* [RFC] Proposed Git Workflow for Permanent History, Explicit Branch Status, and Developer Continuity
@ 2025-07-25 18:53 Skybuck Flying
2025-07-25 19:05 ` Skybuck Flying
0 siblings, 1 reply; 14+ messages in thread
From: Skybuck Flying @ 2025-07-25 18:53 UTC (permalink / raw)
To: git@vger.kernel.org
Hello Git Developers,
After years of developing software with my own modest versioning system, I've now successfully integrated its core principles with Git. This new workflow has been refined through extensive thought, problem-solving, and consultation. Thanks to assistance from an AI, I believe I can now express these ideas more clearly, making them understandable not only to other humans but potentially to other AI systems as well.
The core ideas behind this workflow are:
* **Preserving all valuable work:** We never delete anything, ensuring a complete and unalterable history.
* **Intentional development:** Each new coding session or task starts with a new, incremented version, clearly defining its objective.
* **Full historical traceability:** The workflow provides a comprehensive development trail, making every step of the project's evolution visible.
* **"Time-travel" capabilities:** It allows developers to easily revisit past code to fix or examine bugs, understand historical implementations, explore "what-if" scenarios, or even salvage previous work, however rare that need may be.
The workflow also includes a unique "Back to the Future" command combo, designed to streamline the process of taking code from a historical point and bringing it forward for modern integration—a powerful feature for revisiting old ideas.
My motivation for sharing this workflow with the Git mailing list is threefold:
* **Seek Feedback:** I aim to gather constructive feedback and insights on these ideas from experienced Git developers.
* **Highlight Windows Compatibility Challenges:** I want to discuss the difficulties of implementing such rich custom commands natively on Windows (outside of Git Bash). While Bash scripts can achieve this, it would be beneficial if Git itself could offer easier pathways for complex, multi-step operations on Windows.
* **Inspire Future Git Features:** I hope these concepts might inspire the Git project to explore new directions or implement features that would make workflows like this easier to achieve and adopt universally.
While this workflow is still in its initial testing phase, I firmly believe in its value and potential. I plan to rigorously test it further in the coming days, preferably in a native Windows environment if possible, though Git Bash remains an option.
Below, you'll find the full document detailing the "Skybuck's Git Workflow: Permanent History & Controlled Evolution."
-----
### Skybuck's Git Workflow Document: Permanent History & Controlled Evolution
This workflow is designed for projects that prioritize an **uninterrupted, permanently traceable history** of all development efforts, where **no active development branch is ever truly deleted**. It combines a robust branching strategy with a custom set of Git commands (implemented as aliases or scripts) to manage branch lifecycle status through tags.
### 1. Core Principles
* **History is Beautiful & Permanent:** Once a commit or branch is pushed, it remains in the repository forever. There is no `git push --delete` on core contribution branches.
* **No Accidental Data Loss:** The risk of human error (typos leading to deletion of valuable work) is virtually eliminated. Critical operations are abstracted into safer commands.
* **Personal Continuity:** Developers maintain their own sequentially numbered "contribution" branches, providing a clear personal history of their work, regardless of `master`'s evolution.
* **Explicit Branch Status:** Tags are used to clearly denote the lifecycle stage of each contribution branch (active, merged, rejected).
* **Controlled Integration:** `master` remains the authoritative source, and new work always ideally branches from the latest `master` for smoother integration.
* **Time-Travel & Exploration:** The workflow allows for easy branching from any historical point to revisit or revive past ideas.
### 2. Branching Strategy
* **`master` Branch:**
* The single, authoritative main branch representing the stable, production-ready (or near-production-ready) state of the project.
* All new development branches should ideally originate from the latest `master`.
* Only `merged` contribution branches are integrated into `master`.
* **`UserPrefixContributionNNN-Description` Branches:**
* These are the primary development branches for individual contributors.
* Each new significant piece of work by a user gets a new, sequentially numbered branch (e.g., `SkybuckContribution001-ImplementLogin`, `AI0001Contribution002-RefactorDatabase`).
* The `NNN` (e.g., `001`, `002`) provides a clear personal sequence of contributions for the developer.
* These branches are never deleted from the remote.
### 3. Role of Tags for Branch Lifecycle Management
Instead of deleting branches, tags are extensively used to denote the *status* of a `UserPrefixContribution` branch.
* **`active/<branchname>`:** Indicates a branch is currently under development, active review, or active re-evaluation.
* **`merged/<branchname>`:** Indicates a branch has been successfully integrated (merged) into the `master` branch. The branch itself persists, but this tag marks its completion and successful integration.
* **`rejected/<branchname>`:** Indicates a branch was reviewed but will not be merged into `master` (e.g., due to design decision, incompleteness, or being superseded). The branch itself persists, but this tag marks its final non-integrated status.
### 4. Custom Git Commands (Implemented as Aliases/Scripts)
These commands encapsulate the workflow logic, providing a high-level, safe, and intuitive interface for developers.
-----
#### 4.1. `git NewContribution <UserPrefix> <Description/Goal>`
* **Purpose:** To initiate a brand new development effort from the latest `master`. This is the primary command for starting most new features or fixes.
* **Action:**
1. Fetches and checks out the latest `master`.
2. Determines the next sequential `ContributionNumber` (e.g., `001`, `002`) for the given `<UserPrefix>` by inspecting existing branches or tags.
3. Constructs the full `new_branch_name` (e.g., `SkybuckContribution003-ImplementFeatureX`).
4. Creates and pushes this `new_branch_name` to the remote.
5. Automatically calls `git SetActive <new_branch_name>` to mark it as active.
* **Example Usage:** `git NewContribution Skybuck "User profile management"`
-----
#### 4.2. `git SetActive <branchname>`
* **Purpose:** To explicitly mark an existing contribution branch as currently active or in progress.
* **Action:**
1. Validates that `<branchname>` exists.
2. Creates a tag `active/<branchname>` pointing to the current HEAD of `<branchname>`.
3. Pushes this tag to the remote.
* **Example Usage:** `git SetActive SkybuckContribution003-ImplementFeatureX`
-----
#### 4.3. `git SetMerged <branchname>`
* **Purpose:** To mark a contribution branch as successfully merged into `master`.
* **Action:**
1. Validates that `<branchname>` exists.
2. **Safely deletes** the remote tag `active/<branchname>` (if it exists).
3. Creates a tag `merged/<branchname>` pointing to the current HEAD of `<branchname>`.
4. Pushes this new `merged` tag to the remote.
* **Example Usage:** `git SetMerged SkybuckContribution003-FeatureX`
-----
#### 4.4. `git SetRejected <branchname>`
* **Purpose:** To mark a contribution branch as not being integrated into `master`.
* **Action:**
1. Validates that `<branchname>` exists.
2. **Safely deletes** the remote tag `active/<branchname>` (if it exists).
3. Creates a tag `rejected/<branchname>` pointing to the current HEAD of `<branchname>`.
4. Pushes this new `rejected` tag to the remote.
* **Example Usage:** `git SetRejected AI0001Contribution002-ExperimentalAlgorithm`
-----
#### 4.5. `git SetRevive <branchname>`
* **Purpose:** To "re-activate" an *existing* contribution branch that was previously marked as `merged` or `rejected`. This is for continuing work on the *same branch*, in its original historical context, by simply changing its status tags.
* **Action:**
1. Validates that `<branchname>` exists and currently has a `merged/<branchname>` or `rejected/<branchname>` tag.
2. **Safely deletes** the remote `merged/<branchname>` or `rejected/<branchname>` tag.
3. Calls `git SetActive <branchname>` to re-apply the `active/` tag.
* **Use Case:** A feature was merged, but then the merge had to be reverted on `master`, and development needs to continue on the original feature branch. Or, a rejected idea is reconsidered for direct continuation.
* **Important Note:** This does NOT rebase the branch onto `master`. The branch will remain based on its original ancestor, potentially creating significant divergence from the current `master`. Integration of subsequent work would be handled manually.
* **Example Usage:** `git SetRevive SkybuckContribution005-BugfixRethink`
-----
### 5. **The "Back to the Future" Combo: `git BackTo` and `git TheFuture`**
This is a two-command sequence designed for bringing historical code (from an old tag) forward to align with, or be evaluated against, the current state of the `master` branch. It separates the act of creating a branch from old code, from the potentially interactive process of modernizing it.
#### 5.1. **Stage 1: `git BackTo <tagname_of_old_commit> <new_branch_description>`**
* **Purpose:** This is your initial "time-travel" command. Its job is to create a **brand new, clean development branch** that starts *exactly* at the historical commit pointed to by your chosen tag. It isolates this old code, giving you a fresh workspace.
* **Action:**
1. **Validates Input:** Ensures the provided `<tagname_of_old_commit>` exists and you've given a `<new_branch_description>`.
2. **Generates New Branch Name:** Following your `UserPrefixContributionNNN` convention, it determines the next available sequence number for your user and creates a name like `UserPrefixContribution<NextNumber>-<description>`.
3. **Creates Local Branch:** It checks out the specific commit from the past and creates your `new_branch_name` at that exact point.
4. **Pushes to Remote:** Your newly created historical branch is immediately pushed to the remote for backup and visibility.
5. **Sets Active Status:** It automatically calls `git SetActive <new_branch_name>`, immediately marking this new branch as `active/` in your repository's status tracking system.
* **Use Case (Initial Step):** You want to pick up an idea from `merged/AI0001Contribution007-OldAPIDesign` and start a *new, separate* development line (`AI0001Contribution008-Re-evaluateV1APIForPerformance`) based on that exact historical code.
```bash
git BackTo merged/AI0001Contribution007-OldAPIDesign "Re-evaluate V1 API for performance"
# This creates branch AI0001Contribution008-Re-evaluateV1APIForPerformance,
# and sets it active. You are now working on code from that old point in time.
```
* **Important Note (Initial State):** The new branch created by `git BackTo` is *not* automatically updated with the current `master` branch's changes. It's truly a snapshot of the past.
#### 5.2. **Stage 2: `git TheFuture` (or `git TheFutureRebase`)**
* **Purpose:** This command is the "modernization" step. Once you're on a branch (often one created by `git BackTo`) that you want to bring up to date with the latest `master`, `git TheFuture` initiates the rebase process.
* **Action:**
1. **Context Check:** Validates that you are currently on a branch and not in a detached HEAD state.
2. **Master Update:** Ensures your local `master` branch is up-to-date with the remote `master` (and may prompt you to pull if not).
3. **Initiates Rebase:** Executes `git rebase master`. This attempts to reapply each of your current branch's commits (which started from an old point) sequentially on top of the latest `master`.
4. **Crucial: User Intervention for Conflicts:** **This is where human input is vital.** If Git encounters any conflicts, `git TheFuture` will pause. It will then provide you with clear instructions on how to manually resolve these conflicts (e.g., `git add .` and `git rebase --continue`) or how to abort the rebase (`git rebase --abort`). The script cannot resolve conflicts for you; human decision is required.
5. **Completion Guidance:** Once the rebase successfully completes (or is aborted by you), the command provides guidance on how to push your now-modernized branch to the remote (`git push --force-with-lease` is often required after a rebase).
* **Use Case (Subsequent Step):** After running `git BackTo` and making some initial experiments on `AI0001Contribution008-Re-evaluateV1APIForPerformance`, you decide you want to bring these changes forward and integrate them into the current project.
```bash
# (Assuming you are on branch AI0001Contribution008-Re-evaluateV1APIForPerformance)
git TheFuture
# Git will now walk you through any conflicts as it replays your commits on top of master.
# Once done, you'd push your changes and propose a merge request to master.
```
-----
### 6. Typical Workflow Flow (Example: New Feature Development)
1. **Start New Work:** `git NewContribution Skybuck "Implement dark mode"`
* Creates `SkybuckContribution001-ImplementDarkMode` and sets it `active/`.
2. **Develop:** Work on `SkybuckContribution001-ImplementDarkMode`, making commits. Push regularly.
3. **Keep Updated (Optional/Periodic):** If `master` has changed significantly, `git checkout SkybuckContribution001-ImplementDarkMode` then `git TheFuture` to rebase onto `master`. Resolve any conflicts.
4. **Ready for Review:** Create a Pull Request from `SkybuckContribution001-ImplementDarkMode` to `master`.
5. **After Review (Accepted):** Once merged into `master`, the maintainer or CI/CD runs: `git SetMerged SkybuckContribution001-ImplementDarkMode`.
* Removes `active/` tag, adds `merged/` tag. `SkybuckContribution001-ImplementDarkMode` branch remains forever.
6. **After Review (Rejected):** If rejected: `git SetRejected SkybuckContribution001-ImplementDarkMode`.
* Removes `active/` tag, adds `rejected/` tag. `SkybuckContribution001-ImplementDarkMode` branch remains forever.
### 7. Addressing Key Concerns with this Workflow
* **Branch Sprawl:** Mitigated by `active/`, `merged/`, `rejected/` tags. While branches persist, their status tags allow for filtering and clear identification of what's ongoing vs. historical, making the branch list manageable through tooling.
* **Deletion Risk:** Eliminated. No core contribution branch is ever deleted. Commands like `SetMerged` or `SetRejected` safely manage *tags* instead of branches, preventing accidental data loss due to typos.
* **Personal Continuity:** Fully supported by the `UserPrefixContributionNNN` naming and permanent branches, giving each developer a clear, sequential record of their contributions.
* **Clarity:** The distinct command names and tag prefixes clearly communicate the intent and status of all development efforts.
This workflow provides a robust, transparent, and developer-friendly way to manage complex projects while adhering to strong principles of historical integrity.
Best regards,
Skybuck Flying
skybuck2000@hotmail.com
^ permalink raw reply [flat|nested] 14+ messages in thread
* Re: [RFC] Proposed Git Workflow for Permanent History, Explicit Branch Status, and Developer Continuity
2025-07-25 18:53 [RFC] Proposed Git Workflow for Permanent History, Explicit Branch Status, and Developer Continuity Skybuck Flying
@ 2025-07-25 19:05 ` Skybuck Flying
2025-07-25 19:20 ` Skybuck Flying
2025-07-25 19:24 ` Skybuck Flying
0 siblings, 2 replies; 14+ messages in thread
From: Skybuck Flying @ 2025-07-25 19:05 UTC (permalink / raw)
To: git@vger.kernel.org
Hello Git Developers,
During the processing of the AI an interesting piece of text was lost, the "problem description".
This text may be interesting for those who want a slightly better understanding of what this workflow aims to solve.
Here is the lost text/problem description, core principles extra explained which is also important to get a complete picture (for example the user name + version numbering + optional description approach for a branch name)
Short Example:
SkybuckContribution0001-optional-description-goal-of-branch
Commit0001
Description of which work was done in this comment.
Commit0002
Commit0003
The lost text:
-----
### The Problems This Workflow Aims to Solve:
1. **Loss of History via Branch Deletion:** Many conventional Git workflows advocate for deleting feature branches after they're merged. While this tidies the branch list, it effectively loses the direct traceability of a branch's specific development path and its individual lifecycle status, especially for rejected or experimental work.
2. **Branch Sprawl & Lack of Clarity:** In projects that don't delete branches, the `git branch -a` output can quickly become an unmanageable list where it's unclear which branches are active, which have been merged, and which were abandoned.
3. **Lack of Personal Developer Continuity:** Developers often lose a clear, sequential personal history of their work, as individual contributions are ephemeral branches that are either deleted or become indistinguishable in a large `git branch` output.
4. **Risk of Accidental Data Loss:** Relying on `git branch -D` or `git push --delete` introduces a risk of accidental data loss if a branch wasn't fully incorporated or its history is needed later.
-----
### My Proposed Solution: A Permanent History & Tag-Driven Status Workflow
My workflow ensures that **no development branch is ever truly deleted** from the remote repository. Instead, their lifecycle status is explicitly managed using lightweight Git tags. This is combined with a set of custom Git commands (implemented as aliases or shell scripts) to streamline and safeguard operations.
**Core Principles:**
* **Permanent Branches:** All `UserPrefixContributionNNN-Description` branches persist in the repository.
* **Tag-Defined Status:** Tags like `active/branchname`, `merged/branchname`, `rejected/branchname` clearly indicate the branch's current state.
* **Developer-Centric:** Each developer maintains a sequential series of their contributions.
**Key Custom Git Commands:**
Here's a summary of the core commands that automate and enforce this workflow:
1. **`git new-contribution <UserPrefix> <Description/Goal>`**
* **Purpose:** The primary command for starting new work.
* **Action:** Fetches `master`, determines the next sequential `ContributionNumber` for `<UserPrefix>`, creates `UserPrefixContributionNNN-Description` from `master`, pushes it, and sets it `active/`.
* **Example:** `git new-contribution Skybuck "User profile management"`
2. **`git set-active <branchname>`**
* **Purpose:** Explicitly marks an existing contribution branch as active.
* **Action:** Removes any `merged/` or `rejected/` tags, creates/updates an `active/branchname` tag.
3. **`git set-merged <branchname>`**
* **Purpose:** Marks a contribution branch as successfully integrated into `master`.
* **Action:** Removes `active/` or `rejected/` tags, creates a `merged/branchname` tag.
4. **`git set-rejected <branchname>`**
* **Purpose:** Marks a contribution branch as not being integrated into `master`.
* **Action:** Removes `active/` or `merged/` tags, creates a `rejected/branchname` tag.
5. **`git set-revive <branchname>`**
* **Purpose:** To "re-activate" an *existing* `merged/` or `rejected/` contribution branch for continuation *in its original historical context*.
* **Action:** Removes `merged/` or `rejected/` tags, and sets the branch `active/`.
* **Note:** This does *not* rebase the branch onto `master`.
-----
### The "Back to the Future" Combo: Recovering & Modernizing Historical Code
This is a two-command sequence for bringing code from an old tag forward to align with current `master`. It separates starting from history from the potentially interactive process of modernizing it.
#### 5.1. **Stage 1: `git back-to <tagname_of_old_commit> <new_branch_description>`**
* **Purpose:** This is your initial "time-travel" command. Its job is to create a **brand new, clean development branch** that starts *exactly* at the historical commit pointed to by your chosen tag. It isolates this old code, giving you a fresh workspace.
* **Action:**
1. **Validates Input:** Ensures the provided `<tagname_of_old_commit>` exists and you've given a `<new_branch_description>`.
2. **Generates New Branch Name:** Following your `UserPrefixContributionNNN` convention, it determines the next available sequence number for your user and creates a name like `UserPrefixContribution<NextNumber>-<description>`.
3. **Creates Local Branch:** It checks out the specific commit from the past and creates your `new_branch_name` at that exact point.
4. **Pushes to Remote:** Your newly created historical branch is immediately pushed to the remote for backup and visibility.
5. **Sets Active Status:** It automatically calls `git SetActive <new_branch_name>`, immediately marking this new branch as `active/` in your repository's status tracking system.
* **Example:** `git back-to merged/AI0001Contribution007-OldAPIDesign "Re-evaluate V1 API for performance"`
```bash
# This creates branch AI0001Contribution008-Re-evaluateV1APIForPerformance,
# and sets it active. You are now working on code from that old point in time.
```
* **Important Note (Initial State):** The new branch created by `git BackTo` is *not* automatically updated with the current `master` branch's changes. It's truly a snapshot of the past.
#### 5.2. **Stage 2: `git TheFuture` (or `git TheFutureRebase`)**
* **Purpose:** This command is the "modernization" step. Once you're on a branch (often one created by `git BackTo`) that you want to bring up to date with the latest `master`, `git TheFuture` initiates the rebase process.
* **Action:**
1. **Context Check:** Validates that you're currently on a branch and not in a detached HEAD state.
2. **Master Update:** Ensures your local `master` branch is up-to-date with the remote `master` (and may prompt you to pull if not).
3. **Initiates Rebase:** Executes `git rebase master`. This attempts to reapply each of your current branch's commits (which started from an old point) sequentially on top of the latest `master`.
4. **Crucial: User Intervention for Conflicts:** **This is where human input is vital.** If Git encounters any conflicts, `git TheFuture` will pause. It will then provide you with clear instructions on how to manually resolve these conflicts (e.g., `git add .` and `git rebase --continue`) or how to abort the rebase (`git rebase --abort`). The script cannot resolve conflicts for you; human decision is required.
