Finishing a Development Branch

Overview

Guide completion of development work by presenting clear options and handling chosen workflow.

Core principle: Verify tests -> Present options -> Execute choice -> Clean up.

Announce at start: "I'm using the finishing-a-development-branch skill to complete this work."

The Process

Step 1: Verify Tests

Before presenting options, verify tests pass:

bash

# Run project's test suite
npm test / cargo test / pytest / go test ./...

If tests fail:

code

Tests failing (<N> failures). Must fix before completing:

[Show failures]

Cannot proceed with merge/PR until tests pass.

Stop. Don't proceed to Step 2.

If tests pass: Continue to Step 2.

Step 2: Determine Base Branch

bash

# Try common base branches
git merge-base HEAD main 2>/dev/null || git merge-base HEAD master 2>/dev/null

Or ask: "This branch split from main - is that correct?"

Step 3: Present Options

Present exactly these 4 options:

code

Implementation complete. What would you like to do?

1. Merge back to <base-branch> locally
2. Push and create a Pull Request
3. Keep the branch as-is (I'll handle it later)
4. Discard this work

Which option?

Don't add explanation - keep options concise.

Step 4: Check Environment and Execute

First, check if in Emacs-managed worktree:

bash

REPO=$(basename "$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel 2>/dev/null || echo unknown)")
BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current)
METADATA="$HOME/worktrees/metadata/$REPO/$BRANCH.json"

If in Emacs-managed worktree (metadata file exists)

Report readiness and hand off to Emacs:

code

Branch ready for integration.

Tests: passing
Base: <base-branch>
Ahead: <N> commits
Conflicts: none detected

Use SPC C x in Emacs to complete:
- [m] Merge & cleanup
- [p] Push & create PR
- [d] Discard

Branch is prepared. Awaiting your choice in Emacs.

Stop here. Do not execute merge/push/delete in Emacs-managed worktrees.

If NOT in Emacs worktree (no metadata file)

Execute the user's choice directly:

Option 1: Merge Locally

bash

# Switch to base branch
git checkout <base-branch>

# Pull latest
git pull

# Merge feature branch
git merge <feature-branch>

# Verify tests on merged result
<test command>

# If tests pass
git branch -d <feature-branch>

Then: Cleanup worktree (Step 5)

Option 2: Push and Create PR

bash

# Push branch
git push -u origin <feature-branch>

# Create PR
gh pr create --title "<title>" --body "$(cat <<'EOF'
## Summary
<2-3 bullets of what changed>

## Test Plan
- [ ] <verification steps>
EOF
)"

Then: Cleanup worktree (Step 5)

Option 3: Keep As-Is

Report: "Keeping branch <name>. Worktree preserved at <path>."

Don't cleanup worktree.

Option 4: Discard

Confirm first:

code

This will permanently delete:
- Branch <name>
- All commits: <commit-list>
- Worktree at <path>

Type 'discard' to confirm.

Wait for exact confirmation.

If confirmed:

bash

git checkout <base-branch>
git branch -D <feature-branch>

Then: Cleanup worktree (Step 5)

Step 5: Cleanup Worktree

For Options 1, 2, 4:

Check if in worktree:

bash

git worktree list | grep $(git branch --show-current)

If yes:

bash

git worktree remove <worktree-path>

For Option 3: Keep worktree.

Quick Reference

Option	Merge	Push	Keep Worktree	Cleanup Branch
1. Merge locally	Y	-	-	Y
2. Create PR	-	Y	Y	-
3. Keep as-is	-	-	Y	-
4. Discard	-	-	-	Y (force)

Red Flags

Never:

•Proceed with failing tests
•Merge without verifying tests on result
•Delete work without confirmation
•Force-push without explicit request

Always:

•Verify tests before offering options
•Present exactly 4 options
•Get typed confirmation for Option 4
•Clean up worktree for Options 1 & 4 only

Integration

Called by:

•gremlins:subagent-driven-development (Step 7) - After all tasks complete
•gremlins:executing-plans (Step 5) - After all batches complete

Pairs with:

•gremlins:using-git-worktrees - Cleans up worktree created by that skill