chore: minor wording and formatting improvements

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2026-01-10 07:29:24 +00:00
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commit c1aceee08a

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@@ -6,9 +6,9 @@ Introduction
Common-Flow is an attempt to gather a sensible selection of the most common Common-Flow is an attempt to gather a sensible selection of the most common
usage patterns of git into a single and concise specification. It is based on usage patterns of git into a single and concise specification. It is based on
the [original variant](http://scottchacon.com/2011/08/31/github-flow.html) the [original variant](http://scottchacon.com/2011/08/31/github-flow.html) of
of [GitHub Flow](https://guides.github.com/introduction/flow/), while taking [GitHub Flow](https://guides.github.com/introduction/flow/), while taking into
into account how a lot of open source projects most commonly use git. account how a lot of open source projects most commonly use git.
In short, Common-Flow is essentially GitHub Flow with the addition of versioned In short, Common-Flow is essentially GitHub Flow with the addition of versioned
releases, optional release branches, and without the requirement to deploy to releases, optional release branches, and without the requirement to deploy to
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@ production all the time.
Summary Summary
------- -------
- The "main" branch is the mainline branch with latest changes, and must not - The "main" branch is the mainline branch with latest changes, and must not be
be broken. broken.
- Changes (features, bugfixes, etc.) are done on "change branches" created from - Changes (features, bugfixes, etc.) are done on "change branches" created from
the main branch. the main branch.
- Rebase change branches [early and often](https://i.imgur.com/1RS8x2d.png). - Rebase change branches [early and often](https://i.imgur.com/1RS8x2d.png).
@@ -31,10 +31,10 @@ Summary
Terminology Terminology
----------- -----------
- **Main Branch** - Must be named "main", must always have passing tests, - **Main Branch** - Must be named "main", must always have passing tests, and is
and is not guaranteed to always work in production environments. not guaranteed to always work in production environments.
- **Change Branches** - Any branch that introduces changes like a new feature, a - **Change Branches** - Any branch that introduces changes like a new feature, a
bug fix, etc. bugfix, etc.
- **Source Branch** - The branch that a change branch was created from. New - **Source Branch** - The branch that a change branch was created from. New
changes in the source branch should be incorporated into the change branch via changes in the source branch should be incorporated into the change branch via
rebasing. rebasing.
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ Terminology
- **Release** - May be considered safe to use in production environments. Is - **Release** - May be considered safe to use in production environments. Is
effectively just a git tag named after the version of the release. effectively just a git tag named after the version of the release.
- **Release Branches** - Used both for short-term preparations of a release, and - **Release Branches** - Used both for short-term preparations of a release, and
also for long-term maintenance of older version. for long-term maintenance of older versions.
Git Common-Flow Specification (Common-Flow) Git Common-Flow Specification (Common-Flow)
------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
@@ -59,10 +59,10 @@ interpreted as described in [RFC 2119](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc2119).
1. Do not break the main branch. 1. Do not break the main branch.
2. A release is a git tag. 2. A release is a git tag.
2. The Main Branch 2. The Main Branch
1. A branch named "main" MUST exist and it MUST be referred to as the 1. A branch named "main" MUST exist and it MUST be referred to as the "main
"main branch". branch".
2. The main branch MUST always be in a non-broken state with its test 2. The main branch MUST always be in a non-broken state with its test suite
suite passing. passing.
3. The main branch IS NOT guaranteed to always work in production 3. The main branch IS NOT guaranteed to always work in production
environments. Despite test suites passing it may at times contain environments. Despite test suites passing it may at times contain
unfinished work. Only releases may be considered safe for production use. unfinished work. Only releases may be considered safe for production use.
@@ -136,17 +136,17 @@ interpreted as described in [RFC 2119](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc2119).
string. string.
5. If you are using a "VERSION" file in the root of the project, this file 5. If you are using a "VERSION" file in the root of the project, this file
MUST only contain the exact version string, meaning it MUST NOT have a MUST only contain the exact version string, meaning it MUST NOT have a
"v" prefix. For example "v2.11.4" is bad, and "2.11.4" is good. "v" prefix. For example, "v2.11.4" is bad, and "2.11.4" is good.
6. It is OPTIONAL, but RECOMMENDED that that the version string follows 6. It is OPTIONAL, but RECOMMENDED that the version string follows Semantic
Semantic Versioning (<http://semver.org/>). Versioning (<http://semver.org/>).
6. Releases 6. Releases
1. To create a new release, you MUST create a git tag named as the exact 1. To create a new release, you MUST create a git tag named as the exact
version string of the release. This kind of tag MUST be referred to as a version string of the release. This kind of tag MUST be referred to as a
"release tag". "release tag".