5. **Completion Guidance:** Once the rebase successfully completes (or is aborted by you), the command provides guidance on how to push your now-modernized branch to the remote (`git push --force-with-lease` is often required after a rebase).
* **Example:** (After creating and switching to `AI0001Contribution008-Re-evaluateV1APIForPerformance`) `git TheFuture`
```bash
# Git will now walk you through any conflicts as it replays your commits on top of master.
# Once done, you'd push your changes and propose a merge request to master.
```
-----
### Overall Benefits:
This workflow provides true historical integrity, eliminates the fear of accidental data loss, offers a clean view of branch status, and empowers individual developers with a clear progression of their work. The commands abstract common complex Git operations into safer, more intuitive steps.
**Implementation Challenges and Request for Support:**
This workflow is currently implemented using Bash scripts, which work seamlessly on Linux environments and within Git Bash on Windows. However, a significant hurdle for broader adoption, particularly on Windows, is the **lack of native compatibility for such rich scripting in Windows Command Prompt (CMD) or PowerShell.**
I would be incredibly grateful if the Git project or the community could consider how such advanced, multi-step workflows could be more easily and robustly integrated or supported directly within native Windows environments. This would greatly enhance accessibility and utility for a wider developer base.
I'm eager to hear your thoughts on this approach. Are there similar workflows or existing Git features that achieve these goals? What are potential pitfalls or improvements you might suggest?
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
Skybuck Flying
skybuck2000@hotmail.com
-----
^ permalink raw reply [flat|nested] 14+ messages in thread
* Re: [RFC] Proposed Git Workflow for Permanent History, Explicit Branch Status, and Developer Continuity
2025-07-25 19:05 ` Skybuck Flying
@ 2025-07-25 19:20 ` Skybuck Flying
2025-07-25 19:24 ` Skybuck Flying
1 sibling, 0 replies; 14+ messages in thread
From: Skybuck Flying @ 2025-07-25 19:20 UTC (permalink / raw)
To: git@vger.kernel.org
Unfortunately my development, thinking, testing time for today has well surpassed it's time.
But I would be unsatisfactory if no scripts were provided to at least have some starting point.
So I present to you scripts developed by Gemini Flash 2.5 for git bash.
These scripts are untested, but perhaps I will test them tomorrow further, or perhaps others can test these and refine these.
Below is also an explanation of how to store and use these scripts.
(I am quite busy, so I make no promises on any follows ups, or additional refinements, but I do my best to provide at least something to go on and for inspiration/ideas)
(Also I feel somewhat out of place in the linux/unix/bash world so perhaps better if somebody else carries over the stick so to speak ;))
Here are the Bash scripts for your custom Git commands, ready for developers to use.
These scripts are designed to be standalone executables. Save each block of code into a file with the specified name (e.g., `git-new-contribution`), then make them executable (`chmod +x <filename>`). Place these files in a directory that is part of your system's `PATH` environment variable (e.g., `~/bin/` on Linux, or a custom directory you add to PATH for Git Bash on Windows).
Git will automatically recognize these as subcommands (e.g., `git new-contribution`).
-----
### 1\. `git-new-contribution`
This script fetches the latest `master`, determines the next sequential contribution number for your user prefix, creates the new branch, pushes it, and marks it as active.
```bash
#!/bin/bash
# Script: git-new-contribution
# Purpose: To initiate a brand new development effort from the latest master.
# Usage: git new-contribution <UserPrefix> <Description/Goal...>
# --- Input Validation ---
if [ -z "$1" ] || [ -z "$2" ]; then
echo "Usage: git new-contribution <UserPrefix> \"<Description/Goal...>\"" >&2
echo "Example: git new-contribution Skybuck \"Implement user authentication\"" >&2
exit 1
fi
USER_PREFIX="$1"
DESCRIPTION_RAW="$2"
# Slugify description: lowercase, replace spaces with hyphens, remove non-alphanumeric except hyphens
DESCRIPTION_SLUGIFIED=$(echo "$DESCRIPTION_RAW" | tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]' | sed -E 's/[^a-z0-9]+/-/g' | sed -E 's/^-+|-+$//g' | head -c 50) # Truncate to avoid very long names
if [ -z "$DESCRIPTION_SLUGIFIED" ]; then
echo "Error: Description cannot be empty or result in an empty slug." >&2
exit 1
fi
# --- Core Logic ---
# 1. Fetch latest master and checkout
echo "Fetching latest master and switching to it..."
git checkout master || { echo "Error: Failed to checkout master." >&2; exit 1; }
git pull origin master || { echo "Error: Failed to pull latest master." >&2; exit 1; }
# 2. Determine next contribution number
# Look at all branches, local and remote, that match the pattern for this user prefix.
# Sort numerically and take the last one, then increment.
LAST_NUM=$(git for-each-ref --format='%(refname:short)' refs/{heads,remotes/origin}/"${USER_PREFIX}Contribution"* 2>/dev/null | \
grep -E "^${USER_PREFIX}Contribution[0-9]{3}-" | \
sed -E "s/^${USER_PREFIX}Contribution([0-9]{3})-.*$/\\1/" | \
sort -n | tail -1)
NEXT_NUM=1
if [ -n "$LAST_NUM" ]; then
NEXT_NUM=$((10#$LAST_NUM + 1)) # Use 10# to force base 10 for safety
fi
# Format to three digits (e.g., 001, 010, 100)
FORMATTED_NEXT_NUM=$(printf "%03d" "$NEXT_NUM")
NEW_BRANCH_NAME="${USER_PREFIX}Contribution${FORMATTED_NEXT_NUM}-${DESCRIPTION_SLUGIFIED}"
# Check if branch already exists locally or remotely (highly unlikely given numbering, but for safety)
if git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/heads/$NEW_BRANCH_NAME" || git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/remotes/origin/$NEW_BRANCH_NAME"; then
echo "Error: Branch '$NEW_BRANCH_NAME' already exists. This should not happen with sequential numbering." >&2
exit 1
fi
echo "Creating new branch: '$NEW_BRANCH_NAME' from master..."
git checkout -b "$NEW_BRANCH_NAME" master || { echo "Error: Failed to create local branch." >&2; exit 1; }
git push -u origin "$NEW_BRANCH_NAME" || { echo "Error: Failed to push new branch to origin." >&2; exit 1; }
echo "---"
echo "Calling git set-active to mark as active..."
# Call git-set-active directly. Ensure git-set-active is in PATH or alias setup.
"$(dirname "$0")/git-set-active" "$NEW_BRANCH_NAME" || { echo "Warning: Failed to set branch as active. Please run 'git set-active $NEW_BRANCH_NAME' manually." >&2; }
echo ""
echo "Successfully created and activated new contribution branch:"
echo "-> **$NEW_BRANCH_NAME**"
echo "You are now on this branch. Start coding!"
exit 0
```
-----
### 2\. `git-set-active`
This script explicitly marks an existing contribution branch as currently active or in progress by creating an `active/<branchname>` tag and removing any `merged/` or `rejected/` tags.
```bash
#!/bin/bash
# Script: git-set-active
# Purpose: To explicitly mark an existing contribution branch as currently active.
# Usage: git set-active <branchname>
# --- Input Validation ---
if [ -z "$1" ]; then
echo "Usage: git set-active <branchname>" >&2
echo "Example: git set-active SkybuckContribution001-ImplementLogin" >&2
exit 1
fi
BRANCH_NAME="$1"
ACTIVE_TAG="active/$BRANCH_NAME"
# Check if the branch exists locally or remotely
if ! git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/heads/$BRANCH_NAME" && ! git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/remotes/origin/$BRANCH_NAME"; then
echo "Error: Branch '$BRANCH_NAME' does not exist locally or remotely." >&2
exit 1
fi
# Get the latest commit hash of the branch. Prioritize remote if local isn't up to date.
BRANCH_HASH=$(git rev-parse "refs/remotes/origin/$BRANCH_NAME^{commit}" 2>/dev/null || git rev-parse "refs/heads/$BRANCH_NAME^{commit}" 2>/dev/null)
if [ -z "$BRANCH_HASH" ]; then
echo "Error: Could not determine commit hash for branch '$BRANCH_NAME'." >&2
exit 1
fi
# Delete existing merged/rejected tags (if any) to ensure only 'active' is present for status
for STATUS_TAG_PREFIX in "merged" "rejected"; do
if git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/tags/${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME"; then
echo "Removing existing remote tag: ${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME..."
git push origin --delete "${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME" || { echo "Warning: Failed to delete old remote tag ${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME." >&2; }
fi
done
# Create and push the active tag
echo "Creating and pushing active tag: '$ACTIVE_TAG' for branch '$BRANCH_NAME'..."
git tag -f "$ACTIVE_TAG" "$BRANCH_HASH" || { echo "Error: Failed to create local tag '$ACTIVE_TAG'." >&2; exit 1; }
git push -f origin "$ACTIVE_TAG" || { echo "Error: Failed to push tag '$ACTIVE_TAG' to origin." >&2; exit 1; }
echo ""
echo "Branch **$BRANCH_NAME** successfully marked as **ACTIVE**."
echo "You can view active branches with: **git tag --list 'active/*'**"
exit 0
```
-----
### 3\. `git-set-merged`
This script marks a contribution branch as successfully merged into `master` by creating a `merged/<branchname>` tag and removing any `active/` or `rejected/` tags.
```bash
#!/bin/bash
# Script: git-set-merged
# Purpose: To mark a contribution branch as successfully merged into master.
# Usage: git set-merged <branchname>
# --- Input Validation ---
if [ -z "$1" ]; then
echo "Usage: git set-merged <branchname>" >&2
echo "Example: git set-merged SkybuckContribution001-MyFeature" >&2
exit 1
fi
BRANCH_NAME="$1"
MERGED_TAG="merged/$BRANCH_NAME"
# Check if the branch exists locally or remotely
if ! git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/heads/$BRANCH_NAME" && ! git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/remotes/origin/$BRANCH_NAME"; then
echo "Error: Branch '$BRANCH_NAME' does not exist locally or remotely." >&2
exit 1
fi
# Get the latest commit hash of the branch. Prioritize remote.
BRANCH_HASH=$(git rev-parse "refs/remotes/origin/$BRANCH_NAME^{commit}" 2>/dev/null || git rev-parse "refs/heads/$BRANCH_NAME^{commit}" 2>/dev/null)
if [ -z "$BRANCH_HASH" ]; then
echo "Error: Could not determine commit hash for branch '$BRANCH_NAME'." >&2
exit 1
fi
# Remove active/rejected tags if they exist
for STATUS_TAG_PREFIX in "active" "rejected"; do
if git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/tags/${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME"; then
echo "Removing existing remote tag: ${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME..."
git push origin --delete "${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME" || { echo "Warning: Failed to delete old remote tag ${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME." >&2; }
fi
done
# Create and push the merged tag
echo "Creating and pushing merged tag: '$MERGED_TAG' for branch '$BRANCH_NAME'..."
git tag -f "$MERGED_TAG" "$BRANCH_HASH" || { echo "Error: Failed to create local tag '$MERGED_TAG'." >&2; exit 1; }
git push -f origin "$MERGED_TAG" || { echo "Error: Failed to push tag '$MERGED_TAG' to origin." >&2; exit 1; }
echo ""
echo "Branch **$BRANCH_NAME** successfully marked as **MERGED**."
echo "It remains in your repository history."
exit 0
```
-----
### 4\. `git-set-rejected`
This script marks a contribution branch as not being integrated into `master` by creating a `rejected/<branchname>` tag and removing any `active/` or `merged/` tags.
```bash
#!/bin/bash
# Script: git-set-rejected
# Purpose: To mark a contribution branch as not being integrated into master.
# Usage: git set-rejected <branchname>
# --- Input Validation ---
if [ -z "$1" ]; then
echo "Usage: git set-rejected <branchname>" >&2
echo "Example: git set-rejected AI0001Contribution002-ExperimentalAlgorithm" >&2
exit 1
fi
BRANCH_NAME="$1"
REJECTED_TAG="rejected/$BRANCH_NAME"
# Check if the branch exists locally or remotely
if ! git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/heads/$BRANCH_NAME" && ! git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/remotes/origin/$BRANCH_NAME"; then
echo "Error: Branch '$BRANCH_NAME' does not exist locally or remotely." >&2
exit 1
fi
# Get the latest commit hash of the branch. Prioritize remote.
BRANCH_HASH=$(git rev-parse "refs/remotes/origin/$BRANCH_NAME^{commit}" 2>/dev/null || git rev-parse "refs/heads/$BRANCH_NAME^{commit}" 2>/dev/null)
if [ -z "$BRANCH_HASH" ]; then
echo "Error: Could not determine commit hash for branch '$BRANCH_NAME'." >&2
exit 1
fi
# Remove active/merged tags if they exist
for STATUS_TAG_PREFIX in "active" "merged"; do
if git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/tags/${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME"; then
echo "Removing existing remote tag: ${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME..."
git push origin --delete "${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME" || { echo "Warning: Failed to delete old remote tag ${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME." >&2; }
fi
done
# Create and push the rejected tag
echo "Creating and pushing rejected tag: '$REJECTED_TAG' for branch '$BRANCH_NAME'..."
git tag -f "$REJECTED_TAG" "$BRANCH_HASH" || { echo "Error: Failed to create local tag '$REJECTED_TAG'." >&2; exit 1; }
git push -f origin "$REJECTED_TAG" || { echo "Error: Failed to push tag '$REJECTED_TAG' to origin." >&2; exit 1; }
echo ""
echo "Branch **$BRANCH_NAME** successfully marked as **REJECTED**."
echo "It remains in your repository history for reference."
exit 0
```
-----
### 5\. `git-set-revive`
This script "re-activates" an *existing* contribution branch that was previously marked as `merged` or `rejected`. It removes the old status tag and re-applies the `active/` tag.
```bash
#!/bin/bash
# Script: git-set-revive
# Purpose: To re-activate an EXISTING contribution branch that was previously merged or rejected.
# Usage: git set-revive <branchname>
# --- Input Validation ---
if [ -z "$1" ]; then
echo "Usage: git set-revive <branchname>" >&2
echo "Example: git set-revive SkybuckContribution005-BugfixRethink" >&2
exit 1
fi
BRANCH_NAME="$1"
# Check if the branch exists locally or remotely
if ! git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/heads/$BRANCH_NAME" && ! git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/remotes/origin/$BRANCH_NAME"; then
echo "Error: Branch '$BRANCH_NAME' does not exist locally or remotely." >&2
exit 1
fi
# Check if it currently has a merged or rejected tag
HAS_MERGED_TAG=$(git ls-remote --tags origin "merged/$BRANCH_NAME")
HAS_REJECTED_TAG=$(git ls-remote --tags origin "rejected/$BRANCH_NAME")
if [ -z "$HAS_MERGED_TAG" ] && [ -z "$HAS_REJECTED_TAG" ]; then
echo "Error: Branch '$BRANCH_NAME' is not currently marked as 'merged/' or 'rejected/'. Cannot revive." >&2
echo "If it's active, use 'git set-active' to refresh its tag." >&2
exit 1
fi
echo "Attempting to revive branch '$BRANCH_NAME'..."
# Remove old status tags
for STATUS_TAG_PREFIX in "merged" "rejected"; do
if git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/tags/${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME"; then
echo "Removing existing remote tag: ${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME..."
git push origin --delete "${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME" || { echo "Warning: Failed to delete old remote tag ${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME." >&2; }
fi
done
# Call git-set-active to apply the active tag
echo "---"
echo "Calling git set-active to mark as active..."
"$(dirname "$0")/git-set-active" "$BRANCH_NAME" || { echo "Error: Failed to set branch as active during revival. Please run 'git set-active $BRANCH_NAME' manually." >&2; exit 1; }
echo ""
echo "Branch **$BRANCH_NAME** successfully **REVIVED** and marked as **ACTIVE**."
echo "Remember, this branch's history has NOT been rebased onto master."
echo "You are now on this branch if you were already there. To switch: **git checkout $BRANCH_NAME**"
exit 0
```
-----
### 6\. `git-back-to`
This script creates a *new* development branch starting at a specified historical tag/commit.
```bash
#!/bin/bash
# Script: git-back-to
# Purpose: To create a NEW development branch from any specific historical point (a tag).
# Usage: git back-to <tagname_of_old_commit> "<new_branch_description>"
# --- Input Validation ---
if [ -z "$1" ] || [ -z "$2" ]; then
echo "Usage: git back-to <tagname_of_old_commit> \"<new_branch_description>\"" >&2
echo "Example: git back-to merged/AI0001Contribution007-OldAPIDesign \"Re-evaluate V1 API for performance\"" >&2
exit 1
fi
OLD_TAG_NAME="$1"
NEW_BRANCH_DESCRIPTION_RAW="$2"
# --- Configuration ---
# Get UserPrefix from git config, default to sanitized user.name
USER_PREFIX=$(git config user.contributionPrefix)
if [ -z "$USER_PREFIX" ]; then
USER_PREFIX=$(git config user.name | tr -cd '[:alnum:]' | head -c 10) # Sanitize and truncate
if [ -z "$USER_PREFIX" ]; then
echo "Error: Git user.name or user.contributionPrefix not set." >&2
echo "Please configure them: git config --global user.name \"Your Name\"" >&2
echo "Or: git config --global user.contributionPrefix \"YourPrefix\"" >&2
exit 1
fi
fi
# Slugify description
NEW_BRANCH_DESCRIPTION_SLUGIFIED=$(echo "$NEW_BRANCH_DESCRIPTION_RAW" | tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]' | sed -E 's/[^a-z0-9]+/-/g' | sed -E 's/^-+|-+$//g' | head -c 50)
if [ -z "$NEW_BRANCH_DESCRIPTION_SLUGIFIED" ]; then
echo "Error: New branch description cannot be empty or result in an empty slug." >&2
exit 1
fi
# Check if tag exists
if ! git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/tags/$OLD_TAG_NAME" && ! git ls-remote --tags origin "refs/tags/$OLD_TAG_NAME"; then
echo "Error: Tag '$OLD_TAG_NAME' does not exist locally or remotely. Please ensure it's fetched." >&2
exit 1
fi
# 2. Determine next contribution number for the new branch
LAST_NUM=$(git for-each-ref --format='%(refname:short)' refs/{heads,remotes/origin}/"${USER_PREFIX}Contribution"* 2>/dev/null | \
grep -E "^${USER_PREFIX}Contribution[0-9]{3}-" | \
sed -E "s/^${USER_PREFIX}Contribution([0-9]{3})-.*$/\\1/" | \
sort -n | tail -1)
NEXT_NUM=1
if [ -n "$LAST_NUM" ]; then
NEXT_NUM=$((10#$LAST_NUM + 1))
fi
FORMATTED_NEXT_NUM=$(printf "%03d" "$NEXT_NUM")
NEW_BRANCH_NAME="${USER_PREFIX}Contribution${FORMATTED_NEXT_NUM}-${NEW_BRANCH_DESCRIPTION_SLUGIFIED}"
# Check if branch already exists locally or remotely
if git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/heads/$NEW_BRANCH_NAME" || git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/remotes/origin/$NEW_BRANCH_NAME"; then
echo "Error: New branch name '$NEW_BRANCH_NAME' already exists. This should not happen with sequential numbering." >&2
exit 1
fi
# 3. Create new local branch from tag
echo "Creating new branch '**$NEW_BRANCH_NAME**' from historical tag '**$OLD_TAG_NAME**'..."
git checkout -b "$NEW_BRANCH_NAME" "$OLD_TAG_NAME" || { echo "Error: Failed to create local branch '$NEW_BRANCH_NAME' from tag '$OLD_TAG_NAME'." >&2; exit 1; }
# 4. Push new branch to remote
echo "Pushing new branch '**$NEW_BRANCH_NAME**' to remote origin..."
git push -u origin "$NEW_BRANCH_NAME" || { echo "Error: Failed to push new branch to origin." >&2; exit 1; }
echo "---"
# 5. Call git-set-active
echo "Calling git set-active to mark as active..."
