finishing-a-development-branch

Guide merge, PR, or cleanup decisions after verifying tests in Git workflows.

Updated Jun 20, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/lowmason/agent-skills --skill finishing-a-development-branch-lowmason
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: finishing-a-development-branch
Source: https://github.com/lowmason/agent-skills/tree/main/finishing-a-development-branch
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/lowmason/agent-skills --skill finishing-a-development-branch-lowmason

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This skill guides teams to complete development work by validating tests, assessing repository state, and presenting deterministic options for merging, creating a PR, or cleaning up, reducing guesswork and risk.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Verify tests before progressing to any merge or cleanup, ensuring code quality.
  • Detect repository environment (normal repo, named worktree, or detached HEAD) to tailor the workflow and cleanup steps.
  • Present a concise, choice-based workflow with four options (merge locally, push PR, keep as-is, or discard) and perform the corresponding actions with safe cleanups.
  • Automatically cleanup worktrees when needed and perform a provenance-safe deletion of branches, if chosen.
  • Handle edge cases like detached HEAD scenarios gracefully and provide clear user feedback.

Quick Start

Run the finishing-a-development-branch skill after your test suite passes to guide the finalization of your feature branch by selecting an option.

Frequently Asked Questions about finishing-a-development-branch

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I safely merge a feature branch after tests pass?▼

To safely merge a feature branch after tests pass, this skill verifies your test suite, detects your repository environment, and presents deterministic options for merging, creating a PR, or cleaning up while ensuring provenance-safe branch deletion.

How do I clean up a git worktree after finishing development?▼

To clean up a git worktree after finishing development, this skill detects named worktrees and automatically performs cleanup steps alongside your chosen merge or discard action, safely removing the worktree and executing provenance-safe branch deletions.

What is the best workflow for finalizing a detached HEAD state in git?▼

The best workflow for finalizing a detached HEAD state in git involves detecting the environment and adapting options. This skill gracefully handles detached HEAD scenarios, offering tailored choices to merge, push a PR, keep as-is, or discard with clear feedback.

Can I automate branch deletion and PR creation in one step?▼

Yes, you can automate branch deletion and PR creation in one step by selecting the push PR or discard options. This skill executes your chosen workflow and performs provenance-safe deletion of branches automatically after the action completes.

Does this merge workflow require a normal git branch or can it handle worktrees?▼

This merge workflow does not require a normal git branch; it explicitly handles named worktrees and detached HEAD states. It detects your repository environment to tailor the finalization options and adapt the cleanup accordingly.