Continue

Module/feature complete?
  ├─ Yes → Remind about commit (Rule 2)
  └─ No → Continue

About to commit/push/merge/rebase?
  ├─ Yes → Run safety checklist (Rule 4)
  └─ No → Continue

Core Rules

Rule 1: Never Commit to Main/Master

All work happens on branches. When starting any task (feature, fix, refactor), create a branch first:

Task type	Branch pattern	Example
Feature	feature/<name>	feature/user-login
Bug fix	fix/<name>	fix/login-timeout
Refactor	refactor/<name>	refactor/auth-middleware

If you catch yourself about to commit on main/master, stop and create a branch. If work already started on main, stash it, create a branch, then unstash.

Rule 2: Remind About Commit at Module Boundaries

When a discrete unit of work is complete (a function, a component, a feature slice), proactively ask: "This module is complete. Commit it?"

Do not wait for the user to remember. The default answer is yes — most modules should be committed. If the user says no, respect it and move on.

Rule 3: Structured Commit Messages

Commit messages follow a consistent format. The default format is:

<type>: <description>

Types: feat, fix, refactor, style, docs, test, chore

• First line under 72 characters
• Use imperative mood ("add" not "added")
• If the project CLAUDE.md or CONTRIBUTING.md specifies a different convention, follow that instead

Rule 4: Safety Checklist Before Destructive Operations

Before reset --hard, rebase, force push, or branch -D:

1. Is this a shared branch? → Do not rewrite history
2. Do I have uncommitted changes? → Stash or commit first
3. Am I on the right branch? → git branch to verify
4. Is remote up to date? → git fetch first

State each check result explicitly before proceeding.

Rule 5: Push Is a Separate Decision

Commit and push are distinct steps. Commit accumulates locally. After commits are verified (tests pass, no regressions), ask: "Ready to push?"

Never push automatically after commit. Never force-push to shared branches. Use --force-with-lease on feature branches only.

Quick Reference

Trigger	Action
Starting new work	Create feature/ or fix/ branch from main
Module complete	Remind user about commit
About to commit	Use structured message format
About to push	Verify first, ask user
Force push needed	--force-with-lease on feature branches only
Destructive operation	Run 4-point safety checklist
Work accidentally on main	Stash → create branch → unstash

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Fix
Committing directly to main	Always create a branch first
Commit message "fix stuff"	Describe the specific change
Pushing immediately after commit	Accumulate, verify, then push
Force push without checking	Run safety checklist first
Skipping branch for "small fix"	Small fixes go on fix/ branches too
Amend pushed commits	Only amend local, unpushed commits

Edge Cases

Scenario	Handling
User insists on committing to main	Push back once: "This should go on a branch. Sure you want it on main?" If they confirm, comply.
Project initialization (first commit)	The initial commit (README, scaffold) is the only exception to Rule 1
Collaborating on an existing branch	No need to create a new branch — commit to the existing feature/fix branch
Local repo, no remote	Rules 1-3 still apply. Rules 4-5 (push safety) are dormant until a remote is added
User's CLAUDE.md specifies different convention	Follow the project convention. This skill is the default, not an override

Red Flags — STOP

• "This is too small for a branch" → Even one-line fixes go on a branch
• "I'll branch after I start" → Branch first, then work
• "Nobody else works on this repo" → Discipline is habit, not circumstance-dependent
• "The user seems in a hurry" → Urgency is when mistakes happen. Follow the rules
• "The user told me to skip the branch" → Push back once, then comply if they insist
• "It's just a config tweak" → Config changes can break things. Use a branch

All of these mean: Create the branch. Write the structured message. Run the checklist.