"$(dirname "$0")/git-set-active" "$NEW_BRANCH_NAME" || { echo "Warning: Failed to set branch as active. Please run 'git set-active $NEW_BRANCH_NAME' manually." >&2; }
echo ""
echo "Successfully created and activated new branch from historical tag:"
echo "-> Branch **$NEW_BRANCH_NAME** is based on **$OLD_TAG_NAME**."
echo "You are now on this branch. If you wish to bring it up to master, use **git the-future**."
exit 0
```
-----
### 7\. `git-the-future`
This script rebases the current branch onto the latest `master`, guiding the user through conflict resolution.
```bash
#!/bin/bash
# Script: git-the-future
# Purpose: To initiate the rebasing of the current active branch onto the latest master branch.
# Usage: git the-future
# --- Core Logic ---
CURRENT_BRANCH=$(git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD)
# Validate user is on a branch and not master
if [ "$CURRENT_BRANCH" = "HEAD" ] || [ "$CURRENT_BRANCH" = "" ]; then
echo "Error: You are not on a branch (detached HEAD). Please checkout a branch first." >&2
exit 1
fi
if [ "$CURRENT_BRANCH" = "master" ]; then
echo "Error: Cannot run 'git the-future' on the master branch." >&2
echo "This command is designed to rebase a feature branch onto master." >&2
exit 1
fi
echo "Preparing to rebase current branch '**${CURRENT_BRANCH}**' onto the latest **master**."
# Update local master
echo "Updating local master branch..."
git checkout master || { echo "Error: Could not checkout master." >&2; exit 1; }
git pull origin master || { echo "Error: Could not pull origin master. Please resolve manually or try again." >&2; exit 1; }
# Checkout original branch
git checkout "$CURRENT_BRANCH" || { echo "Error: Could not checkout original branch ${CURRENT_BRANCH}." >&2; exit 1; }
echo ""
echo "Starting rebase of **${CURRENT_BRANCH}** onto **master**..."
echo "---"
git rebase master
REBASE_STATUS=$? # Capture the exit status of the rebase command
if [ $REBASE_STATUS -eq 0 ]; then
echo "---"
echo "Rebase completed successfully!"
echo "Your branch **${CURRENT_BRANCH}** is now rebased on top of the latest **master**."
echo "To update the remote branch, you will likely need to force push (use --force-with-lease for safety):"
echo " **git push --force-with-lease origin ${CURRENT_BRANCH}**"
elif [ $REBASE_STATUS -eq 1 ]; then
echo "---"
echo "Rebase paused due to conflicts!" >&2
echo "Please resolve the conflicts manually in your files." >&2
echo "After resolving, use these commands:" >&2
echo " **git add .**" >&2
echo " **git rebase --continue**" >&2
echo "If you wish to abort the rebase:" >&2
echo " **git rebase --abort**" >&2
exit 1 # Indicate failure due to conflicts
else
echo "---"
echo "Rebase failed for an unexpected reason (exit code $REBASE_STATUS)." >&2
echo "Please investigate the git output above." >&2
exit 1
fi
exit 0
```
How do I store and use/test these scripts ?
That's an excellent and crucial question\! Having the scripts is one thing, but knowing how to set them up and test them is key to making your workflow a reality.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to store, use, and test these scripts on both Linux and Windows (using Git Bash).
-----
## Storing, Using, and Testing Your Git Workflow Scripts
These scripts are written in Bash, so they will work natively on Linux and within the Git Bash environment on Windows. They will **not** work directly in Windows Command Prompt (CMD) or PowerShell.
### Step 1: Create a Dedicated Directory for Your Scripts
It's best practice to keep your custom scripts organized in a dedicated directory.
* **Choose a location:** A common choice is `~/bin` (a `bin` folder in your home directory) or you can create a new one like `~/git-commands`. Let's use `~/git-commands` for this guide.
* **Create the directory:**
```bash
mkdir -p ~/git-commands
```
(The `-p` flag ensures that if `~` doesn't have a directory named `git-commands`, it will create it.)
### Step 2: Save Each Script to Its Own File
For each of the 7 scripts I provided (e.g., `git-new-contribution`, `git-set-active`, etc.):
1. **Open a text editor:** Use a plain text editor (like VS Code, Notepad++, Sublime Text, Vim, Nano, Gedit, etc.).
2. **Copy the entire script content:** Copy the full Bash script code for one command.
3. **Paste into the editor.**
4. **Save the file:** Save the file into your `~/git-commands` directory.
* **Crucially, name the file exactly as specified:**
* `git-new-contribution`
* `git-set-active`
* `git-set-merged`
* `git-set-rejected`
* `git-set-revive`
* `git-back-to`
* `git-the-future`
* **Do NOT add a `.sh` extension** (e.g., don't save as `git-new-contribution.sh`). Git expects the executable to be named `git-yourcommand`.
Repeat this for all 7 scripts.
### Step 3: Make the Scripts Executable
For your operating system to run these files as programs, you need to set their executable permission.
* **Open your terminal (Bash on Linux, Git Bash on Windows).**
* **Navigate to your scripts directory:**
```bash
cd ~/git-commands
```
* **Make all scripts executable:**
```bash
chmod +x git-*
```
(This command makes all files starting with `git-` in the current directory executable.)
### Step 4: Add the Scripts Directory to Your System's PATH
Your shell needs to know where to find these custom `git-` commands. You do this by adding your `~/git-commands` directory to your `PATH` environment variable.
* **Open your terminal (Bash on Linux, Git Bash on Windows).**
* **Edit your shell's configuration file:**
* **Linux (Bash):** `nano ~/.bashrc` or `vim ~/.bashrc`
* **Linux (Zsh):** `nano ~/.zshrc` or `vim ~/.zshrc`
* **Windows (Git Bash):** `nano ~/.bashrc` or `nano ~/.profile` (either works, `.bashrc` is common)
* **Add the following line to the end of the file:**
```bash
export PATH="$PATH:$HOME/git-commands"
```
* **Save and close the file.**
* **Apply the changes:**
* **For the current session:** Run `source ~/.bashrc` (or `source ~/.zshrc` / `source ~/.profile`).
* **For future sessions:** Close and reopen your terminal.
### Step 5: Configure Git User Details (If Not Already Done)
Your scripts rely on your Git user name and email, and specifically a `user.contributionPrefix`.
* **Set your global Git user name and email:**
```bash
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "your.email@example.com"
```
* **Set your custom contribution prefix:**
```bash
git config --global user.contributionPrefix "Skybuck" # Or "AI0001", "JohnDoe", etc.
```
(The scripts will fall back to a sanitized version of `user.name` if `user.contributionPrefix` isn't set, but setting it explicitly is cleaner.)
### Step 6: Test Your Commands\!
Now you can test your custom workflow commands.
* **Navigate to an existing Git repository** where you want to test, or create a new one:
```bash
mkdir my-test-repo
cd my-test-repo
git init
touch README.md
git add README.md
git commit -m "Initial commit"
# Create a remote for testing (e.g., on GitHub, GitLab, or a local bare repo)
# git remote add origin <your_remote_repo_url>
# git push -u origin master
```
* **Test `git new-contribution`:**
```bash
git new-contribution Skybuck "My first test feature"
```
You should see output indicating branch creation, pushing, and activation.
* Verify: `git branch -a` (you should see your new branch) and `git tag --list 'active/*'` (you should see `active/SkybuckContribution001-My-first-test-feature`).
* **Test `git set-merged` (after some commits on the new branch, and ideally merging into master):**
```bash
# (Make some commits on SkybuckContribution001-My-first-test-feature)
# (Simulate merging into master - e.g., git checkout master && git merge SkybuckContribution001-My-first-test-feature)
git set-merged SkybuckContribution001-My-first-test-feature
```
* Verify: `git tag --list 'active/*'` (should no longer show it) and `git tag --list 'merged/*'` (should now show `merged/SkybuckContribution001-My-first-test-feature`).
* **Test `git back-to` and `git the-future`:**
```bash
# Assuming SkybuckContribution001-My-first-test-feature was merged and tagged
git back-to merged/SkybuckContribution001-My-first-test-feature "Testing revival and rebase"
# This creates a new branch (e.g., SkybuckContribution002-Testing-revival-and-rebase)
# You will be on this new branch.
# Make a small change on this new branch
echo "New line for revival" >> test.txt
git add test.txt
git commit -m "Added line to revived branch"
# Now, try to bring it up to master
git the-future
# Follow any instructions if conflicts occur.
# After successful rebase, push: git push --force-with-lease origin SkybuckContribution002-Testing-revival-and-rebase
```
By following these steps, you'll have your custom Git workflow up and running, ready for your extensive testing\!
Bye,
Skybuck Flying
skybuck2000@hotmail.com
^ permalink raw reply [flat|nested] 14+ messages in thread
* Re: [RFC] Proposed Git Workflow for Permanent History, Explicit Branch Status, and Developer Continuity
2025-07-25 19:05 ` Skybuck Flying
2025-07-25 19:20 ` Skybuck Flying
@ 2025-07-25 19:24 ` Skybuck Flying
2025-07-25 20:21 ` Skybuck Flying
1 sibling, 1 reply; 14+ messages in thread
From: Skybuck Flying @ 2025-07-25 19:24 UTC (permalink / raw)
To: git@vger.kernel.org
Unfortunately my development, thinking, testing time for today has well surpassed it's time.
(Also this is a re-post of this message, the original one was not sent in plain-text mode, (html) probably leading to a mailing-list rejection, so I re-send it in plain-text mode to make sure it gets through, sorry in advance for any potential duplicates but if all is well it shouldn't be a duplicate ;))
But I would be unsatisfactory if no scripts were provided to at least have some starting point.
So I present to you scripts developed by Gemini Flash 2.5 for git bash.
These scripts are untested, but perhaps I will test them tomorrow further, or perhaps others can test these and refine these.
Below is also an explanation of how to store and use these scripts.
(I am quite busy, so I make no promises on any follows ups, or additional refinements, but I do my best to provide at least something to go on and for inspiration/ideas)
(Also I feel somewhat out of place in the linux/unix/bash world so perhaps better if somebody else carries over the stick so to speak ;))
(Another idea is to re-fine/bug fix them via gemini 2.5 pro, which is a stronger AI).
Here are the Bash scripts for your custom Git commands, ready for developers to use.
These scripts are designed to be standalone executables. Save each block of code into a file with the specified name (e.g., `git-new-contribution`), then make them executable (`chmod +x <filename>`). Place these files in a directory that is part of your system's `PATH` environment variable (e.g., `~/bin/` on Linux, or a custom directory you add to PATH for Git Bash on Windows).
Git will automatically recognize these as subcommands (e.g., `git new-contribution`).
-----
### 1\. `git-new-contribution`
This script fetches the latest `master`, determines the next sequential contribution number for your user prefix, creates the new branch, pushes it, and marks it as active.
```bash
#!/bin/bash
# Script: git-new-contribution
# Purpose: To initiate a brand new development effort from the latest master.
# Usage: git new-contribution <UserPrefix> <Description/Goal...>
# --- Input Validation ---
if [ -z "$1" ] || [ -z "$2" ]; then
echo "Usage: git new-contribution <UserPrefix> \"<Description/Goal...>\"" >&2
echo "Example: git new-contribution Skybuck \"Implement user authentication\"" >&2
exit 1
fi
USER_PREFIX="$1"
DESCRIPTION_RAW="$2"
# Slugify description: lowercase, replace spaces with hyphens, remove non-alphanumeric except hyphens
DESCRIPTION_SLUGIFIED=$(echo "$DESCRIPTION_RAW" | tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]' | sed -E 's/[^a-z0-9]+/-/g' | sed -E 's/^-+|-+$//g' | head -c 50) # Truncate to avoid very long names
if [ -z "$DESCRIPTION_SLUGIFIED" ]; then
echo "Error: Description cannot be empty or result in an empty slug." >&2
exit 1
fi
# --- Core Logic ---
# 1. Fetch latest master and checkout
echo "Fetching latest master and switching to it..."
git checkout master || { echo "Error: Failed to checkout master." >&2; exit 1; }
git pull origin master || { echo "Error: Failed to pull latest master." >&2; exit 1; }
# 2. Determine next contribution number
# Look at all branches, local and remote, that match the pattern for this user prefix.
# Sort numerically and take the last one, then increment.
LAST_NUM=$(git for-each-ref --format='%(refname:short)' refs/{heads,remotes/origin}/"${USER_PREFIX}Contribution"* 2>/dev/null | \
grep -E "^${USER_PREFIX}Contribution[0-9]{3}-" | \
sed -E "s/^${USER_PREFIX}Contribution([0-9]{3})-.*$/\\1/" | \
sort -n | tail -1)
NEXT_NUM=1
if [ -n "$LAST_NUM" ]; then
NEXT_NUM=$((10#$LAST_NUM + 1)) # Use 10# to force base 10 for safety
fi
# Format to three digits (e.g., 001, 010, 100)
FORMATTED_NEXT_NUM=$(printf "%03d" "$NEXT_NUM")
NEW_BRANCH_NAME="${USER_PREFIX}Contribution${FORMATTED_NEXT_NUM}-${DESCRIPTION_SLUGIFIED}"
# Check if branch already exists locally or remotely (highly unlikely given numbering, but for safety)
if git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/heads/$NEW_BRANCH_NAME" || git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/remotes/origin/$NEW_BRANCH_NAME"; then
echo "Error: Branch '$NEW_BRANCH_NAME' already exists. This should not happen with sequential numbering." >&2
exit 1
fi
echo "Creating new branch: '$NEW_BRANCH_NAME' from master..."
git checkout -b "$NEW_BRANCH_NAME" master || { echo "Error: Failed to create local branch." >&2; exit 1; }
git push -u origin "$NEW_BRANCH_NAME" || { echo "Error: Failed to push new branch to origin." >&2; exit 1; }
echo "---"
echo "Calling git set-active to mark as active..."
# Call git-set-active directly. Ensure git-set-active is in PATH or alias setup.
"$(dirname "$0")/git-set-active" "$NEW_BRANCH_NAME" || { echo "Warning: Failed to set branch as active. Please run 'git set-active $NEW_BRANCH_NAME' manually." >&2; }
echo ""
echo "Successfully created and activated new contribution branch:"
echo "-> **$NEW_BRANCH_NAME**"
echo "You are now on this branch. Start coding!"
exit 0
```
-----
### 2\. `git-set-active`
This script explicitly marks an existing contribution branch as currently active or in progress by creating an `active/<branchname>` tag and removing any `merged/` or `rejected/` tags.
```bash
#!/bin/bash
# Script: git-set-active
# Purpose: To explicitly mark an existing contribution branch as currently active.
# Usage: git set-active <branchname>
# --- Input Validation ---
if [ -z "$1" ]; then
echo "Usage: git set-active <branchname>" >&2
echo "Example: git set-active SkybuckContribution001-ImplementLogin" >&2
exit 1
fi
BRANCH_NAME="$1"
ACTIVE_TAG="active/$BRANCH_NAME"
# Check if the branch exists locally or remotely
if ! git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/heads/$BRANCH_NAME" && ! git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/remotes/origin/$BRANCH_NAME"; then
echo "Error: Branch '$BRANCH_NAME' does not exist locally or remotely." >&2
exit 1
fi
# Get the latest commit hash of the branch. Prioritize remote if local isn't up to date.
BRANCH_HASH=$(git rev-parse "refs/remotes/origin/$BRANCH_NAME^{commit}" 2>/dev/null || git rev-parse "refs/heads/$BRANCH_NAME^{commit}" 2>/dev/null)
if [ -z "$BRANCH_HASH" ]; then
echo "Error: Could not determine commit hash for branch '$BRANCH_NAME'." >&2
exit 1
fi
# Delete existing merged/rejected tags (if any) to ensure only 'active' is present for status
for STATUS_TAG_PREFIX in "merged" "rejected"; do
if git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/tags/${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME"; then
echo "Removing existing remote tag: ${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME..."
git push origin --delete "${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME" || { echo "Warning: Failed to delete old remote tag ${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME." >&2; }
fi
done
# Create and push the active tag
echo "Creating and pushing active tag: '$ACTIVE_TAG' for branch '$BRANCH_NAME'..."
git tag -f "$ACTIVE_TAG" "$BRANCH_HASH" || { echo "Error: Failed to create local tag '$ACTIVE_TAG'." >&2; exit 1; }
git push -f origin "$ACTIVE_TAG" || { echo "Error: Failed to push tag '$ACTIVE_TAG' to origin." >&2; exit 1; }
echo ""
echo "Branch **$BRANCH_NAME** successfully marked as **ACTIVE**."
echo "You can view active branches with: **git tag --list 'active/*'**"
exit 0
```
-----
### 3\. `git-set-merged`
This script marks a contribution branch as successfully merged into `master` by creating a `merged/<branchname>` tag and removing any `active/` or `rejected/` tags.
```bash
#!/bin/bash
# Script: git-set-merged
# Purpose: To mark a contribution branch as successfully merged into master.
# Usage: git set-merged <branchname>
# --- Input Validation ---
if [ -z "$1" ]; then
echo "Usage: git set-merged <branchname>" >&2
echo "Example: git set-merged SkybuckContribution001-MyFeature" >&2
exit 1
fi
BRANCH_NAME="$1"
MERGED_TAG="merged/$BRANCH_NAME"
# Check if the branch exists locally or remotely
if ! git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/heads/$BRANCH_NAME" && ! git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/remotes/origin/$BRANCH_NAME"; then
echo "Error: Branch '$BRANCH_NAME' does not exist locally or remotely." >&2
exit 1
fi
# Get the latest commit hash of the branch. Prioritize remote.
BRANCH_HASH=$(git rev-parse "refs/remotes/origin/$BRANCH_NAME^{commit}" 2>/dev/null || git rev-parse "refs/heads/$BRANCH_NAME^{commit}" 2>/dev/null)
if [ -z "$BRANCH_HASH" ]; then
echo "Error: Could not determine commit hash for branch '$BRANCH_NAME'." >&2
exit 1
fi
# Remove active/rejected tags if they exist
for STATUS_TAG_PREFIX in "active" "rejected"; do
if git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/tags/${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME"; then
echo "Removing existing remote tag: ${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME..."
git push origin --delete "${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME" || { echo "Warning: Failed to delete old remote tag ${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME." >&2; }
fi
done
# Create and push the merged tag
echo "Creating and pushing merged tag: '$MERGED_TAG' for branch '$BRANCH_NAME'..."
git tag -f "$MERGED_TAG" "$BRANCH_HASH" || { echo "Error: Failed to create local tag '$MERGED_TAG'." >&2; exit 1; }
git push -f origin "$MERGED_TAG" || { echo "Error: Failed to push tag '$MERGED_TAG' to origin." >&2; exit 1; }
echo ""
echo "Branch **$BRANCH_NAME** successfully marked as **MERGED**."
echo "It remains in your repository history."
exit 0
```
-----
### 4\. `git-set-rejected`
This script marks a contribution branch as not being integrated into `master` by creating a `rejected/<branchname>` tag and removing any `active/` or `merged/` tags.
