Git Release From a Feature Branch

Merging a new branch and releasing a new version with a tag typically involves the following steps. Let’s break them down:

1. Ensure Your Working Directory is Clean: Before starting, make sure your working directory is clean, and there are no uncommitted changes.

2. Checkout the Branch to Merge Into: Switch to the branch into which you want to merge the changes. For example, if you want to merge a feature branch into the main branch:

   git checkout main
    

3. Merge the Feature Branch: Merge the feature branch into the target branch:

   git merge feature-branch
    

   Resolve any merge conflicts if they occur.

4. Update Version Information: If your project has version information (like a VERSION file or a configuration file), update it to reflect the new version number.

5. Commit the Merge: Commit the changes after the merge:

   git commit -m "Merge feature-branch into main"
    

6. Tag the Release: Create a new tag for the release. Typically, version tags follow a semantic versioning format (e.g., v1.0.0):

   git tag -a v1.0.0 -m "Release version 1.0.0"
    

7. Push Changes and Tags: Push the merged changes and the new tag to the remote repository:

   git push origin main
   git push --tags
    

   This ensures that both the code changes and the tag are reflected on the remote repository.

8. Create a Release on GitHub (Optional): If you’re using GitHub or a similar platform, consider creating a release through the web interface. This allows you to add release notes, associate commits with the release, and provide additional information.

These steps assume a straightforward release process. Adjustments may be necessary based on your specific project structure, versioning scheme, or release workflow. Always refer to your project’s documentation or established practices for any project-specific nuances.