2. The release tag name can OPTIONALLY be prefixed with "v". For example the 2. The release tag name can OPTIONALLY be prefixed with "v". For example,
tag name can be either "2.11.4" or "v2.11.4". It is however RECOMMENDED the tag name can be either "2.11.4" or "v2.11.4". It is however
that you do not use a "v" prefix. You MUST NOT use a mixture of "v" RECOMMENDED that you do not use a "v" prefix. You MUST NOT use a mixture
prefixed and non-prefixed tags. Pick one form and stick to it. of "v" prefixed and non-prefixed tags. Pick one form and stick to it.
3. If the version string is hard-coded into the code-base, you MUST create a 3. If the version string is hard-coded into the code-base, you MUST create a
"version bump" commit which changes the hard-coded version string of the "version bump" commit which changes the hard-coded version string of the
project. project.
@@ -156,8 +156,8 @@ interpreted as described in [RFC 2119](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc2119).
relevant the version bump commit, MUST be created directly on the main relevant the version bump commit, MUST be created directly on the main
branch. branch.
6. The version bump commit SHOULD have a commit message following the 6. The version bump commit SHOULD have a commit message following the
Conventional Commits format. For example "chore(release): 2.11.4" or Conventional Commits format. For example, "chore(release): 2.11.4" or
"chore: bump version to 2.11.4". Alternatively a simple "Bump version to "chore: bump version to 2.11.4". Alternatively, a simple "Bump version to
2.11.4" format is acceptable. 2.11.4" format is acceptable.
7. It is RECOMMENDED that release tags are lightweight tags, but you can 7. It is RECOMMENDED that release tags are lightweight tags, but you can
OPTIONALLY use annotated tags if you want to include changelog OPTIONALLY use annotated tags if you want to include changelog
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ interpreted as described in [RFC 2119](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc2119).
3. Use of short-term release branches are OPTIONAL, and intended to be used 3. Use of short-term release branches are OPTIONAL, and intended to be used
to create a specific versioned release. to create a specific versioned release.
4. A short-term release branch is RECOMMENDED if there is a lengthy 4. A short-term release branch is RECOMMENDED if there is a lengthy
pre-release verification process to avoid a code freeze on the main prerelease verification process to avoid a code freeze on the main
branch. branch.
5. Short-term release branches MUST have a name of "release-VERSION". For 5. Short-term release branches MUST have a name of "release-VERSION". For
example for version "2.11.4" the release branch name MUST be example for version "2.11.4" the release branch name MUST be
@@ -195,43 +195,43 @@ interpreted as described in [RFC 2119](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc2119).
7. Only very minor changes should be performed on a short-term release 7. Only very minor changes should be performed on a short-term release
branch directly. Any larger changes SHOULD be done in the main branch, branch directly. Any larger changes SHOULD be done in the main branch,
and SHOULD be pulled into the release branch by rebasing it on top of the and SHOULD be pulled into the release branch by rebasing it on top of the
main branch the same way a change branch pulls in updates from its main branch the same way a change branch pulls in updates from its source
source branch. branch.
8. After a release tag has been created, the release branch MUST be merged 8. After a release tag has been created, the release branch MUST be merged
back into its source branch and then deleted. Typically the source branch back into its source branch and then deleted. Typically the source branch
will be the main branch. will be the main branch.
8. Long-term Release Branches 8. Long-term Release Branches
1. Any release branch which has a name ending with a non-specific version 1. Any release branch which has a name ending with a nonspecific version
string, MUST be referred to as a "long-term release branch". For example string, MUST be referred to as a "long-term release branch". For example,
"release-2.11" is a long-term release branch, while "release-2.11.4" is a "release-2.11" is a long-term release branch, while "release-2.11.4" is a
short-term release branch. short-term release branch.
2. Use of long-term release branches are OPTIONAL, and intended for work on 2. Use of long-term release branches are OPTIONAL, and intended for work on
versions which are not currently part of the main branch. Typically versions which are not currently part of the main branch. Typically this
this is useful when you need to create a new maintenance release for a is useful when you need to create a new maintenance release for an older
older version. version.
3. A long-term release branch MUST have a name with a non-specific version 3. A long-term release branch MUST have a name with a nonspecific version
number. For example a long-term release branch for creating new 2.9.x number. For example, a long-term release branch for creating new 2.9.x
releases MUST be named "release-2.9". releases MUST be named "release-2.9".