```bash
#!/bin/bash
# Script: git-set-rejected
# Purpose: To mark a contribution branch as not being integrated into master.
# Usage: git set-rejected <branchname>
# --- Input Validation ---
if [ -z "$1" ]; then
echo "Usage: git set-rejected <branchname>" >&2
echo "Example: git set-rejected AI0001Contribution002-ExperimentalAlgorithm" >&2
exit 1
fi
BRANCH_NAME="$1"
REJECTED_TAG="rejected/$BRANCH_NAME"
# Check if the branch exists locally or remotely
if ! git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/heads/$BRANCH_NAME" && ! git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/remotes/origin/$BRANCH_NAME"; then
echo "Error: Branch '$BRANCH_NAME' does not exist locally or remotely." >&2
exit 1
fi
# Get the latest commit hash of the branch. Prioritize remote.
BRANCH_HASH=$(git rev-parse "refs/remotes/origin/$BRANCH_NAME^{commit}" 2>/dev/null || git rev-parse "refs/heads/$BRANCH_NAME^{commit}" 2>/dev/null)
if [ -z "$BRANCH_HASH" ]; then
echo "Error: Could not determine commit hash for branch '$BRANCH_NAME'." >&2
exit 1
fi
# Remove active/merged tags if they exist
for STATUS_TAG_PREFIX in "active" "merged"; do
if git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/tags/${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME"; then
echo "Removing existing remote tag: ${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME..."
git push origin --delete "${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME" || { echo "Warning: Failed to delete old remote tag ${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME." >&2; }
fi
done
# Create and push the rejected tag
echo "Creating and pushing rejected tag: '$REJECTED_TAG' for branch '$BRANCH_NAME'..."
git tag -f "$REJECTED_TAG" "$BRANCH_HASH" || { echo "Error: Failed to create local tag '$REJECTED_TAG'." >&2; exit 1; }
git push -f origin "$REJECTED_TAG" || { echo "Error: Failed to push tag '$REJECTED_TAG' to origin." >&2; exit 1; }
echo ""
echo "Branch **$BRANCH_NAME** successfully marked as **REJECTED**."
echo "It remains in your repository history for reference."
exit 0
```
-----
### 5\. `git-set-revive`
This script "re-activates" an *existing* contribution branch that was previously marked as `merged` or `rejected`. It removes the old status tag and re-applies the `active/` tag.
```bash
#!/bin/bash
# Script: git-set-revive
# Purpose: To re-activate an EXISTING contribution branch that was previously merged or rejected.
# Usage: git set-revive <branchname>
# --- Input Validation ---
if [ -z "$1" ]; then
echo "Usage: git set-revive <branchname>" >&2
echo "Example: git set-revive SkybuckContribution005-BugfixRethink" >&2
exit 1
fi
BRANCH_NAME="$1"
# Check if the branch exists locally or remotely
if ! git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/heads/$BRANCH_NAME" && ! git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/remotes/origin/$BRANCH_NAME"; then
echo "Error: Branch '$BRANCH_NAME' does not exist locally or remotely." >&2
exit 1
fi
# Check if it currently has a merged or rejected tag
HAS_MERGED_TAG=$(git ls-remote --tags origin "merged/$BRANCH_NAME")
HAS_REJECTED_TAG=$(git ls-remote --tags origin "rejected/$BRANCH_NAME")
if [ -z "$HAS_MERGED_TAG" ] && [ -z "$HAS_REJECTED_TAG" ]; then
echo "Error: Branch '$BRANCH_NAME' is not currently marked as 'merged/' or 'rejected/'. Cannot revive." >&2
echo "If it's active, use 'git set-active' to refresh its tag." >&2
exit 1
fi
echo "Attempting to revive branch '$BRANCH_NAME'..."
# Remove old status tags
for STATUS_TAG_PREFIX in "merged" "rejected"; do
if git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/tags/${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME"; then
echo "Removing existing remote tag: ${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME..."
git push origin --delete "${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME" || { echo "Warning: Failed to delete old remote tag ${STATUS_TAG_PREFIX}/$BRANCH_NAME." >&2; }
fi
done
# Call git-set-active to apply the active tag
echo "---"
echo "Calling git set-active to mark as active..."
"$(dirname "$0")/git-set-active" "$BRANCH_NAME" || { echo "Error: Failed to set branch as active during revival. Please run 'git set-active $BRANCH_NAME' manually." >&2; exit 1; }
echo ""
echo "Branch **$BRANCH_NAME** successfully **REVIVED** and marked as **ACTIVE**."
echo "Remember, this branch's history has NOT been rebased onto master."
echo "You are now on this branch if you were already there. To switch: **git checkout $BRANCH_NAME**"
exit 0
```
-----
### 6\. `git-back-to`
This script creates a *new* development branch starting at a specified historical tag/commit.
```bash
#!/bin/bash
# Script: git-back-to
# Purpose: To create a NEW development branch from any specific historical point (a tag).
# Usage: git back-to <tagname_of_old_commit> "<new_branch_description>"
# --- Input Validation ---
if [ -z "$1" ] || [ -z "$2" ]; then
echo "Usage: git back-to <tagname_of_old_commit> \"<new_branch_description>\"" >&2
echo "Example: git back-to merged/AI0001Contribution007-OldAPIDesign \"Re-evaluate V1 API for performance\"" >&2
exit 1
fi
OLD_TAG_NAME="$1"
NEW_BRANCH_DESCRIPTION_RAW="$2"
# --- Configuration ---
# Get UserPrefix from git config, default to sanitized user.name
USER_PREFIX=$(git config user.contributionPrefix)
if [ -z "$USER_PREFIX" ]; then
USER_PREFIX=$(git config user.name | tr -cd '[:alnum:]' | head -c 10) # Sanitize and truncate
if [ -z "$USER_PREFIX" ]; then
echo "Error: Git user.name or user.contributionPrefix not set." >&2
echo "Please configure them: git config --global user.name \"Your Name\"" >&2
echo "Or: git config --global user.contributionPrefix \"YourPrefix\"" >&2
exit 1
fi
fi
# Slugify description
NEW_BRANCH_DESCRIPTION_SLUGIFIED=$(echo "$NEW_BRANCH_DESCRIPTION_RAW" | tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]' | sed -E 's/[^a-z0-9]+/-/g' | sed -E 's/^-+|-+$//g' | head -c 50)
if [ -z "$NEW_BRANCH_DESCRIPTION_SLUGIFIED" ]; then
echo "Error: New branch description cannot be empty or result in an empty slug." >&2
exit 1
fi
# Check if tag exists
if ! git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/tags/$OLD_TAG_NAME" && ! git ls-remote --tags origin "refs/tags/$OLD_TAG_NAME"; then
echo "Error: Tag '$OLD_TAG_NAME' does not exist locally or remotely. Please ensure it's fetched." >&2
exit 1
fi
# 2. Determine next contribution number for the new branch
LAST_NUM=$(git for-each-ref --format='%(refname:short)' refs/{heads,remotes/origin}/"${USER_PREFIX}Contribution"* 2>/dev/null | \
grep -E "^${USER_PREFIX}Contribution[0-9]{3}-" | \
sed -E "s/^${USER_PREFIX}Contribution([0-9]{3})-.*$/\\1/" | \
sort -n | tail -1)
NEXT_NUM=1
if [ -n "$LAST_NUM" ]; then
NEXT_NUM=$((10#$LAST_NUM + 1))
fi
FORMATTED_NEXT_NUM=$(printf "%03d" "$NEXT_NUM")
NEW_BRANCH_NAME="${USER_PREFIX}Contribution${FORMATTED_NEXT_NUM}-${NEW_BRANCH_DESCRIPTION_SLUGIFIED}"
# Check if branch already exists locally or remotely
if git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/heads/$NEW_BRANCH_NAME" || git show-ref --quiet --verify "refs/remotes/origin/$NEW_BRANCH_NAME"; then
echo "Error: New branch name '$NEW_BRANCH_NAME' already exists. This should not happen with sequential numbering." >&2
exit 1
fi
# 3. Create new local branch from tag
echo "Creating new branch '**$NEW_BRANCH_NAME**' from historical tag '**$OLD_TAG_NAME**'..."
git checkout -b "$NEW_BRANCH_NAME" "$OLD_TAG_NAME" || { echo "Error: Failed to create local branch '$NEW_BRANCH_NAME' from tag '$OLD_TAG_NAME'." >&2; exit 1; }
# 4. Push new branch to remote
echo "Pushing new branch '**$NEW_BRANCH_NAME**' to remote origin..."
git push -u origin "$NEW_BRANCH_NAME" || { echo "Error: Failed to push new branch to origin." >&2; exit 1; }
echo "---"
# 5. Call git-set-active
echo "Calling git set-active to mark as active..."
"$(dirname "$0")/git-set-active" "$NEW_BRANCH_NAME" || { echo "Warning: Failed to set branch as active. Please run 'git set-active $NEW_BRANCH_NAME' manually." >&2; }
echo ""
echo "Successfully created and activated new branch from historical tag:"
echo "-> Branch **$NEW_BRANCH_NAME** is based on **$OLD_TAG_NAME**."
echo "You are now on this branch. If you wish to bring it up to master, use **git the-future**."
exit 0
```
-----
### 7\. `git-the-future`
This script rebases the current branch onto the latest `master`, guiding the user through conflict resolution.
```bash
#!/bin/bash
# Script: git-the-future
# Purpose: To initiate the rebasing of the current active branch onto the latest master branch.
# Usage: git the-future
# --- Core Logic ---
CURRENT_BRANCH=$(git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD)
# Validate user is on a branch and not master
if [ "$CURRENT_BRANCH" = "HEAD" ] || [ "$CURRENT_BRANCH" = "" ]; then
echo "Error: You are not on a branch (detached HEAD). Please checkout a branch first." >&2
exit 1
fi
if [ "$CURRENT_BRANCH" = "master" ]; then
echo "Error: Cannot run 'git the-future' on the master branch." >&2
echo "This command is designed to rebase a feature branch onto master." >&2
exit 1
fi
echo "Preparing to rebase current branch '**${CURRENT_BRANCH}**' onto the latest **master**."
# Update local master
echo "Updating local master branch..."
git checkout master || { echo "Error: Could not checkout master." >&2; exit 1; }
git pull origin master || { echo "Error: Could not pull origin master. Please resolve manually or try again." >&2; exit 1; }
# Checkout original branch
git checkout "$CURRENT_BRANCH" || { echo "Error: Could not checkout original branch ${CURRENT_BRANCH}." >&2; exit 1; }
echo ""
echo "Starting rebase of **${CURRENT_BRANCH}** onto **master**..."
echo "---"
git rebase master
REBASE_STATUS=$? # Capture the exit status of the rebase command
if [ $REBASE_STATUS -eq 0 ]; then
echo "---"
echo "Rebase completed successfully!"
echo "Your branch **${CURRENT_BRANCH}** is now rebased on top of the latest **master**."
echo "To update the remote branch, you will likely need to force push (use --force-with-lease for safety):"
echo " **git push --force-with-lease origin ${CURRENT_BRANCH}**"
elif [ $REBASE_STATUS -eq 1 ]; then
echo "---"
echo "Rebase paused due to conflicts!" >&2
echo "Please resolve the conflicts manually in your files." >&2
echo "After resolving, use these commands:" >&2
echo " **git add .**" >&2
echo " **git rebase --continue**" >&2
echo "If you wish to abort the rebase:" >&2
echo " **git rebase --abort**" >&2
exit 1 # Indicate failure due to conflicts
else
echo "---"
echo "Rebase failed for an unexpected reason (exit code $REBASE_STATUS)." >&2
echo "Please investigate the git output above." >&2
exit 1
fi
exit 0
```
How do I store and use/test these scripts ?
That's an excellent and crucial question\! Having the scripts is one thing, but knowing how to set them up and test them is key to making your workflow a reality.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to store, use, and test these scripts on both Linux and Windows (using Git Bash).
-----
## Storing, Using, and Testing Your Git Workflow Scripts
These scripts are written in Bash, so they will work natively on Linux and within the Git Bash environment on Windows. They will **not** work directly in Windows Command Prompt (CMD) or PowerShell.
### Step 1: Create a Dedicated Directory for Your Scripts
It's best practice to keep your custom scripts organized in a dedicated directory.
* **Choose a location:** A common choice is `~/bin` (a `bin` folder in your home directory) or you can create a new one like `~/git-commands`. Let's use `~/git-commands` for this guide.
* **Create the directory:**
```bash
mkdir -p ~/git-commands
```
(The `-p` flag ensures that if `~` doesn't have a directory named `git-commands`, it will create it.)
### Step 2: Save Each Script to Its Own File
For each of the 7 scripts I provided (e.g., `git-new-contribution`, `git-set-active`, etc.):
1. **Open a text editor:** Use a plain text editor (like VS Code, Notepad++, Sublime Text, Vim, Nano, Gedit, etc.).
2. **Copy the entire script content:** Copy the full Bash script code for one command.
3. **Paste into the editor.**
4. **Save the file:** Save the file into your `~/git-commands` directory.
* **Crucially, name the file exactly as specified:**
* `git-new-contribution`
* `git-set-active`
* `git-set-merged`
* `git-set-rejected`
* `git-set-revive`
* `git-back-to`
* `git-the-future`
* **Do NOT add a `.sh` extension** (e.g., don't save as `git-new-contribution.sh`). Git expects the executable to be named `git-yourcommand`.
Repeat this for all 7 scripts.
### Step 3: Make the Scripts Executable
For your operating system to run these files as programs, you need to set their executable permission.
* **Open your terminal (Bash on Linux, Git Bash on Windows).**
* **Navigate to your scripts directory:**
```bash
cd ~/git-commands
```
* **Make all scripts executable:**
```bash
chmod +x git-*
```
(This command makes all files starting with `git-` in the current directory executable.)
### Step 4: Add the Scripts Directory to Your System's PATH
Your shell needs to know where to find these custom `git-` commands. You do this by adding your `~/git-commands` directory to your `PATH` environment variable.
* **Open your terminal (Bash on Linux, Git Bash on Windows).**
* **Edit your shell's configuration file:**
* **Linux (Bash):** `nano ~/.bashrc` or `vim ~/.bashrc`
* **Linux (Zsh):** `nano ~/.zshrc` or `vim ~/.zshrc`
* **Windows (Git Bash):** `nano ~/.bashrc` or `nano ~/.profile` (either works, `.bashrc` is common)
* **Add the following line to the end of the file:**
```bash
export PATH="$PATH:$HOME/git-commands"
```
* **Save and close the file.**
* **Apply the changes:**
* **For the current session:** Run `source ~/.bashrc` (or `source ~/.zshrc` / `source ~/.profile`).
* **For future sessions:** Close and reopen your terminal.
### Step 5: Configure Git User Details (If Not Already Done)
Your scripts rely on your Git user name and email, and specifically a `user.contributionPrefix`.
* **Set your global Git user name and email:**
```bash
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "your.email@example.com"
```
* **Set your custom contribution prefix:**
```bash
git config --global user.contributionPrefix "Skybuck" # Or "AI0001", "JohnDoe", etc.
```
(The scripts will fall back to a sanitized version of `user.name` if `user.contributionPrefix` isn't set, but setting it explicitly is cleaner.)
### Step 6: Test Your Commands\!
Now you can test your custom workflow commands.
* **Navigate to an existing Git repository** where you want to test, or create a new one:
```bash
mkdir my-test-repo
cd my-test-repo
git init
touch README.md
git add README.md
git commit -m "Initial commit"
# Create a remote for testing (e.g., on GitHub, GitLab, or a local bare repo)
# git remote add origin <your_remote_repo_url>
# git push -u origin master
```
* **Test `git new-contribution`:**
```bash
git new-contribution Skybuck "My first test feature"
```
You should see output indicating branch creation, pushing, and activation.
* Verify: `git branch -a` (you should see your new branch) and `git tag --list 'active/*'` (you should see `active/SkybuckContribution001-My-first-test-feature`).
* **Test `git set-merged` (after some commits on the new branch, and ideally merging into master):**
```bash
# (Make some commits on SkybuckContribution001-My-first-test-feature)
# (Simulate merging into master - e.g., git checkout master && git merge SkybuckContribution001-My-first-test-feature)
git set-merged SkybuckContribution001-My-first-test-feature
```
* Verify: `git tag --list 'active/*'` (should no longer show it) and `git tag --list 'merged/*'` (should now show `merged/SkybuckContribution001-My-first-test-feature`).
* **Test `git back-to` and `git the-future`:**
```bash
# Assuming SkybuckContribution001-My-first-test-feature was merged and tagged
git back-to merged/SkybuckContribution001-My-first-test-feature "Testing revival and rebase"
# This creates a new branch (e.g., SkybuckContribution002-Testing-revival-and-rebase)
# You will be on this new branch.
# Make a small change on this new branch
echo "New line for revival" >> test.txt
git add test.txt
git commit -m "Added line to revived branch"
# Now, try to bring it up to master
git the-future
# Follow any instructions if conflicts occur.
# After successful rebase, push: git push --force-with-lease origin SkybuckContribution002-Testing-revival-and-rebase
```
By following these steps, you'll have your custom Git workflow up and running, ready for your extensive testing\!
Bye,
Skybuck Flying
skybuck2000@hotmail.com
^ permalink raw reply [flat|nested] 14+ messages in thread
* Re: [RFC] Proposed Git Workflow for Permanent History, Explicit Branch Status, and Developer Continuity
2025-07-25 19:24 ` Skybuck Flying
@ 2025-07-25 20:21 ` Skybuck Flying
2025-07-25 20:38 ` Skybuck Flying
0 siblings, 1 reply; 14+ messages in thread
From: Skybuck Flying @ 2025-07-25 20:21 UTC (permalink / raw)
To: git@vger.kernel.org
Hello, Git-Curious People 🙂
My final contribution to this topic, at least for today.
I asked Google's Gemini Flash 2.5 how to utilize this workflow for 1 coordinator AI and 12 worker AI.
(Currently I am experimenting with Google's powerfull Gemini API and Gemini CLI + Gitea + PostGreSQL + (optionally MailEnable) to run 1 coordinate AI and 12 worker AI in parallel to convert a GO (golang) project to Delphi (Delphi/pascal). The code is from ViteLabs vite blockchain. I would like to analyze/understand/evaluate both projects, the conversion attempt and the blockchain itself, for the blockchain for me it's easier to understand Delphi code, and it frees me from having to learn GO code and I don't quite like it's syntax and non-object orientation after doing at least 30 years of Object Pascal/Turbo Pascal/Delph, I hope you understand ;) I also dream of extending this project beyond it's current capabilities or a least bring back some wallet/gui functionality and especially a distributed exchange, which unfortunately went down, also to make my vite coins valuable again or start a derivate blockchain and start new.)
Anyway this software setup allows git to run in parallel on a single Windows 11 machine.
The full hardware specification for this system/machine is here in case interested:
https://www.skybuck.org/Hardware/SuperPC2023/Skybuck's%20SuperPC%20for%202023%20design%20version%2011%20final.txt
This is a very powerfull and high quality machine/PC. Unfortunately the Windows 11 GUI (Graphical User Interfaces) leaves much to be desired. The nice thing though is that Microsoft Windows 11 seems to almost run anything that I throw at it. Unfortunately Microsoft Visual Studio 2022 as usual is the exception LOL (though maybe just github specific project source code bugs when needing to build from source ? hmmm).
Anyway Gemini is an incredibly powerfull Artificial Intelligence. Running 13 processes is barely scratching the capabilities of this local PC. Interestingly enough this combines it with the power of Google's Data Center and thus it conserves logic energy and dust accumilation and overheat risks.
Best of all, Gemini API/Gemini CLI is completely free, and 12 Gemini API keys can be acquired for a single google account. As far as I know Google allows 2 accounts per telephone number or maybe just 1 ?
In case you have not heard yet, or seen the capabilities of this Gemini AI, I can highly recommend it, it has a HUGE context window of 1 million tokens, which is very important for it's context/memory/brain/capabilities, I considered leading edge right now.
It's also very fast, this nice big fast context window, plus it's speed makes it suited for large "system prompt". For example the "partial system prompt" below will be peanuts for Google Gemini AI:
Fortunately and amazingly enough Gemini seems to understand this workflow and seems to know how to utilize it. I almost can't wait to try it out. However this will ofcourse require functioning scripts.
Plus it needs a communication system. I do have one in place, but it's tailored for Windows 11, not Linux/Bash/MingW etc. But maybe I and the AI can pull out a miracle and somehow get it ported/working in linux/mingw/git bash as well, maybe through the help of free pascal or kylix, both for linux.
I am not sure if git bash on windows can execute windows 11 executables, I think so, or maybe linux executables... I think it's windows based not sure... and my communication tool/exe would need to communicate with PostGreSQL database running locally as well, not sure if git bash can do this...
Maybe "firewalled ?" probably not... So in case I have to use git bash the complexity rises further...
Anyway for what it is worth I share the adoption of this workflow, suited for a GEMINI.md which is a system prompt. Please take note GEMINI.md can be split into multiple files, even folders, can be loaded with @file I believe, I will try this out tomorrow, so still lots of work to do, to make this a reality.
