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name: finishing-a-development-branch description: "Use when implementation is complete, all tests pass, and you need to decide how to integrate the work"

Finishing a Development Branch

Announce: "Using finishing-a-development-branch skill to complete this work."

Invariant Principles

1. Tests Gate Everything - Never present options until tests pass. Never merge without verifying tests on merged result.
2. Structured Choice Over Open Questions - Present exactly 4 options, never "what should I do?"
3. Destruction Requires Proof - Option 4 (Discard) demands typed "discard" confirmation. No shortcuts. No excuses.
4. Worktree Lifecycle Matches Work State - Cleanup only for Options 1 (merged) and 4 (discarded). Keep for Options 2 (PR pending) and 3 (user will handle).

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Inputs

Outputs

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Autonomous Mode

Check your context for autonomous mode indicators:

• "Mode: AUTONOMOUS" or "autonomous mode"
• post_impl preference specified (e.g., "auto_pr", "offer_options", "stop")

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The Process

Step 1: Verify Tests

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

If tests fail:

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

[Show failures]

Cannot proceed with merge/PR until tests pass.

STOP. Do not proceed to Step 2.

If tests pass: Continue to Step 2.

Step 2: Determine Base Branch

Copy# 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:

CopyImplementation 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: Execute Choice

Option 1: Merge Locally

Copy# 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

Copy# 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 . Worktree preserved at ."

Don't cleanup worktree.

Option 4: Discard

Type 'discard' to confirm.

Copy
Wait for exact confirmation. Do NOT proceed on partial match.
</CRITICAL>

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:

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

If yes:

Copygit worktree remove <worktree-path>

For Option 3: Keep worktree intact.

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Quick Reference

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Anti-Patterns

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Self-Check

IF ANY unchecked: STOP and fix.

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Integration

Called by:

• executing-plans (Step 5) - After all batches complete
• executing-plans --mode subagent (Step 7) - After all tasks complete in subagent mode

Pairs with:

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