4. Long-term release branches for maintenance releases of older versions 4. Long-term release branches for maintenance releases of older versions
MUST be created from the relevant release tag. For example if the main MUST be created from the relevant release tag. For example, if the main
branch is on version 2.11.4 and there is a security fix for all 2.9.x branch is on version 2.11.4 and there is a security fix for all 2.9.x
releases, the latest of which is "2.9.7". Create a new branch called releases, the latest of which is "2.9.7". Create a new branch called
"release-2.9" from the "2.9.7" release tag. The security fix release will "release-2.9" from the "2.9.7" release tag. The security fix release will
then end up being version "2.9.8". then end up being version "2.9.8".
5. To create a new release from a long-term release branch, you MUST follow 5. To create a new release from a long-term release branch, you MUST follow
the same process as a release from the main branch, except the the same process as a release from the main branch, except the long-term
long-term release branch takes the place of the main branch. release branch takes the place of the main branch.
6. A long-term release branch should be treated with the same respect as the 6. A long-term release branch should be treated with the same respect as the
main branch. It is effectively the main branch for the release series main branch. It is effectively the main branch for the release series in
in question. Meaning it MUST always be in a non-broken state, MUST NOT be question. Meaning it MUST always be in a non-broken state, MUST NOT be
force pushed to, etc. force pushed to, etc.
9. Bug Fixes & Rollback 9. Bug Fixes & Rollback
1. You MUST NOT under any circumstances force push to the main branch or 1. You MUST NOT under any circumstances force push to the main branch or to
to long-term release branches. long-term release branches.
2. If a change branch which has been merged into the main branch is found 2. If a change branch which has been merged into the main branch is found to
to have a bug in it, the bug fix work MUST be done as a new separate have a bug in it, the bugfix work MUST be done as a new separate change
change branch and MUST follow the same workflow as any other change branch. This new change branch MUST follow the same workflow as any other
branch. change branch.
3. If a change branch is wrongfully merged into main, or for any other 3. If a change branch is wrongfully merged into main, or for any other
reason the merge must be undone, you MUST undo the merge by reverting the reason the merge must be undone, you MUST undo the merge by reverting the
merge commit itself. Effectively creating a new commit that reverses all merge commit itself. Effectively creating a new commit that reverses all
@@ -241,19 +241,18 @@ interpreted as described in [RFC 2119](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc2119).
Commits specification (<https://www.conventionalcommits.org/>). This Commits specification (<https://www.conventionalcommits.org/>). This
provides a structured format that integrates well with Semantic provides a structured format that integrates well with Semantic
Versioning, and enables automated changelog generation. At minimum, Versioning, and enables automated changelog generation. At minimum,
commit messages SHOULD follow the Commit Guidelines from the official commit messages SHOULD follow the Commit Guidelines from the official git
git documentation: documentation:
<https://git-scm.com/book/en/v2/Distributed-Git-Contributing-to-a-Project#_commit_guidelines> <https://git-scm.com/book/en/v2/Distributed-Git-Contributing-to-a-Project#_commit_guidelines>
2. You SHOULD never blindly commit all changes with "git commit -a". It is 2. You SHOULD never blindly commit all changes with "git commit -a". It is
RECOMMENDED you use "git add -i" or "git add -p" to add individual RECOMMENDED you use "git add -i" or "git add -p" to add individual
changes to the staging area so you are fully aware of what you are changes to the staging area so you are fully aware of what you are
committing. committing.
3. You SHOULD always use "--force-with-lease" when doing a force push. The 3. You SHOULD always use "--force-with-lease" when doing a force push. The
regular "--force" option is dangerous and destructive. More regular "--force" option is dangerous and destructive. More information:
information:
<https://www.codestudy.net/blog/git-push-force-with-lease-vs-force/> <https://www.codestudy.net/blog/git-push-force-with-lease-vs-force/>
4. You SHOULD understand and be comfortable with 4. You SHOULD understand and be comfortable with rebasing:
rebasing: <https://git-scm.com/book/en/v2/Git-Branching-Rebasing> <https://git-scm.com/book/en/v2/Git-Branching-Rebasing>
5. It is RECOMMENDED that you always do "git pull --rebase" instead of "git 5. It is RECOMMENDED that you always do "git pull --rebase" instead of "git
pull" to avoid unnecessary merge commits. You can make this the default pull" to avoid unnecessary merge commits. You can make this the default
behavior of "git pull" with "git config --global pull.rebase true". behavior of "git pull" with "git config --global pull.rebase true".
@@ -278,23 +277,21 @@ really change much:
- You create change branches instead of feature branches, without the need of a - You create change branches instead of feature branches, without the need of a
"feature/" or "change/" prefix in the branch name. "feature/" or "change/" prefix in the branch name.
- Change branches are typically created from and merged back into "main" - Change branches are typically created from and merged back into "main" instead
instead of "develop". of "develop".
- Creating a release is done by simply creating a git tag, typically on the - Creating a release is done by simply creating a git tag, typically on the main
main branch. branch.