Anyway it's interesting to see how the AI believes this workflow and these commands should be used together with existing GIT commands, I believe it will definetly help humans/users to understand/and/or formulate their own system prompts/adopted workflows if so desired.
Consider this an example of how to use this new (?) work flow:
Here is the content of the "Skybuck Git Workflow" document, presented in plain text Markdown for easy copy-pasting into your web browser, and then again as a Markdown immersive for your local `gemini.md` file.
````markdown
# The Skybuck Git Workflow: Permanent History & Controlled Evolution
This document outlines the "Skybuck Git Workflow," a robust version control strategy designed for our team to ensure complete historical traceability, clear project status, and efficient collaboration. It leverages Git's power while addressing common challenges like lost history and branch sprawl.
### 1. Core Principles
This workflow is built on the following foundational ideas:
* **History is Sacred & Permanent:** Once a commit or branch is pushed, it remains in the repository forever. We explicitly **never delete core contribution branches**, eliminating the risk of accidental data loss.
* **Explicit Branch Status:** We use lightweight Git tags to clearly denote the lifecycle stage of each contribution branch (`active`, `merged`, `rejected`). No more guessing a branch's purpose!
* **Personal Developer Continuity:** Each developer maintains their own sequentially numbered "contribution" branches (`UserPrefixContributionNNN-Description`), providing a clear, personal history of their work, regardless of `master`'s evolution.
* **Intentional Development:** Every new coding session or task starts with a new, incremented version, clearly defining its objective.
* **"Time-Travel" Capabilities:** The workflow allows us to easily revisit past code to fix/examine bugs, understand historical implementations, explore "what-if" scenarios, or even salvage previous work.
* **Controlled Integration:** `master` remains the authoritative, stable branch. New work ideally branches from the latest `master` for smoother integration.
---
### 2. Team Roles & Responsibilities
This workflow clearly defines responsibilities for the **Coordinator** and **Workers**:
* **Coordinator (1): AIMain**
* Manages the `master` branch.
* Reviews Pull Requests (PRs).
* Uses `git set-merged` after a successful merge to `master`.
* Uses `git set-rejected` for work that will not be integrated.
* Ensures overall workflow adherence and repository health.
* **Workers (12): AI0001 to AI0012**
* Initiate new development using `git new-contribution`.
* Develop features/fixes on their personal contribution branches.
* Use `git the-future` to keep their branches updated with `master` (rebasing).
* Submit Pull Requests for review.
* May use `git set-revive` or `git back-to` for specific historical work.
---
### 3. Branching Strategy
* **`master` Branch:**
* The single, authoritative main branch representing the stable, production-ready state of the project.
* All new development branches should ideally originate from the latest `master`.
* Only `merged` contribution branches are integrated into `master`.
* **`UserPrefixContributionNNN-Description` Branches:**
* These are the primary development branches for individual contributors (e.g., `SkybuckContribution001-ImplementLogin`, `AI0001Contribution002-RefactorDatabase`).
* The `NNN` (e.g., `001`, `002`) provides a clear personal sequence of contributions for the developer.
* **These branches are never deleted from the remote.**
---
### 4. Branch Lifecycle & Status Tags
Instead of deleting branches, we use tags to denote their status. These tags are pushed to the remote for global visibility.
* **`active/<branchname>`:** Indicates a branch is currently under development, active review, or active re-evaluation.
* **`merged/<branchname>`:** Indicates a branch has been successfully integrated (merged) into the `master` branch. The branch itself persists, but this tag marks its completion and successful integration.
* **`rejected/<branchname>`:** Indicates a branch was reviewed but will not be merged into `master` (e.g., due to design decision, incompleteness, or being superseded). The branch itself persists, but this tag marks its final non-integrated status.
---
### 5. Custom Git Commands (Implemented as Bash Scripts)
These commands encapsulate the workflow logic, providing a high-level, safe, and intuitive interface. They are implemented as Bash scripts (e.g., `git-new-contribution`) and are accessible via `git <command-name>` (e.g., `git new-contribution`).
#### 5.1. `git new-contribution <UserPrefix> <Description/Goal>`
* **Purpose:** To initiate a brand new development effort from the latest `master`. This is the **primary command for workers to start most new features or fixes.**
* **Role in Workflow:** Worker initiates new work.
* **Action (Brief):** Fetches `master`, determines next sequential number for `<UserPrefix>`, creates `UserPrefixContributionNNN-Description` from `master`, pushes it, and automatically sets it `active/`.
* **Example Usage:** `git new-contribution Skybuck "User profile management"`
#### 5.2. `git set-active <branchname>`
* **Purpose:** To explicitly mark an existing contribution branch as currently active or in progress. Primarily used by the scripts themselves, but can be manually invoked.
* **Role in Workflow:** Status management.
* **Action (Brief):** Removes any `merged/` or `rejected/` tags, creates/updates an `active/branchname` tag.
* **Example Usage:** `git set-active SkybuckContribution003-ImplementFeatureX`
#### 5.3. `git set-merged <branchname>`
* **Purpose:** To mark a contribution branch as successfully merged into `master`.
* **Role in Workflow:** **Coordinator's action** after a successful Pull Request merge.
* **Action (Brief):** Removes `active/` or `rejected/` tags, creates a `merged/branchname` tag.
* **Example Usage:** `git set-merged SkybuckContribution003-FeatureX`
#### 5.4. `git set-rejected <branchname>`
* **Purpose:** To mark a contribution branch as not being integrated into `master`.
* **Role in Workflow:** **Coordinator's action** for rejected work.
* **Action (Brief):** Removes `active/` or `merged/` tags, creates a `rejected/branchname` tag.
* **Example Usage:** `git set-rejected AI0001Contribution002-ExperimentalAlgorithm`
#### 5.5. `git set-revive <branchname>`
* **Purpose:** To "re-activate" an *existing* `merged/` or `rejected/` contribution branch for continuation *in its original historical context*.
* **Role in Workflow:** Worker's tool for resuming work on an old, specific branch version.
* **Action (Brief):** Removes `merged/` or `rejected/` tags, and sets the branch `active/`.
* **Important Note:** This does **NOT** rebase the branch onto `master`. The branch will remain based on its original ancestor, potentially diverging from the current `master`. Integration of subsequent work would be handled manually.
* **Example Usage:** `git set-revive SkybuckContribution005-BugfixRethink`
### 6. The "Back to the Future" Combo: `git back-to` and `git the-future`
This is a powerful two-command sequence designed for bringing historical code (from an old tag) forward to align with, or be evaluated against, the current state of the `master` branch. It separates the act of creating a branch from old code, from the potentially interactive process of modernizing it. Think of it as your personal DeLorean for code!
#### 6.1. **Stage 1: `git back-to <tagname_of_old_commit> <new_branch_description>`**
* **Purpose:** This is your initial "time-travel" command. Its job is to create a **brand new, clean development branch** that starts *exactly* at the historical commit pointed to by your chosen tag. It isolates this old code, giving you a fresh workspace.
* **Role in Workflow:** Worker's tool for starting new work from a specific historical snapshot.
* **Action (Brief):** Generates a new `UserPrefixContributionNNN-Description` name, creates the new branch at `<tagname>`, pushes it, and sets it `active/`.
* **Example Usage:** `git back-to merged/AI0001Contribution007-OldAPIDesign "Re-evaluate V1 API for performance"`
```bash
# This creates branch AI0001Contribution008-Re-evaluateV1APIForPerformance,
# and sets it active. You are now working on code from that old point in time.
```
* **Important Note (Initial State):** The new branch created by `git back-to` is *not* automatically updated with the current `master` branch's changes. It's truly a snapshot of the past.
#### 6.2. **Stage 2: `git the-future` (or `git the-future-rebase`)**
* **Purpose:** This command is the "modernization" step. Once you're on a branch (often one created by `git back-to`) that you want to bring up to date with the latest `master`, `git the-future` initiates the rebase process.
* **Role in Workflow:** Worker's tool for updating a branch's base to the latest `master`.
* **Action (Brief):** Ensures `master` is up-to-date, executes `git rebase master`, and **crucially guides the user through conflict resolution** (prompting for `git add .` and `git rebase --continue`).
* **Example Usage:** (After creating and switching to `AI0001Contribution008-Re-evaluateV1APIForPerformance`) `git the-future`
```bash
# Git will now walk you through any conflicts as it replays your commits on top of master.
# Once done, you'd push your changes and propose a merge request to master.
```
### 7. Typical Workflow Scenarios
Here's how common development tasks fit into the Skybuck Git Workflow:
* **Starting a New Feature (Worker):**
1. `git new-contribution <YourPrefix> "Brief description of feature"`
2. Develop code, commit regularly.
3. Push your branch regularly: `git push`
* **Keeping Your Feature Branch Updated (Worker - Optional/Periodic)::**
1. `git checkout <your-feature-branch>`
2. `git the-future` (Resolve any conflicts as prompted)
3. Push your rebased branch: `git push --force-with-lease`
* **Submitting for Review (Worker):**
1. Ensure your branch is up-to-date with `master` (using `git the-future`).
2. Create a Pull Request from your `UserPrefixContributionNNN-Description` branch to `master`.
* **Feature Accepted & Merged (Coordinator):**
1. Merge the Pull Request into `master` (via Git hosting platform or `git merge`).
2. Run: `git set-merged <merged-branch-name>`
* This removes `active/` tag, adds `merged/` tag. The branch remains forever.
* **Feature Rejected (Coordinator):**
1. Run: `git set-rejected <rejected-branch-name>`
* This removes `active/` tag, adds `rejected/` tag. The branch remains forever for historical reference.
* **Revisiting Old Work (Isolated Exploration - Worker):**
1. `git back-to <tagname_of_old_commit> "New description for this exploration"`
2. Develop and experiment on the new branch. This branch is isolated from current `master`.
* **Revisiting Old Work (for Potential Integration - Worker):**
1. `git back-to <tagname_of_old_commit> "New description for integration attempt"`
2. Make necessary changes/fixes on the new branch.
3. `git the-future` (to rebase onto current `master` and resolve conflicts).
4. Push and submit a new Pull Request.
### 8. Benefits of this Workflow
* **True Historical Integrity:** Every development path is preserved, providing a complete audit trail.
* **Eliminates Data Loss Fear:** No more accidental deletions of valuable work.
* **Clear Repository State:** Tags provide an at-a-glance understanding of each branch's status.
* **Empowered Developers:** Each worker has a clear, sequential record of their contributions, fostering ownership and traceability.
* **Streamlined Operations:** Custom commands abstract complex Git operations into safer, more intuitive steps.
* **Improved Debugging:** Easily jump back to any tagged state to debug issues in their original context.
### 9. Setup & Prerequisites
To use this workflow, ensure you have Git installed and:
1. **Create a scripts directory:** `mkdir -p ~/git-commands`
2. **Save each custom command script** (e.g., `git-new-contribution`, `git-set-active`, etc.) into this directory, ensuring they are named without `.sh` extensions.
3. **Make scripts executable:** `chmod +x ~/git-commands/git-*`
4. **Add to PATH:** Add `export PATH="$PATH:$HOME/git-commands"` to your shell's configuration file (`~/.bashrc` or `~/.profile` for Git Bash on Windows) and restart your terminal.
5. **Configure Git User Prefix:** `git config --global user.contributionPrefix "YourPrefix"` (e.g., "Skybuck", "AI0001", "JohnDoe"). This is used for your personal branch naming.
````
Bye for now,
Skybuck Flying
skybuck2000@hotmail.com
^ permalink raw reply [flat|nested] 14+ messages in thread
* Re: [RFC] Proposed Git Workflow for Permanent History, Explicit Branch Status, and Developer Continuity
2025-07-25 20:21 ` Skybuck Flying
@ 2025-07-25 20:38 ` Skybuck Flying
2025-07-27 3:04 ` Skybuck Flying
0 siblings, 1 reply; 14+ messages in thread
From: Skybuck Flying @ 2025-07-25 20:38 UTC (permalink / raw)
To: git@vger.kernel.org
Hi,
One more little note though:
For now I don't really like the usage of pull requests in this workflow example, but I do know many others like it.
There are some downsides to pull requests, especially if it automatically removes branches.
Though maybe I will like it in the future. (I do see a little benefit, at l;east pull requests allow workers to communicate with the coordinates, maybe the coordinates can also communicate back, maybe via web hooks, not sure if gitea supports this if not then my communication tool, will come in handy, however my communication tool allows AI to collaborate on much more than just git/pull requests, but that also makes it kinda dangerous... it needs more research/testing to evaluate what AIs can really do and how dangerous they could become or how usefull, for now I am too focused on this particular project to perform any unnecessary experiment, but I might enjoy it in the future as long as these AIs don't take over my system ! ;) Sounds like a joke, but not really ;))
Pull requests also depend too much on the git server technology.
So I'd rather see a workflow example where instead of pull requests, simply git pushes are done to the remote repository/git server.
So I have some more work to do, to instruct the gemini AI, to change this workflow to not use pull requests and only git push, I might as well do so now, cause gemini is lightning fast, but I have to promise myself, this will be absolutely my last contribution for today:
My communication tool also developed with Gemini, it uses PostGreSQL and a simple database to store messages and a sort of message index/pointer database which keeps track of which message the AI has seen:
`AICommPostgreSQL.exe`
Usage:
* `AICommPostgreSQL send <sender_ai_id> <destination_ai_id | all> <message_content>`
* `AICommPostgreSQL receive <receiver_ai_id> <context_text> [source_ai_id | any]`
* `AICommPostgreSQL reset <password>`
A final attempt to integrate this communication tool into the work flow, at least for today:
# The Skybuck Git Workflow: Permanent History & Controlled Evolution
This document outlines the "Skybuck Git Workflow," a robust version control strategy designed for our team to ensure complete historical traceability, clear project status, and efficient collaboration. It leverages Git's power while addressing common challenges like lost history and branch sprawl.
### 1. Core Principles
This workflow is built on the following foundational ideas:
* **History is Sacred & Permanent:** Once a commit or branch is pushed, it remains in the repository forever. We explicitly **never delete core contribution branches**, eliminating the risk of accidental data loss.
* **Explicit Branch Status:** We use lightweight Git tags to clearly denote the lifecycle stage of each contribution branch (`active`, `merged`, `rejected`). No more guessing a branch's purpose!
* **Personal Developer Continuity:** Each developer maintains their own sequentially numbered "contribution" branches (`UserPrefixContributionNNN-Description`), providing a clear, personal history of their work, regardless of `master`'s evolution.
* **Intentional Development:** Every new coding session or task starts with a new, incremented version, clearly defining its objective.
* **"Time-Travel" Capabilities:** The workflow allows us to easily revisit past code to fix/examine bugs, understand historical implementations, explore "what-if" scenarios, or even salvage previous work.
* **Controlled Integration:** `master` remains the authoritative, stable branch. New work ideally branches from the latest `master` for smoother integration.
---
### 2. Team Roles & Responsibilities
This workflow clearly defines responsibilities for the **Coordinator** and **Workers**:
* **Coordinator (1): AIMain**
* Manages the `master` branch.
* Monitors worker branches for integration requests.
* Uses `git set-merged` after a successful merge to `master`.
* Uses `git set-rejected` for work that will not be integrated.
* Ensures overall workflow adherence and repository health.
* Communicates integration status and feedback to workers using `AICommPostgreSQL.exe`.
* **Workers (12): AI0001 to AI0012**
* Initiate new development using `git new-contribution`.
* Develop features/fixes by committing to their **local** personal contribution branches first.
* Push their local branches to the remote repository.
* Request integration from the Coordinator (`AIMain`) via the communication system.
* Use `git the-future` to keep their branches updated with `master` (rebasing).
* Receive communication from the Coordinator regarding integration status and feedback.
* May use `git set-revive` or `git back-to` for specific historical work.
---
### 3. Branching Strategy
* **`master` Branch:**
* The single, authoritative main branch representing the stable, production-ready state of the project.
* All new development branches should ideally originate from the latest `master`.
* Only `merged` contribution branches are integrated into `master`.
* **`UserPrefixContributionNNN-Description` Branches:**
* These are the primary development branches for individual contributors (e.g., `SkybuckContribution001-ImplementLogin`, `AI0001Contribution002-RefactorDatabase`).
* The `NNN` (e.g., `001`, `002`) provides a clear personal sequence of contributions for the developer.
* **These branches are never deleted from the remote.**
---
### 4. Branch Lifecycle & Status Tags
Instead of deleting branches, we use tags to denote their status. These tags are pushed to the remote for global visibility.
* **`active/<branchname>`:** Indicates a branch is currently under development, active review, or active re-evaluation.
* **`merged/<branchname>`:** Indicates a branch has been successfully integrated (merged) into the `master` branch. The branch itself persists, but this tag marks its completion and successful integration.
* **`rejected/<branchname>`:** Indicates a branch was reviewed but will not be merged into `master` (e.g., due to design decision, incompleteness, or being superseded). The branch itself persists, but this tag marks its final non-integrated status.
---
### 5. Custom Git Commands (Implemented as Bash Scripts)
These commands encapsulate the workflow logic, providing a high-level, safe, and intuitive interface. They are implemented as Bash scripts (e.g., `git-new-contribution`) and are accessible via `git <command-name>` (e.g., `git new-contribution`).
#### 5.1. `git new-contribution <UserPrefix> <Description/Goal>`
* **Purpose:** To initiate a brand new development effort from the latest `master`. This is the **primary command for workers to start most new features or fixes.**
* **Role in Workflow:** Worker initiates new work.
* **Action (Brief):** Fetches `master`, determines next sequential number for `<UserPrefix>`, creates `UserPrefixContributionNNN-Description` from `master`, pushes it, and automatically sets it `active/`.
* **Example Usage:** `git new-contribution Skybuck "User profile management"`
#### 5.2. `git set-active <branchname>`
* **Purpose:** To explicitly mark an existing contribution branch as currently active or in progress. Primarily used by the scripts themselves, but can be manually invoked.
* **Role in Workflow:** Status management.
* **Action (Brief):** Removes any `merged/` or `rejected/` tags, creates/updates an `active/branchname` tag.
* **Example Usage:** `git set-active SkybuckContribution003-ImplementFeatureX`
#### 5.3. `git set-merged <branchname>`
* **Purpose:** To mark a contribution branch as successfully merged into `master`.
* **Role in Workflow:** **Coordinator's action** after a successful merge.
* **Action (Brief):** Removes `active/` or `rejected/` tags, creates a `merged/branchname` tag.
* **Example Usage:** `git set-merged SkybuckContribution003-FeatureX`
#### 5.4. `git set-rejected <branchname>`
* **Purpose:** To mark a contribution branch as not being integrated into `master`.
* **Role in Workflow:** **Coordinator's action** for rejected work.
* **Action (Brief):** Removes `active/` or `merged/` tags, creates a `rejected/branchname` tag.
* **Example Usage:** `git set-rejected AI0001Contribution002-ExperimentalAlgorithm`
#### 5.5. `git set-revive <branchname>`
* **Purpose:** To "re-activate" an *existing* `merged/` or `rejected/` contribution branch for continuation *in its original historical context*.
* **Role in Workflow:** Worker's tool for resuming work on an old, specific branch version.
* **Action (Brief):** Removes `merged/` or `rejected/` tags, and sets the branch `active/`.
* **Important Note:** This does **NOT** rebase the branch onto `master`. The branch will remain based on its original ancestor, potentially diverging from the current `master`. Integration of subsequent work would be handled manually.
* **Example Usage:** `git set-revive SkybuckContribution005-BugfixRethink`
### 6. The "Back to the Future" Combo: `git back-to` and `git the-future`
This is a powerful two-command sequence designed for bringing historical code (from an old tag) forward to align with, or be evaluated against, the current state of the `master` branch. It separates the act of creating a branch from old code, from the potentially interactive process of modernizing it. Think of it as your personal DeLorean for code!
#### 6.1. **Stage 1: `git back-to <tagname_of_old_commit> <new_branch_description>`**
* **Purpose:** This is your initial "time-travel" command. Its job is to create a **brand new, clean development branch** that starts *exactly* at the historical commit pointed to by your chosen tag. It isolates this old code, giving you a fresh workspace.
