- name
- create-feature-branch
- description
- Guide for creating feature branches following the torrust-tracker branching conventions. Covers branch naming format, lifecycle, and common patterns. Use when creating branches for issues, starting work on tasks, or setting up development branches. Triggers on "create branch", "new branch", "checkout branch", "branch for issue", or "start working on issue".
- metadata
- {"author":"torrust","version":"1.0"}
# Creating Feature Branches
This skill guides you through creating feature branches following the Torrust Tracker branching
conventions.
## Delivery Policy
- Never push directly to `develop` or `main`.
- To merge into `develop` or `main`, you must open a PR in `torrust/torrust-tracker`.
- That PR must come from a branch in a fork (`<fork-owner>:<branch>`), not a branch in the same repository.
- Remote names are contributor-specific. Do not assume `origin` or `torrust`; identify remotes from `git remote -v`.
- The upstream repository is `https://github.com/torrust/torrust-tracker`. Its remote is commonly named `torrust`, but verify with `git remote -v`.
- Before branching, always fetch and pull the latest `develop` from the upstream remote to ensure the branch starts from an up-to-date base.
## Branch Naming Convention
**Format**: `{issue-number}-{short-description}` (preferred)
For a spec-only branch, use `{issue-number}-{short-description}-spec`. Reserve the base
issue branch name for the later implementation branch so the two phases do not collide.
Alternative formats (no tracked issue):
- `feat/{short-description}`
- `fix/{short-description}`
- `chore/{short-description}`
**Rules**:
- Always start with the GitHub issue number when one exists
- Use lowercase letters only
- Separate words with hyphens (not underscores)
- Keep description concise but descriptive
## Creating a Branch
### Standard Workflow
```bash
# Identify the upstream remote (points to https://github.com/torrust/torrust-tracker)
# It is commonly named "torrust"; verify with: git remote -v
UPSTREAM_REMOTE=torrust # replace if your remote has a different name
# Ensure you're on the latest develop from upstream
git checkout develop
git fetch $UPSTREAM_REMOTE
git pull --ff-only $UPSTREAM_REMOTE develop
# Create and checkout branch for issue #42
git checkout -b 42-add-peer-expiry-grace-period
```
### With MCP GitHub Tools
1. Get the issue number and title
2. Format the branch name: `{number}-{kebab-case-description}`
3. Create the branch from `develop`
4. Checkout locally: `git fetch && git checkout {branch-name}`
## Branch Naming Examples
✅ **Good branch names**:
- `42-add-peer-expiry-grace-period`
- `156-refactor-udp-server-socket-binding`
- `203-add-e2e-mysql-tests`
- `1697-ai-agent-configuration`
- `2134-fix-cognitive-complexity-lint-enforcement-spec` — spec-only branch
❌ **Avoid**:
- `my-feature` — no issue number
- `FEATURE-123` — all caps
- `fix_bug` — underscores instead of hyphens
- `42_add_support` — underscores
## Branch Name Validation
Before creating a branch, verify that the issue number (if used) actually exists as an open
issue in GitHub and has a matching spec in `docs/issues/open/`. This prevents accidentally
referencing a wrong, closed, or non-existent issue number.
> **Note**: The git hooks runner (issue #1843) will eventually automate this check. Until
> then, verify manually by checking whether `docs/issues/open/` contains a spec file or
> directory starting with the issue number.
## Complete Branch Lifecycle
### 1. Create Branch from `develop`
```bash
# Identify the upstream remote (commonly "torrust"; verify with git remote -v)
UPSTREAM_REMOTE=torrust # replace if your remote has a different name
git checkout develop
git fetch $UPSTREAM_REMOTE
git pull --ff-only $UPSTREAM_REMOTE develop
git checkout -b 42-add-peer-expiry-grace-period
```
### 2. Develop
Make commits following [commit conventions](../commit-changes/SKILL.md).
### 3. Pre-commit Checks
```bash
cargo machete
linter all
cargo test --doc --workspace
cargo test --tests --benches --examples --workspace --all-targets --all-features
```
### 4. Push to Your Fork
```bash
git push {your-fork-remote} 42-add-peer-expiry-grace-period
```
To avoid assuming remote names, resolve upstream from `Cargo.toml` and then select your fork remote:
```bash
UPSTREAM_REPO=$(grep '^repository\s*=\s*"https://github.com/' Cargo.toml | sed -E 's#.*github.com/([^\"]+).*#\1#')
git remote -v
# Choose the remote that points to your fork (not "$UPSTREAM_REPO")
```
### 5. Create Pull Request
Target branch: `torrust/torrust-tracker:develop` from `<fork-owner>:<branch-name>`.
### 6. Cleanup After Merge
```bash
git checkout develop
git pull --ff-only
git branch -d 42-add-peer-expiry-grace-period
```
## Converting Issue Title to Branch Name
1. Get issue number (e.g., #42)
2. Take issue title (e.g., "Add Peer Expiry Grace Period")
3. Convert to lowercase kebab-case: `add-peer-expiry-grace-period`
4. Prefix with issue number: `42-add-peer-expiry-grace-period`
View on GitHub