In detail, the main differences between Git Flow and Common-Flow are: In detail, the main differences between Git Flow and Common-Flow are:
- There is no "develop" branch, there is only a "main" branch which contains - There is no "develop" branch, there is only a "main" branch which contains the
the latest work. In Git Flow the main branch effectively ends up just being latest work. In Git Flow the main branch effectively ends up just being a
a pointer to the latest release, despite the fact that Git Flow includes pointer to the latest release, despite the fact that Git Flow includes release
release tags too. In Common-Flow you just look at the tags to find the latest tags too. In Common-Flow you just look at the tags to find the latest release.
release. - There are no "feature" or "hotfix" branches, there's only "change" branches.
- There are no "feature" or "hotfix" branches, there's only "change" Any branch that is not main and introduces changes is a change branch. Change
branches. Any branch that is not main and introduces changes is a change branches also don't have an enforced naming convention, they just need to have
branch. Change branches also don't have a enforced naming convention, they a "descriptive name". This makes things simpler and allows more flexibility.
just have to have a "descriptive name". This makes things simpler and allows
more flexibility.
- Release branches are available, but optional. Instead of enforcing the use of - Release branches are available, but optional. Instead of enforcing the use of
release branches like Git Flow, Common-Flow only recommends the use of release release branches like Git Flow, Common-Flow only recommends the use of release
branches when it makes things easier. If creating a new release by tagging branches when it makes things easier. If creating a new release by tagging
@@ -304,16 +301,15 @@ In detail, the main differences between Git Flow and Common-Flow are:
Common-Flow is essentially GitHub Flow with the addition of a "Release" concept Common-Flow is essentially GitHub Flow with the addition of a "Release" concept
that uses tags. It also attempts to define how certain common tasks are done, that uses tags. It also attempts to define how certain common tasks are done,
like updating change/feature branches from their source branches for like updating change/feature branches from their source branches for example.
example. This is to help end arguments about how such things are done. This is to help end arguments about how such things are done.
If a deployment/release for you is just getting the latest code in the main If a deployment/release for you is just getting the latest code in the main
branch out, without caring about bumping version numbers or anything, then branch out without caring about bumping version numbers, GitHub Flow is a good
GitHub Flow is a good fit for you, and you probably don't need the extras of fit for you. You probably don't need the extras of Common-Flow.
Common-Flow.
However if your deployments/releases have specific version numbers, then However, if your deployments/releases have specific version numbers, then
Common-Flow gives you a simple set of rules of how to create and manage Common-Flow gives you a simple set of rules for how to create and manage
releases, on top of what GitHub Flow already does. releases, on top of what GitHub Flow already does.
### What does "descriptive name" mean for change branches? ### What does "descriptive name" mean for change branches?
@@ -331,11 +327,11 @@ is and what it does. Here's a few examples:
- tweak-footer-style - tweak-footer-style
Notice how none of these have any prefixes like "feature/" or "hotfix/", they're Notice how none of these have any prefixes like "feature/" or "hotfix/", they're
not needed when branch names are properly descriptive. However there's nothing not needed when branch names are properly descriptive. However, there's nothing
to say you can't use such prefixes if you want. to say you can't use such prefixes if you want.
You can also add ticket numbers to the branch name if your team/org has that as You can also add ticket numbers to the branch name if your team/org has that as
part of it's process. But it is recommended that ticket numbers are added to the part of its process. But it is recommended that ticket numbers are added to the
end of the branch name. The ticket number is essentially metadata, so put it at end of the branch name. The ticket number is essentially metadata, so put it at
the end and out of the way of humans trying to read the descriptive name from the end and out of the way of humans trying to read the descriptive name from
left to right. left to right.
@@ -354,17 +350,17 @@ following:
In this situation, it is recommended you try to revert the offending changes In this situation, it is recommended you try to revert the offending changes
that's preventing a new release from main. But if that proves to be a that's preventing a new release from main. But if that proves to be a
complicated task and you're short on time, a short-term release branch gives you complicated task and you're short on time, a short-term release branch gives you
a instant fix to the situation at hand, and let's you resolve the issues with an instant fix to the situation at hand. You can then resolve the issues with
the main branch when you have more time on your hands. the main branch later.
About About
----- -----
The Git Common-Flow specification is authored The Git Common-Flow specification is authored by [Jim
by [Jim Myhrberg](https://jimeh.me/). Myhrberg](https://jimeh.me/).
If you'd like to leave feedback, If you'd like to leave feedback, please [open an issue on
please [open an issue on GitHub](https://github.com/jimeh/common-flow/issues). GitHub](https://github.com/jimeh/common-flow/issues).
License License
------- -------