* **Role in Workflow:** Worker's tool for starting new work from a specific historical snapshot.
* **Action (Brief):** Generates a new `UserPrefixContributionNNN-Description` name, creates the new branch at `<tagname>`, pushes it, and sets it `active/`.
* **Example Usage:** `git back-to merged/AI0001Contribution007-OldAPIDesign "Re-evaluate V1 API for performance"`
```bash
# This creates branch AI0001Contribution008-Re-evaluateV1APIForPerformance,
# and sets it active. You are now working on code from that old point in time.
```
* **Important Note (Initial State):** The new branch created by `git back-to` is *not* automatically updated with the current `master` branch's changes. It's truly a snapshot of the past.
#### 6.2. **Stage 2: `git the-future` (or `git the-future-rebase`)**
* **Purpose:** This command is the "modernization" step. Once you're on a branch (often one created by `git back-to`) that you want to bring up to date with the latest `master`, `git the-future` initiates the rebase process.
* **Role in Workflow:** Worker's tool for updating a branch's base to the latest `master`.
* **Action (Brief):** Ensures `master` is up-to-date, executes `git rebase master`, and **crucially guides the user through conflict resolution** (prompting for `git add .` and `git rebase --continue`).
* **Example Usage:** (After creating and switching to `AI0001Contribution008-Re-evaluateV1APIForPerformance`) `git the-future`
```bash
# Git will now walk you through any conflicts as it replays your commits on top of master.
# Once done, you'd push your changes and propose a merge request to master.
```
### 7. Typical Workflow Scenarios
Here's how common development tasks fit into the Skybuck Git Workflow:
* **Starting a New Feature (Worker):**
1. `git new-contribution <YourPrefix> "Brief description of feature"`
2. Develop code, committing regularly to your **local** branch.
3. Push your local branch to the remote repository: `git push origin <your-branch-name>`
* **Keeping Your Feature Branch Updated (Worker - Optional/Periodic):**
1. `git checkout <your-feature-branch>`
2. `git the-future` (Resolve any conflicts as prompted)
3. Push your rebased branch to the remote: `git push --force-with-lease origin <your-feature-branch>`
* **Requesting Integration (Worker):**
1. Ensure your branch is up-to-date with `master` (using `git the-future`).
2. Ensure all your changes are committed to your **local** branch.
3. Push your local branch to the remote repository: `git push origin <your-branch-name>`
4. **Send an integration request to AIMain:** `AICommPostgreSQL send <your_ai_id> AIMain "Integration request for branch <your-branch-name>"`
5. **Monitor for Coordinator's response:** `AICommPostgreSQL receive <your_ai_id> "Integration status"`
* **Integrating Worker Branch (Coordinator: AIMain):**
1. **Receive integration request from a worker:** `AICommPostgreSQL receive AIMain "Integration request" any`
2. Review the worker's branch (e.g., `git fetch origin <worker-branch-name>`).
3. Merge worker's branch into `master` (e.g., `git checkout master && git merge <worker-branch-name>`).
4. Push `master` to remote: `git push origin master`
5. Run: `git set-merged <merged-branch-name>`
* This removes `active/` tag, adds `merged/` tag. The branch remains forever.
6. **Communicate integration complete to worker:** `AICommPostgreSQL send AIMain <worker_ai_id> "Branch <merged-branch-name> successfully integrated into master."`
* **Feature Rejected (Coordinator: AIMain):**
1. (After reviewing request) Run: `git set-rejected <rejected-branch-name>`
* This removes `active/` tag, adds `rejected/` tag. The branch remains forever for historical reference.
2. **Communicate rejection to worker:** `AICommPostgreSQL send AIMain <worker_ai_id> "Branch <rejected-branch-name> rejected. Reason: [brief reason]."`
* **Revisiting Old Work (Isolated Exploration - Worker):**
1. `git back-to <tagname_of_old_commit> "New description for this exploration"`
2. Develop and experiment on the new branch. This branch is isolated from current `master`.
* **Revisiting Old Work (for Potential Integration - Worker):**
1. `git back-to <tagname_of_old_commit> "New description for integration attempt"`
2. Make necessary changes/fixes on the new branch.
3. `git the-future` (to rebase onto current `master` and resolve conflicts).
4. Push your branch to remote: `git push origin <your-branch-name>`
5. **Request integration from Coordinator:** `AICommPostgreSQL send <your_ai_id> AIMain "Integration request for branch <your-branch-name>"`
### 8. Benefits of this Workflow
* **True Historical Integrity:** Every development path is preserved, providing a complete audit trail.
* **Eliminates Data Loss Fear:** No more accidental deletions of valuable work.
* **Clear Repository State:** Tags provide an at-a-glance understanding of each branch's status.
* **Empowered Developers:** Each worker has a clear, sequential record of their contributions, fostering ownership and traceability.
* **Streamlined Operations:** Custom commands abstract complex Git operations into safer, more intuitive steps.
* **Improved Debugging:** Easily jump back to any tagged state to debug issues in their original context.
---
### 9. Communication System (`AICommPostgreSQL.exe`)
This command-line tool facilitates communication between the Coordinator (`AIMain`) and Workers (`AI0001` to `AI0012`) for workflow coordination.
* **`AICommPostgreSQL send <sender_ai_id> <destination_ai_id | all> <message_content>`**
* Used to send messages from one AI to another, or to all AIs.
* Example: `AICommPostgreSQL send AI0001 AIMain "Integration request for branch AI0001Contribution005-NewFeature"`
* **`AICommPostgreSQL receive <receiver_ai_id> <context_text> [source_ai_id | any]`**
* Used to receive messages for a specific AI, optionally filtering by source AI or context.
* Example: `AICommPostgreSQL receive AIMain "Integration request" any`
* **`AICommPostgreSQL reset <password>`**
* Used to reset the communication system (e.g., clear messages). Requires a password.
---
### 10. Setup & Prerequisites
To use this workflow, ensure you have Git installed and:
1. **Create a scripts directory:** `mkdir -p ~/git-commands`
2. **Save each custom command script** (e.g., `git-new-contribution`, `git-set-active`, etc.) into this directory, ensuring they are named without `.sh` extensions.
3. **Make scripts executable:** `chmod +x ~/git-commands/git-*`
4. **Add to PATH:** Add `export PATH="$PATH:$HOME/git-commands"` to your shell's configuration file (`~/.bashrc` or `~/.profile` for Git Bash on Windows) and restart your terminal.
5. **Configure Git User Prefix:** `git config --global user.contributionPrefix "YourPrefix"` (e.g., "Skybuck", "AI0001", "JohnDoe"). This is used for your personal branch naming.
Bye for now,
Skybuck Flying
skybuck2000@hotmail.com
^ permalink raw reply [flat|nested] 14+ messages in thread
* Re: [RFC] Proposed Git Workflow for Permanent History, Explicit Branch Status, and Developer Continuity
2025-07-25 20:38 ` Skybuck Flying
@ 2025-07-27 3:04 ` Skybuck Flying
2025-07-27 23:55 ` SuperLaserC from LaserA and LaserB, continue LaserA/B fresh from SuperLaserC was " Skybuck Flying
2025-08-29 19:42 ` Was "Re: [RFC] Proposed Git Workflow for Permanent History, Explicit Branch Status, and Developer Continuity" now "Skybuck's GitFlow" Skybuck Flying
0 siblings, 2 replies; 14+ messages in thread
From: Skybuck Flying @ 2025-07-27 3:04 UTC (permalink / raw)
To: git@vger.kernel.org
Good News,
Skybuck's Git Workflow is now a reality:
Gemini 2.5 Pro was capable and able to write the necessary enhancements in Delphi 12.3 computer programs.
The source code for these enhancements will be posted below in this message.
(Batch files and Powershell script were also briefly tried by Co-Pilot and Gemini but proved to difficult to get working, so I didn't bother with it, cause it takes too much time to get working right but the AI and pretty quickly switched to Delphi, which Gemini is either very good at, or Delphi is just a cleaner language and/or more powerful, it's quite amazing how fast the AI was capable to complete these implementations programs by using the rapid prototyping language knows as Delphi !)
Here are the source codes for the tools. (The build perfectly, no errors, and they were briefly tested by the AI, the coming days I will probably test them further and will also be used by the AI, they should come in handy...)
Compiling/Building them is very easy:
Simply separate and store the raw text into file names as follows:
git-back-to.dpr
git-new-contribution.dpr
git-set-active.dpr
git-set-merged.dpr
git-set-rejected.dpr
git-set-revive.dpr
git-the-future.dpr
And then build them with either:
dcc32 <filename.dpr>
or
dcc64 <filename.dpr>
or
simply load them in the Delphi ide.
So example:
dcc64 git-back-to.dpr
dcc64 git-new-contribution.dpr
dcc64 git-set-active.dpr
dcc64 git-set-merged.dpr
dcc64 git-set-rejected.dpr
dcc64 git-set-revive.dpr
dcc64 git-the-future.dpr
This will produce 7 executables (for/tested on Windows 11 23h2):
git-back-to.exe
git-new-contribution.exe
git-set-active.exe
git-set-merged.exe
git-set-rejected.exe
git-set-revive.exe
git-the-future.exe
Then simply store these somewhere in a folder, setup the path environment variable to point to them, by adding a new line in windows and injecting the folder into it and click save/apply/ok, etc.
(git-set-active.exe is more or less an "internal" command, it's sometimes used by the other exe.)
Here is the source code for each one of them, (each program starts with "program" and ends with "end.")
program git_back_to;
{$APPTYPE CONSOLE}
uses
System.SysUtils,
System.Classes,
System.RegularExpressions,
System.IOUtils,
Winapi.Windows;
function ExecuteCommand(const Command: string; out Output: TStringList): Integer;
var
SA: TSecurityAttributes;
SI: TStartupInfo;
PI: TProcessInformation;
hRead, hWrite: THandle;
Buffer: array[0..1023] of AnsiChar;
BytesRead: DWord;
Cmd: string;
FullOutput: AnsiString;
begin
Output := TStringList.Create;
Result := -1;
FullOutput := '';
SA.nLength := SizeOf(TSecurityAttributes);
SA.bInheritHandle := True;
SA.lpSecurityDescriptor := nil;
if not CreatePipe(hRead, hWrite, @SA, 0) then
Exit;
try
FillChar(SI, SizeOf(TStartupInfo), 0);
SI.cb := SizeOf(TStartupInfo);
SI.dwFlags := STARTF_USESTDHANDLES or STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW;
SI.hStdInput := GetStdHandle(STD_INPUT_HANDLE);
SI.hStdOutput := hWrite;
SI.hStdError := hWrite;
SI.wShowWindow := SW_HIDE;
Cmd := 'cmd.exe /C ' + Command;
if not CreateProcess(nil, PChar(Cmd), nil, nil, True, 0, nil, nil, SI, PI) then
begin
Exit;
end;
CloseHandle(hWrite);
try
while True do
begin
if not ReadFile(hRead, Buffer, SizeOf(Buffer) - 1, BytesRead, nil) or (BytesRead = 0) then
break;
Buffer[BytesRead] := #0;
FullOutput := FullOutput + AnsiString(Buffer);
end;
WaitForSingleObject(PI.hProcess, INFINITE);
GetExitCodeProcess(PI.hProcess, Cardinal(Result));
finally
CloseHandle(PI.hProcess);
CloseHandle(PI.hThread);
end;
finally
CloseHandle(hRead);
end;
Output.Text := string(FullOutput);
end;
function GetGitConfigValue(const ConfigKey: string): string;
var
Output: TStringList;
begin
Result := '';
Output := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git config ' + ConfigKey, Output) = 0 then
begin
if Output.Count > 0 then
Result := Trim(Output.Text);
end;
finally
Output.Free;
end;
end;
function Slugify(const Input: string): string;
begin
Result := Input.ToLower;
Result := TRegEx.Replace(Result, '[^a-z0-9]+', '-');
Result := TRegEx.Replace(Result, '^-+|-+$', '');
if Length(Result) > 50 then
Result := Copy(Result, 1, 50);
end;
function GetNextContributionNumber(const UserPrefix: string): Integer;
var
Output: TStringList;
MaxNum: Integer;
Match: TMatch;
Num: Integer;
S: string;
Regex: TRegEx;
begin
MaxNum := 0;
Output := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git for-each-ref --format="%(refname:short)" refs/heads refs/remotes/origin', Output) = 0 then
begin
S := Output.Text;
// The regex needs to be created with the user prefix
Regex := TRegEx.Create('^' + UserPrefix + 'Contribution(\d{3})-', [roMultiLine]);
for Match in Regex.Matches(S) do
begin
if Match.Success then
begin
Num := StrToIntDef(Match.Groups[1].Value, 0);
if Num > MaxNum then
MaxNum := Num;
end;
end;
end;
finally
Output.Free;
end;
Result := MaxNum + 1;
end;
function TagExists(const ParaTagName: string): boolean;
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
Result := False;
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/tags/' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := True;
end
else
begin
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git ls-remote --tags origin "refs/tags/' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := vOutput.Text <> '';
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
function BranchExists(const ParaBranchName: string): boolean;
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
Result := False;
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/heads/' + ParaBranchName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := True;
end
else
begin
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/remotes/origin/' + ParaBranchName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := True;
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
var
vOldTagName, vDescription, vUserPrefix, vSlug, vNewBranchName: string;
vNextNum: Integer;
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
try
// --- Input Validation ---
if ParamCount <> 2 then
begin
Writeln('Usage: git-back-to <tagname_of_old_commit> "<new_branch_description>"');
Writeln('Example: git-back-to merged/AI0001Contribution007-OldAPIDesign "Re-evaluate V1 API for performance"');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOldTagName := ParamStr(1);
vDescription := ParamStr(2);
// --- Configuration ---
vUserPrefix := GetGitConfigValue('user.contributionPrefix');
if vUserPrefix = '' then
begin
vUserPrefix := GetGitConfigValue('user.name');
if vUserPrefix <> '' then
begin
vUserPrefix := TRegEx.Replace(vUserPrefix, '[^a-zA-Z0-9]', '');
if Length(vUserPrefix) > 10 then
vUserPrefix := Copy(vUserPrefix, 1, 10);
end
else
begin
Writeln('Error: Git user.name or user.contributionPrefix not set.');
Writeln('Run: git config --global user.name "Your Name"');
Writeln('Or: git config --global user.contributionPrefix "YourPrefix"');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
end;
// --- Slugify Description ---
vSlug := Slugify(vDescription);
if vSlug = '' then
begin
Writeln('Error: Description resulted in empty slug.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
// --- Tag Existence Check ---
if not TagExists(vOldTagName) then
begin
Writeln('Error: Tag ''' + vOldTagName + ''' does not exist locally or remotely.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
// --- Determine Next Contribution Number ---
vNextNum := GetNextContributionNumber(vUserPrefix);
vNewBranchName := Format('%sContribution%0.3d-%s', [vUserPrefix, vNextNum, vSlug]);
// --- Check if branch already exists ---
if BranchExists(vNewBranchName) then
begin
Writeln('Error: Branch ''' + vNewBranchName + ''' already exists.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
// --- Create and Push Branch ---
Writeln('Creating new branch ''' + vNewBranchName + ''' from tag ''' + vOldTagName + '''...');
if ExecuteCommand('git checkout -b "' + vNewBranchName + '" "' + vOldTagName + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Failed to create branch from tag.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
Writeln('Pushing ''' + vNewBranchName + ''' to remote...');
if ExecuteCommand('git push -u origin "' + vNewBranchName + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Failed to push branch to origin.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
// --- Activate Branch ---
Writeln('---');
Writeln('Calling git-set-active to mark as active...');
if ExecuteCommand('cmd.exe /c "' + ExtractFilePath(ParamStr(0)) + 'git-set-active.exe" ' + vNewBranchName, vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Warning: Could not mark branch active. Run manually: git-set-active ' + vNewBranchName);
end;
Writeln(vOutput.Text);
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
Writeln('');
Writeln('Branch ''' + vNewBranchName + ''' successfully created and activated from tag ''' + vOldTagName + '''.');
Writeln('To upgrade it against latest master, use: git-the-future');
except
on E: Exception do
begin
Writeln(E.ClassName, ': ', E.Message);
ExitCode := 1;
end;
end;
end.
program git_new_contribution;
{$APPTYPE CONSOLE}
uses
System.SysUtils,
System.Classes,
System.RegularExpressions,
System.IOUtils,
Winapi.Windows;
function ExecuteCommand( const ParaCommand : string; out ParaOutput : TStringList ) : Integer;
var
vSA : TSecurityAttributes;
vSI : TStartupInfo;
vPI : TProcessInformation;
vhRead, vhWrite : THandle;
vBuffer : array[0..255] of AnsiChar;
vBytesRead : DWord;
vCmd : string;
begin
ParaOutput := TStringList.Create;
Result := -1;
vSA.nLength := SizeOf(TSecurityAttributes);
vSA.bInheritHandle := True;
vSA.lpSecurityDescriptor := nil;
if not CreatePipe(vhRead, vhWrite, @vSA, 0) then
begin
Exit;
end;
FillChar(vSI, SizeOf(TStartupInfo), 0);
vSI.cb := SizeOf(TStartupInfo);
vSI.dwFlags := STARTF_USESTDHANDLES or STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW;
vSI.hStdInput := GetStdHandle(STD_INPUT_HANDLE);
vSI.hStdOutput := vhWrite;
vSI.hStdError := vhWrite;
vSI.wShowWindow := SW_HIDE;
vCmd := 'cmd.exe /C ' + ParaCommand;
if not CreateProcess(nil, PChar(vCmd), nil, nil, True, 0, nil, nil, vSI, vPI) then
begin
CloseHandle(vhRead);
CloseHandle(vhWrite);
Exit;
end;
CloseHandle(vhWrite);
while True do
begin
if not ReadFile(vhRead, vBuffer, SizeOf(vBuffer) - 1, vBytesRead, nil) or (vBytesRead = 0) then
begin
break;
end;
vBuffer[vBytesRead] := #0;
ParaOutput.Add(string(vBuffer));
end;
WaitForSingleObject(vPI.hProcess, INFINITE);
GetExitCodeProcess(vPI.hProcess, Cardinal(Result));
CloseHandle(vhRead);
CloseHandle(vPI.hProcess);
CloseHandle(vPI.hThread);
end;
function GetGitConfigValue( const ParaConfigKey : string ) : string;
var
vOutput : TStringList;
begin
Result := '';
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git config ' + ParaConfigKey, vOutput) = 0 then
begin
if vOutput.Count > 0 then
begin
Result := Trim(vOutput.Text);
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
function Slugify( const ParaInput : string ) : string;
begin
Result := ParaInput.ToLower;
Result := TRegEx.Replace(Result, '[^a-z0-9]+', '-');
Result := TRegEx.Replace(Result, '^-+|-+$', '');
if Length(Result) > 50 then
begin
Result := Copy(Result, 1, 50);
end;
end;
function GetNextContributionNumber( const ParaUserPrefix : string ) : Integer;
var
vOutput : TStringList;
vMaxNum : Integer;
vMatch : TMatch;
vNum : Integer;
vS : string;
begin
vMaxNum := 0;
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git for-each-ref --format="%(refname:short)" refs/heads refs/remotes/origin', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
vS := vOutput.Text;
for vMatch in TRegEx.Matches(vS, '^' + ParaUserPrefix + 'Contribution(\d{3})-') do
begin
if vMatch.Success then
begin
vNum := StrToIntDef(vMatch.Groups[1].Value, 0);
if vNum > vMaxNum then
begin
vMaxNum := vNum;
end;
end;
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
Result := vMaxNum + 1;
end;
var
vUserPrefix, vDescription, vSlug, vNewBranchName : string;
vNextNum : Integer;
vOutput : TStringList;
begin
try
// --- Argument Parsing ---
if ParamCount = 1 then
begin
vDescription := ParamStr(1);
vUserPrefix := '';
end
else if ParamCount >= 2 then
begin
vUserPrefix := ParamStr(1);
vDescription := ParamStr(2);
end
else
begin
Writeln('Usage: git-new-contribution [<UserPrefix>] "<Description/Goal...>"');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
// --- Configuration ---
if vUserPrefix = '' then
begin
vUserPrefix := GetGitConfigValue('user.contributionPrefix');
if vUserPrefix = '' then
begin
vUserPrefix := GetGitConfigValue('user.name');
if vUserPrefix <> '' then
begin
vUserPrefix := TRegEx.Replace(vUserPrefix, '[^a-zA-Z0-9]', '');
if Length(vUserPrefix) > 10 then
begin
vUserPrefix := Copy(vUserPrefix, 1, 10);
end;
end
else
begin
Writeln('Error: User prefix not provided and not found in git config.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
end;
end;
// --- Slugify Description ---
vSlug := Slugify(vDescription);
if vSlug = '' then
begin
Writeln('Error: Description resulted in empty slug.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
// --- Core Git Logic ---
Writeln('Fetching latest master and switching to it...');
if ExecuteCommand('git checkout master', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Failed to checkout master.');
Writeln(vOutput.Text);
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git pull origin master', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Failed to pull latest master.');
Writeln(vOutput.Text);
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
// --- Determine Next Contribution Number ---
vNextNum := GetNextContributionNumber(vUserPrefix);
vNewBranchName := Format('%sContribution%0.3d-%s', [vUserPrefix, vNextNum, vSlug]);
// --- Check if Branch Already Exists ---
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify refs/heads/' + vNewBranchName, vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Local branch already exists.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify refs/remotes/origin/' + vNewBranchName, vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Remote branch already exists.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
// --- Create and Push Branch ---
Writeln('Creating new branch: ' + vNewBranchName);
if ExecuteCommand('git checkout -b ' + vNewBranchName + ' master', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Failed to create local branch.');
Writeln(vOutput.Text);
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git push -u origin ' + vNewBranchName, vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Failed to push new branch.');
Writeln(vOutput.Text);
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
// --- Set as Active ---
if ExecuteCommand('cmd.exe /c "' + ExtractFilePath(ParamStr(0)) + 'git-set-active.exe" ' + vNewBranchName, vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Warning: Failed to mark branch active.');
Writeln(vOutput.Text);
end;
vOutput.Clear;
Writeln('');
Writeln('Successfully created and activated new contribution branch:');
Writeln('-> **' + vNewBranchName + '**');
Writeln('You are now on this branch. Start coding!');
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
except
on E : Exception do
begin
Writeln(E.ClassName, ': ', E.Message);
ExitCode := 1;
end;
end;
end.
program git_set_active;
{$APPTYPE CONSOLE}
uses
System.SysUtils,
System.Classes,
System.IOUtils,
Winapi.Windows;
function ExecuteCommand(const Command: string; out Output: TStringList): Integer;
var
SA: TSecurityAttributes;
SI: TStartupInfo;
PI: TProcessInformation;
hRead, hWrite: THandle;
Buffer: array[0..1023] of AnsiChar;
BytesRead: DWord;
Cmd: string;
FullOutput: AnsiString;
begin
Output := TStringList.Create;
Result := -1;
FullOutput := '';
SA.nLength := SizeOf(TSecurityAttributes);
SA.bInheritHandle := True;
SA.lpSecurityDescriptor := nil;
if not CreatePipe(hRead, hWrite, @SA, 0) then
Exit;
try
FillChar(SI, SizeOf(TStartupInfo), 0);
SI.cb := SizeOf(TStartupInfo);
SI.dwFlags := STARTF_USESTDHANDLES or STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW;
SI.hStdInput := GetStdHandle(STD_INPUT_HANDLE);
SI.hStdOutput := hWrite;
SI.hStdError := hWrite;
SI.wShowWindow := SW_HIDE;
Cmd := 'cmd.exe /C ' + Command;
if not CreateProcess(nil, PChar(Cmd), nil, nil, True, 0, nil, nil, SI, PI) then
begin
Exit;
end;
CloseHandle(hWrite); // Close the write end of the pipe in the parent process
try
while True do
begin
if not ReadFile(hRead, Buffer, SizeOf(Buffer) - 1, BytesRead, nil) or (BytesRead = 0) then
break;
Buffer[BytesRead] := #0;
FullOutput := FullOutput + AnsiString(Buffer);
end;
WaitForSingleObject(PI.hProcess, INFINITE);
GetExitCodeProcess(PI.hProcess, Cardinal(Result));
finally
CloseHandle(PI.hProcess);
CloseHandle(PI.hThread);
end;
finally
CloseHandle(hRead);
end;
Output.Text := string(FullOutput);
end;
function BranchExists(const ParaBranchName: string): boolean;
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
Result := False;
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/heads/' + ParaBranchName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := True;
end
else
begin
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/remotes/origin/' + ParaBranchName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := True;
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
function GetBranchHash(const ParaBranchName: string): string;
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
Result := '';
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git rev-parse "refs/remotes/origin/' + ParaBranchName + '^{commit}"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := Trim(vOutput.Text);
end
else
begin
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git rev-parse "refs/heads/' + ParaBranchName + '^{commit}"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := Trim(vOutput.Text);
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
procedure DeleteTagIfExists(const ParaTagName: string);
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/tags/' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Writeln('Removing existing tag: ' + ParaTagName + '...');
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git push origin --delete "' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Warning: Failed to delete tag ' + ParaTagName + '.');
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
var
vBranchName, vActiveTag, vBranchHash: string;
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
try
// --- Input Validation ---
if ParamCount <> 1 then
begin
Writeln('Usage: git-set-active <branchname>');
Writeln('Example: git-set-active SkybuckContribution001-ImplementLogin');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vBranchName := ParamStr(1);
vActiveTag := 'active/' + vBranchName;
// --- Check Branch Existence ---
if not BranchExists(vBranchName) then
begin
Writeln('Error: Branch ''' + vBranchName + ''' not found locally or remotely.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
// --- Determine Commit Hash ---
vBranchHash := GetBranchHash(vBranchName);
if vBranchHash = '' then
begin
Writeln('Error: Unable to determine commit hash for branch ''' + vBranchName + '''.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
// --- Clean Up Old Tags ---
DeleteTagIfExists('merged/' + vBranchName);
DeleteTagIfExists('rejected/' + vBranchName);
// --- Create and Push Active Tag ---
Writeln('Creating and pushing active tag: ' + vActiveTag);
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git tag -f "' + vActiveTag + '" "' + vBranchHash + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Failed to create tag ' + vActiveTag);
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git push -f origin "' + vActiveTag + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Failed to push tag ' + vActiveTag + ' to origin');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
Writeln('');
Writeln('Branch ' + vBranchName + ' is now marked as ACTIVE.');
Writeln('To view active branches: git tag --list "active/*"');
except
on E: Exception do
begin
Writeln(E.ClassName, ': ', E.Message);
ExitCode := 1;
end;
end;
end.
program git_set_merged;
{$APPTYPE CONSOLE}
uses
System.SysUtils,
System.Classes,
System.IOUtils,
Winapi.Windows;
function ExecuteCommand(const Command: string; out Output: TStringList): Integer;
var
SA: TSecurityAttributes;
SI: TStartupInfo;
PI: TProcessInformation;
hRead, hWrite: THandle;
Buffer: array[0..1023] of AnsiChar;
BytesRead: DWord;
Cmd: string;
FullOutput: AnsiString;
begin
Output := TStringList.Create;
Result := -1;
FullOutput := '';
SA.nLength := SizeOf(TSecurityAttributes);
SA.bInheritHandle := True;
SA.lpSecurityDescriptor := nil;
if not CreatePipe(hRead, hWrite, @SA, 0) then
Exit;
try
FillChar(SI, SizeOf(TStartupInfo), 0);
SI.cb := SizeOf(TStartupInfo);
SI.dwFlags := STARTF_USESTDHANDLES or STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW;
SI.hStdInput := GetStdHandle(STD_INPUT_HANDLE);
SI.hStdOutput := hWrite;
SI.hStdError := hWrite;
SI.wShowWindow := SW_HIDE;
Cmd := 'cmd.exe /C ' + Command;
if not CreateProcess(nil, PChar(Cmd), nil, nil, True, 0, nil, nil, SI, PI) then
begin
Exit;
end;
CloseHandle(hWrite);
try
while True do
begin
if not ReadFile(hRead, Buffer, SizeOf(Buffer) - 1, BytesRead, nil) or (BytesRead = 0) then
break;
Buffer[BytesRead] := #0;
FullOutput := FullOutput + AnsiString(Buffer);
end;
WaitForSingleObject(PI.hProcess, INFINITE);
GetExitCodeProcess(PI.hProcess, Cardinal(Result));
finally
CloseHandle(PI.hProcess);
CloseHandle(PI.hThread);
end;
finally
CloseHandle(hRead);
end;
Output.Text := string(FullOutput);
end;
function BranchExists(const ParaBranchName: string): boolean;
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
Result := False;
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/heads/' + ParaBranchName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := True;
end
else
begin
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/remotes/origin/' + ParaBranchName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := True;
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
function GetBranchHash(const ParaBranchName: string): string;
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
Result := '';
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git rev-parse "refs/remotes/origin/' + ParaBranchName + '^{commit}"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := Trim(vOutput.Text);
end
else
begin
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git rev-parse "refs/heads/' + ParaBranchName + '^{commit}"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := Trim(vOutput.Text);
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
procedure DeleteTagIfExists(const ParaTagName: string);
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/tags/' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Writeln('Removing existing tag: ' + ParaTagName + '...');
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git push origin --delete "' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Warning: Failed to delete tag ' + ParaTagName + '.');
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
var
vBranchName, vMergedTag, vBranchHash: string;
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
try
// --- Input Validation ---
if ParamCount <> 1 then
begin
Writeln('Usage: git-set-merged <branchname>');
Writeln('Example: git-set-merged SkybuckContribution001-MyFeature');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vBranchName := ParamStr(1);
vMergedTag := 'merged/' + vBranchName;
// --- Verify Branch Exists ---
if not BranchExists(vBranchName) then
begin
Writeln('Error: Branch ''' + vBranchName + ''' does not exist locally or remotely.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
// --- Get Latest Commit Hash ---
vBranchHash := GetBranchHash(vBranchName);
if vBranchHash = '' then
begin
Writeln('Error: Unable to determine commit hash for branch ''' + vBranchName + '''.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
// --- Remove active/rejected tags ---
DeleteTagIfExists('active/' + vBranchName);
DeleteTagIfExists('rejected/' + vBranchName);
// --- Create and Push Merged Tag ---
Writeln('Creating and pushing tag: ' + vMergedTag);
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git tag -f "' + vMergedTag + '" "' + vBranchHash + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Failed to create tag ' + vMergedTag + '.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git push -f origin "' + vMergedTag + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Failed to push tag ' + vMergedTag + ' to origin.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
Writeln('');
Writeln('Branch ' + vBranchName + ' successfully marked as MERGED.');
Writeln('It remains in your repository history.');
except
on E: Exception do
begin
Writeln(E.ClassName, ': ', E.Message);
ExitCode := 1;
end;
end;
end.
program git_set_rejected;
{$APPTYPE CONSOLE}
uses
System.SysUtils,
System.Classes,
System.IOUtils,
Winapi.Windows;
function ExecuteCommand(const Command: string; out Output: TStringList): Integer;
var
SA: TSecurityAttributes;
SI: TStartupInfo;
PI: TProcessInformation;
hRead, hWrite: THandle;
Buffer: array[0..1023] of AnsiChar;
BytesRead: DWord;
Cmd: string;
FullOutput: AnsiString;
begin
Output := TStringList.Create;
Result := -1;
FullOutput := '';
SA.nLength := SizeOf(TSecurityAttributes);
SA.bInheritHandle := True;
SA.lpSecurityDescriptor := nil;
if not CreatePipe(hRead, hWrite, @SA, 0) then
Exit;
try
FillChar(SI, SizeOf(TStartupInfo), 0);
SI.cb := SizeOf(TStartupInfo);
SI.dwFlags := STARTF_USESTDHANDLES or STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW;
SI.hStdInput := GetStdHandle(STD_INPUT_HANDLE);
SI.hStdOutput := hWrite;
SI.hStdError := hWrite;
SI.wShowWindow := SW_HIDE;
Cmd := 'cmd.exe /C ' + Command;
if not CreateProcess(nil, PChar(Cmd), nil, nil, True, 0, nil, nil, SI, PI) then
begin
Exit;
end;
CloseHandle(hWrite);
try
while True do
begin
if not ReadFile(hRead, Buffer, SizeOf(Buffer) - 1, BytesRead, nil) or (BytesRead = 0) then
break;
Buffer[BytesRead] := #0;
FullOutput := FullOutput + AnsiString(Buffer);
end;
WaitForSingleObject(PI.hProcess, INFINITE);
GetExitCodeProcess(PI.hProcess, Cardinal(Result));
finally
CloseHandle(PI.hProcess);
CloseHandle(PI.hThread);
end;
finally
CloseHandle(hRead);
end;
Output.Text := string(FullOutput);
end;
function BranchExists(const ParaBranchName: string): boolean;
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
Result := False;
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/heads/' + ParaBranchName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := True;
end
else
begin
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/remotes/origin/' + ParaBranchName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := True;
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
function GetBranchHash(const ParaBranchName: string): string;
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
Result := '';
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git rev-parse "refs/remotes/origin/' + ParaBranchName + '^{commit}"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := Trim(vOutput.Text);
end
else
begin
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git rev-parse "refs/heads/' + ParaBranchName + '^{commit}"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := Trim(vOutput.Text);
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
procedure DeleteTagIfExists(const ParaTagName: string);
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/tags/' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Writeln('Removing remote tag: ' + ParaTagName + '...');
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git push origin --delete "' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Warning: Could not delete tag ' + ParaTagName + '.');
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
var
vBranchName, vRejectedTag, vBranchHash: string;
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
try
// --- Input Validation ---
if ParamCount <> 1 then
begin
Writeln('Usage: git-set-rejected <branchname>');
Writeln('Example: git-set-rejected AI0001Contribution002-ExperimentalAlgorithm');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vBranchName := ParamStr(1);
vRejectedTag := 'rejected/' + vBranchName;
// --- Branch Existence Check ---
if not BranchExists(vBranchName) then
begin
Writeln('Error: Branch ''' + vBranchName + ''' does not exist locally or remotely.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
// --- Commit Hash Resolution ---
vBranchHash := GetBranchHash(vBranchName);
if vBranchHash = '' then
begin
Writeln('Error: Could not determine commit hash for branch ''' + vBranchName + '''.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
// --- Remove active/merged tags ---
DeleteTagIfExists('active/' + vBranchName);
DeleteTagIfExists('merged/' + vBranchName);
// --- Create and Push Rejected Tag ---
Writeln('Creating and pushing rejected tag: ' + vRejectedTag);
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git tag -f "' + vRejectedTag + '" "' + vBranchHash + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Could not create tag ''' + vRejectedTag + '''');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git push -f origin "' + vRejectedTag + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Could not push tag ''' + vRejectedTag + ''' to origin');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
Writeln('');
Writeln('Branch ' + vBranchName + ' marked as REJECTED.');
Writeln('Tag ''' + vRejectedTag + ''' added for reference.');
except
on E: Exception do
begin
Writeln(E.ClassName, ': ', E.Message);
ExitCode := 1;
end;
end;
end.
program git_set_revive;
{$APPTYPE CONSOLE}
uses
System.SysUtils,
System.Classes,
System.IOUtils,
Winapi.Windows;
function ExecuteCommand(const Command: string; out Output: TStringList): Integer;
var
SA: TSecurityAttributes;
SI: TStartupInfo;
PI: TProcessInformation;
hRead, hWrite: THandle;
Buffer: array[0..1023] of AnsiChar;
BytesRead: DWord;
Cmd: string;
FullOutput: AnsiString;
begin
Output := TStringList.Create;
Result := -1;
FullOutput := '';
SA.nLength := SizeOf(TSecurityAttributes);
SA.bInheritHandle := True;
SA.lpSecurityDescriptor := nil;
if not CreatePipe(hRead, hWrite, @SA, 0) then
Exit;
try
FillChar(SI, SizeOf(TStartupInfo), 0);
SI.cb := SizeOf(TStartupInfo);
SI.dwFlags := STARTF_USESTDHANDLES or STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW;
SI.hStdInput := GetStdHandle(STD_INPUT_HANDLE);
SI.hStdOutput := hWrite;
SI.hStdError := hWrite;
SI.wShowWindow := SW_HIDE;
Cmd := 'cmd.exe /C ' + Command;
if not CreateProcess(nil, PChar(Cmd), nil, nil, True, 0, nil, nil, SI, PI) then
begin
Exit;
end;
CloseHandle(hWrite);
try
while True do
begin
if not ReadFile(hRead, Buffer, SizeOf(Buffer) - 1, BytesRead, nil) or (BytesRead = 0) then
break;
Buffer[BytesRead] := #0;
FullOutput := FullOutput + AnsiString(Buffer);
end;
WaitForSingleObject(PI.hProcess, INFINITE);
GetExitCodeProcess(PI.hProcess, Cardinal(Result));
finally
CloseHandle(PI.hProcess);
CloseHandle(PI.hThread);
end;
finally
CloseHandle(hRead);
end;
Output.Text := string(FullOutput);
end;
function BranchExists(const ParaBranchName: string): boolean;
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
Result := False;
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/heads/' + ParaBranchName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := True;
end
else
begin
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/remotes/origin/' + ParaBranchName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := True;
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
function HasTag(const ParaTagName: string): boolean;
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
Result := False;
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git ls-remote --tags origin "' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := vOutput.Text <> '';
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
procedure DeleteTagIfExists(const ParaTagName: string);
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
// Check remote tags first
if ExecuteCommand('git ls-remote --tags origin "' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
if vOutput.Text <> '' then
begin
Writeln('Removing remote tag: ' + ParaTagName + '...');
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git push origin --delete "' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Warning: Could not delete remote tag ' + ParaTagName + '.');
end;
end;
end;
// Check local tags
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/tags/' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Writeln('Removing local tag: ' + ParaTagName + '...');
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git tag -d "' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Warning: Could not delete local tag ' + ParaTagName + '.');
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
var
vBranchName: string;
vHasTag: boolean;
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
try
// --- Input Validation ---
if ParamCount <> 1 then
begin
Writeln('Usage: git-set-revive <branchname>');
Writeln('Example: git-set-revive SkybuckContribution005-BugfixRethink');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vBranchName := ParamStr(1);
// --- Check Branch Existence ---
if not BranchExists(vBranchName) then
begin
Writeln('Error: Branch ''' + vBranchName + ''' not found locally or remotely.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
// --- Check if it has merged or rejected tag remotely ---
vHasTag := HasTag('merged/' + vBranchName) or HasTag('rejected/' + vBranchName);
if not vHasTag then
begin
Writeln('Error: Branch ''' + vBranchName + ''' is not marked as merged or rejected.');
Writeln('If it''s active, run: git-set-active ' + vBranchName);
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
Writeln('Attempting to revive branch ''' + vBranchName + '''...');
// --- Delete old tags ---
DeleteTagIfExists('merged/' + vBranchName);
DeleteTagIfExists('rejected/' + vBranchName);
// --- Mark as active by calling git-set-active ---
Writeln('---');
Writeln('Calling git-set-active to apply active tag...');
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('cmd.exe /c "' + ExtractFilePath(ParamStr(0)) + 'git-set-active.exe" ' + vBranchName, vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln(vOutput.Text);
Writeln('Error: git-set-active failed. Try running manually: git-set-active ' + vBranchName);
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
Writeln(vOutput.Text);
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
Writeln('');
Writeln('Branch ' + vBranchName + ' successfully REVIVED and marked as ACTIVE.');
Writeln('This does not rebase history onto master.');
Writeln('To switch to it: git checkout ' + vBranchName);
except
on E: Exception do
begin
Writeln(E.ClassName, ': ', E.Message);
ExitCode := 1;
end;
end;
end.
program git_the_future;
{$APPTYPE CONSOLE}
uses
System.SysUtils,
System.Classes,
System.IOUtils,
Winapi.Windows;
function ExecuteCommand(const Command: string; out Output: TStringList; PassThrough: Boolean = False): Integer;
var
SA: TSecurityAttributes;
SI: TStartupInfo;
PI: TProcessInformation;
hRead, hWrite: THandle;
Buffer: array[0..1023] of AnsiChar;
BytesRead: DWord;
Cmd: string;
FullOutput: AnsiString;
StdOut, StdErr: THandle;
begin
Output := TStringList.Create;
Result := -1;
FullOutput := '';
SA.nLength := SizeOf(TSecurityAttributes);
SA.bInheritHandle := True;
SA.lpSecurityDescriptor := nil;
if not CreatePipe(hRead, hWrite, @SA, 0) then
Exit;
try
FillChar(SI, SizeOf(TStartupInfo), 0);
SI.cb := SizeOf(TStartupInfo);
if PassThrough then
begin
StdOut := GetStdHandle(STD_OUTPUT_HANDLE);
StdErr := GetStdHandle(STD_ERROR_HANDLE);
SI.dwFlags := STARTF_USESTDHANDLES;
SI.hStdInput := GetStdHandle(STD_INPUT_HANDLE);
SI.hStdOutput := StdOut;
SI.hStdError := StdErr;
end
else
begin
SI.dwFlags := STARTF_USESTDHANDLES or STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW;
SI.hStdInput := GetStdHandle(STD_INPUT_HANDLE);
SI.hStdOutput := hWrite;
SI.hStdError := hWrite;
SI.wShowWindow := SW_HIDE;
end;
Cmd := 'cmd.exe /C ' + Command;
if not CreateProcess(nil, PChar(Cmd), nil, nil, True, 0, nil, nil, SI, PI) then
begin
Exit;
end;
if not PassThrough then
CloseHandle(hWrite);
try
if not PassThrough then
begin
while True do
begin
if not ReadFile(hRead, Buffer, SizeOf(Buffer) - 1, BytesRead, nil) or (BytesRead = 0) then
break;
Buffer[BytesRead] := #0;
FullOutput := FullOutput + AnsiString(Buffer);
end;
end;
WaitForSingleObject(PI.hProcess, INFINITE);
GetExitCodeProcess(PI.hProcess, Cardinal(Result));
finally
CloseHandle(PI.hProcess);
CloseHandle(PI.hThread);
end;
finally
if not PassThrough then
CloseHandle(hRead);
end;
Output.Text := string(FullOutput);
end;
function GetCurrentBranch: string;
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
Result := '';
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := Trim(vOutput.Text);
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
var
vCurrentBranch: string;
vRebaseStatus: Integer;
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
try
// --- Determine current branch ---
vCurrentBranch := GetCurrentBranch;
if (vCurrentBranch = '') or (vCurrentBranch = 'HEAD') then
begin
Writeln('Error: You are not on a branch (detached HEAD). Checkout a branch first.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
if vCurrentBranch.ToLower = 'master' then
begin
Writeln('Error: You''re on ''master''. This command is meant for feature branches.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
Writeln('Preparing to rebase branch ''' + vCurrentBranch + ''' onto latest ''master''...');
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
// --- Update local master ---
Writeln('Updating ''master''...');
if ExecuteCommand('git checkout master', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Could not checkout master.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git pull origin master', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Could not pull from origin master.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
// --- Return to original branch ---
if ExecuteCommand('git checkout "' + vCurrentBranch + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Could not checkout back to ''' + vCurrentBranch + '''.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
// --- Begin rebase ---
Writeln('');
Writeln('Starting rebase of ''' + vCurrentBranch + ''' onto ''master''...');
Writeln('----------------------------------------');
vRebaseStatus := ExecuteCommand('git rebase master', vOutput, True);
if vRebaseStatus = 0 then
begin
Writeln('----------------------------------------');
Writeln('Rebase completed successfully!');
Writeln('Your branch ''' + vCurrentBranch + ''' is now on top of master.');
Writeln('To update remote:');
Writeln(' git push --force-with-lease origin ' + vCurrentBranch);
end
else if vRebaseStatus = 1 then
begin
Writeln('----------------------------------------');
Writeln('Rebase paused due to conflicts.');
Writeln('Resolve conflicts manually, then run:');
Writeln(' git add .');
Writeln(' git rebase --continue');
Writeln('Or to abort:');
Writeln(' git rebase --abort');
ExitCode := 1;
end
else
begin
Writeln('----------------------------------------');
Writeln('Rebase failed with unexpected exit code: ' + IntToStr(vRebaseStatus));
ExitCode := 1;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
except
on E: Exception do
begin
Writeln(E.ClassName, ': ', E.Message);
ExitCode := 1;
end;
end;
end.
Bye for now,
Skybuck Flying
skybuck2000@hotmail.com
^ permalink raw reply [flat|nested] 14+ messages in thread
* SuperLaserC from LaserA and LaserB, continue LaserA/B fresh from SuperLaserC was Re: [RFC] Proposed Git Workflow for Permanent History, Explicit Branch Status, and Developer Continuity
2025-07-27 3:04 ` Skybuck Flying
@ 2025-07-27 23:55 ` Skybuck Flying
2025-08-29 19:42 ` Was "Re: [RFC] Proposed Git Workflow for Permanent History, Explicit Branch Status, and Developer Continuity" now "Skybuck's GitFlow" Skybuck Flying
1 sibling, 0 replies; 14+ messages in thread
From: Skybuck Flying @ 2025-07-27 23:55 UTC (permalink / raw)
To: git@vger.kernel.org
LaserA+LaserB -> SuperLaserC -> NewDifferentLaserA ->maybe another MegaSuperLaserC LOL.
-> NewDifferentLaserB
^ short version.
Some little bits of text was lost because Windows 11 Outlook cannot handle this super simple e-mail:
Good luck with your mail client ! ;)
Short conclusion by AI: Skybuck's Git Workflow verified by Gemini Flash 2.5, deemed worthy of laser development/high-tech engineering ;)
Let's discuss the invention of the laser and how to create a super laser and where git may fall short"
LaserA invented in Country A
LaserB invented in Country B
Both inventors come together and want to produce SuperLaserC...
70% is initially/processed taken from LaserA
80% is initially/processed taken from LaserB
leading to new SuperLaserC...
Later the remaining 30% of LaserA and 20% of LaserB is examined and some of it integrated into refined SuperLaserC
Does git fall short in this flow ?
Let's break down your scenario regarding laser invention, SuperLaserC creation, and how Git fits in.
The Invention of the Laser
First, a quick clarification on the historical invention of the laser:
LaserA (Country A): This likely refers to Townes and Schawlow in the United States, who published theoretical work on the optical maser (later laser) in 1958 and received the first patent.
LaserB (Country B): This could refer to Basov and Prokhorov in the Soviet Union, who independently developed similar theoretical concepts around the same time and were also awarded the Nobel Prize alongside Townes.
The first working laser was built by Theodore Maiman in the United States in 1960.
So, while multiple individuals and groups contributed significantly, the "invention" is often attributed to a few key figures across different institutions and countries.
Creating SuperLaserC and Refined SuperLaserC: A Metaphor for Collaboration
Your scenario is a fascinating metaphor for collaborative development, especially in scientific or engineering projects.
LaserA and LaserB: These represent two distinct, independently developed technologies, codebases, or intellectual properties.
70% from LaserA, 80% from LaserB: This signifies taking significant, but not complete, components, ideas, or intellectual property from each existing laser to form the foundation of SuperLaserC. This could involve:
Core design principles: e.g., resonator cavity design, gain medium selection.
Fabrication techniques: specific methods for material processing.
Control systems: software or hardware for managing laser output.
Theoretical models: mathematical frameworks.
SuperLaserC: The initial combined product, integrating the most promising aspects of each.
Remaining 30% of LaserA and 20% of LaserB: This represents the "leftover" or initially discarded aspects of the original technologies.
Examined and integrated into refined SuperLaserC: This signifies a later phase of optimization, where previously overlooked or less critical elements from the original designs are re-evaluated and selectively incorporated to improve the SuperLaserC. This is common in iterative development, where initial focus is on core functionality, and later phases involve fine-tuning and adding advanced features.
Does Git Fall Short in This Flow?
In short, no, Git does not inherently "fall short" in this type of collaborative flow. In fact, Git is exceptionally well-suited for managing the complexity described. Let's explore why and how it would handle your scenario:
Here's how Git maps to your laser development scenario:
Independent Invention (LaserA and LaserB):
Git: LaserA and LaserB would likely start as two separate Git repositories. Each would have its own complete history, branches, and commits representing its development.
Initial SuperLaserC Creation (70% from A, 80% from B):
Git: This is where collaboration begins.
You'd create a new, empty Git repository for SuperLaserC.
Then, you would selectively "import" or "integrate" the relevant parts from LaserA and LaserB. This isn't a simple "copy-paste" of files if you want to preserve history.
Strategies in Git:
git subtree or git submodule: If LaserA and LaserB are genuinely distinct components that can be used somewhat independently, you could add them as subtrees or submodules into the SuperLaserC repository. This allows you to track their independent development while integrating them.
Manual Merging/Cherry-picking: More likely for intellectual property or design elements, you'd:
Clone LaserA and LaserB.
Copy the relevant 70% of files/code from LaserA into the SuperLaserC repo. Commit this as "Initial import of 70% from LaserA."
Copy the relevant 80% of files/code from LaserB into the SuperLaserC repo. Commit this as "Initial import of 80% from LaserB."
Then, merge or resolve any conflicts that arise from combining these parts.
Squashing Commits: You might choose to squash the imported history from A and B into a few large commits in SuperLaserC to keep the history clean.
Refined SuperLaserC (Integrating remaining 30% of A, 20% of B):
Git: This is a straightforward iterative development process:
Branches: You would likely create feature branches in the SuperLaserC repository (e.g., feature/integrate-laserA-remaining, feature/integrate-laserB-remaining).
Development: On these branches, you would work on incorporating the "remaining" parts. This might involve:
Revisiting LaserA/LaserB repositories: Looking at their older commits or files.
Cherry-picking: Selectively taking specific commits (which represent the integration of the 30% or 20%) from the LaserA/LaserB history and applying them to the SuperLaserC branch.
New development: Writing new code or designs inspired by the remaining parts.
Merging: Once a feature branch is complete, it's merged back into the main SuperLaserC branch (e.g., main or develop).
Why Git Excels Here:
Detailed History: Git tracks every change, who made it, and when. This is crucial for understanding why certain decisions were made and what was included from LaserA or LaserB at any given point.
Branching and Merging: The ability to create independent branches for integrating different components or for exploring new ideas (the "remaining 30/20%") is fundamental. Git's powerful merging algorithms help integrate these changes efficiently.
Non-linear Development: Your scenario is inherently non-linear. Git thrives in environments where development paths diverge and converge.
Attribution: Git automatically tracks the author of each commit, providing clear attribution for contributions from both "inventors."
Rollback and Auditing: If a component from the 30% of LaserA causes an issue, Git makes it easy to revert that specific change or examine its history. You can audit exactly what went into each version of SuperLaserC.
Collaboration: Git is built for distributed collaboration, allowing teams to work on different aspects simultaneously.
Where Perceived "Shortcomings" Might Arise (but are not Git's fault):
Intellectual Property Boundaries: Git tracks files and content. It doesn't inherently track or enforce legal intellectual property agreements. The "70% from A, 80% from B" is a conceptual division that needs to be managed outside of Git (e.g., legal agreements, clear documentation of what constitutes each percentage).
Initial Integration Complexity: The very first integration step (combining 70% and 80%) can be complex if it involves disparate file structures, naming conventions, or conflicting design philosophies. Git helps manage these conflicts but doesn't prevent them. This is a design/architecture challenge, not a Git limitation.
Large Binary Files: If the "lasers" involve massive binary design files (CAD, simulation outputs, large datasets), standard Git can struggle with repository size. However, Git LFS (Large File Storage) is designed to mitigate this.
Semantic Merging: Git merges text lines. If the "70%" and "80%" refer to conceptual design elements that are highly intertwined and not easily represented as distinct code files (e.g., a specific optical coating property that impacts both systems), the human effort to reconcile these remains significant, even with Git. Git helps manage the versioning of the documentation or code describing these, but the semantic understanding is still on the developers.
Historical Lineage of Conceptual Ideas: While Git perfectly tracks the lineage of files, tracing the exact historical flow of a conceptual idea (e.g., "the concept of coherent beam combining") through commits that involve code from two different original sources might require careful commit messages and external documentation. Git will show you when a piece of code was added, but the idea behind it might have a more complex lineage.
Conclusion
Git is an incredibly powerful tool for managing the evolution of a project like SuperLaserC. It provides the necessary infrastructure for:
Version control of all design files, code, and documentation.
Tracking contributions from multiple sources.
Allowing for parallel development and later integration.
Providing a robust history for auditing and rollback.
The "shortcomings" you might encounter are typically related to:
The inherent complexity of merging disparate systems.
The need for clear human communication and design decisions.
Legal or intellectual property considerations that exist outside of the version control system itself.
In essence, Git is an excellent tool for managing the technical implementation of your laser development, but it doesn't solve the conceptual integration or legal aspects by itself.
What about unrelated histories ?
You've hit on a crucial point that Git handles, but with a specific mechanism: unrelated histories.
In the context of your LaserA and LaserB scenario:
LaserA's repository (e.g., repo-laserA) has its own complete commit history. This history represents all the development, changes, and versions of LaserA.
LaserB's repository (e.g., repo-laserB) has its own, entirely independent commit history. There's no common ancestor commit between repo-laserA and repo-laserB because they were developed in isolation.
If you were to simply try git merge or git pull from one into the other without any special flags, Git would refuse:
fatal: refusing to merge unrelated histories
Why Git refuses by default:
This is a safety mechanism introduced in Git 2.9 (and later versions). Before this, Git would perform the merge, potentially creating a messy or nonsensical history if you accidentally merged two truly independent projects (e.g., your personal photo collection repo with your work codebase). The error forces you to acknowledge that you are indeed trying to combine two separate lines of development.
How to handle unrelated histories in Git:
To combine two repositories with unrelated histories, you use the --allow-unrelated-histories flag with the git merge command.
Here's a common workflow for your SuperLaserC scenario, assuming you want to bring the histories of LaserA and LaserB into a new repository for SuperLaserC:
Initialize the SuperLaserC repository:
Bash
mkdir super-laser-c
cd super-laser-c
git init
(You might make an initial empty commit here, or just start importing)
Add LaserA as a remote:
Bash
git remote add laserA /path/to/repo-laserA # Or the URL if it's remote
Fetch LaserA's history:
Bash
git fetch laserA
This brings all the branches and commits from repo-laserA into your super-laser-c repo, but they're not yet part of your active branch.
Merge LaserA's history into SuperLaserC (allowing unrelated histories):
Bash
git merge laserA/main --allow-unrelated-histories # Replace 'main' with the relevant branch name from LaserA
This command takes the entire history of laserA/main (or whatever branch you specify) and integrates it into your current super-laser-c branch.
Since there's no common ancestor, Git uses --allow-unrelated-histories to create a merge commit that effectively connects these two previously separate histories.
At this point, you'd likely copy or integrate the "70%" of files from LaserA's history into the main structure of SuperLaserC, then commit those changes.
Repeat for LaserB:
Bash
git remote add laserB /path/to/repo-laserB # Or the URL
git fetch laserB
git merge laserB/main --allow-unrelated-histories # Replace 'main' with the relevant branch name from LaserB
Again, this brings in LaserB's full history, and you'd then integrate the "80%" of its relevant files. You'll likely encounter merge conflicts, which is normal and Git's job to help you resolve.
Visualizing the History:
After these steps, if you look at your Git history (git log --graph --all), you'll see a graph that starts with two (or more) independent "roots" (the initial commits of LaserA and LaserB), and then lines converge from those roots into a common merge commit(s) where SuperLaserC began.
Why this doesn't mean Git "falls short":
Git's refusal to merge unrelated histories by default is a feature, not a bug. It prevents accidental data corruption or creation of unintuitive histories. The --allow-unrelated-histories flag is the explicit "escape hatch" that allows you to tell Git: "Yes, I know these are separate projects, and I intend to combine their histories."
The real "shortcoming" (if you can even call it that) isn't in Git, but in the human effort required to:
Strategize the merge: Deciding how to combine the 70% and 80% (which files go where, how to resolve architectural differences).
Resolve conflicts: When files from LaserA and LaserB have the same name but different content, or conflicting changes, Git will mark them as conflicts that you, the human, must resolve. This is the "hard work" of the collaboration.
Maintain clarity: Ensuring commit messages and documentation clearly explain why these histories were merged and which parts came from where.
So, Git provides the tools to manage unrelated histories effectively, but the intelligence and decision-making for combining complex projects still reside with the collaborating inventors.
What if LaserD is added ?
Adding a LaserD to the SuperLaserC project simply means repeating the same, robust Git processes we've already discussed. Git is designed to handle this kind of multi-source integration seamlessly.
Here's how it would play out, building on our previous steps:
Scenario: Adding LaserD to SuperLaserC
Assume SuperLaserC already has LaserA and LaserB integrated (either partially or fully), and now a fourth team/individual (from Country D) has developed LaserD and wants to contribute.
LaserD's Independent History:
Like LaserA and LaserB, LaserD (repo-laserD) will have its own independent Git history, developed in isolation.
Integrating LaserD into SuperLaserC:
You would follow the same pattern:
From your super-laser-c repository:
Bash
cd super-laser-c
Add LaserD as a new remote:
Bash
git remote add laserD /path/to/repo-laserD # Or the URL if it's remote (e.g., https://github.com/countryD/LaserD.git)
Fetch LaserD's history:
Bash
git fetch laserD
This brings all of LaserD's branches and commits into your local super-laser-c repository, but they are still under remotes/laserD/ and haven't touched your working files or active branches.
Merge LaserD's history (with --allow-unrelated-histories):
Bash
git merge laserD/main --allow-unrelated-histories # Assuming 'main' is the primary branch in LaserD
Git will once again recognize that laserD/main has no common ancestor with the current super-laser-c history (which already contains LaserA and LaserB's merged histories).
The --allow-unrelated-histories flag is crucial here to permit the merge.
Git will create a new merge commit in your super-laser-c history that links the previously independent LaserD history to the main SuperLaserC development line.
Conflict Resolution: Just like with LaserA and LaserB, you'll need to resolve any merge conflicts that arise. This is where the human expertise comes in:
What percentage of LaserD do you initially want (e.g., "75% of LaserD is initially processed")? You'd copy or selectively integrate those files/components.
How do these components interact with the existing LaserA/LaserB components in SuperLaserC?
Are there naming collisions? Different architectural patterns?
Refined SuperLaserC (Later integration of remaining LaserD parts):
Just as before, if there's a "remaining X%" of LaserD that gets integrated later, you'd use standard Git branching and merging:
Bash
git checkout -b feature/integrate-laserD-remaining
# ... work on integrating the additional parts of LaserD ...
git add .
git commit -m "Integrated remaining 25% of LaserD features into SuperLaserC"
git checkout main
git merge feature/integrate-laserD-remaining
git branch -d feature/integrate-laserD-remaining
Git's Strengths with Multiple Sources:
Scalability: Git's distributed nature means it can handle any number of independent source repositories. Each "laser" (A, B, D, etc.) can continue its own development, and SuperLaserC can pull in changes as needed.
Clear Lineage (Post-Merge): While the initial merge of unrelated histories creates a new "root" for that specific branch within the combined repository, all subsequent merges from that source will be regular merges with a common ancestor. This means you can still trace the exact commit history of every part of LaserD that went into SuperLaserC.
Flexibility in Integration: You're not forced to take 100% of any source. Git allows you to cherry-pick specific commits, copy specific files, or use more advanced strategies like git subtree if a "laser" is intended to be a true sub-component (like a library) within SuperLaserC.
Attribution and Auditability: Git ensures that every line of code can be traced back to its origin (which repository it was first introduced from) and the author, which is critical in collaborative, intellectual-property-heavy projects.
Potential Challenges (Human, not Git):
The challenges of adding LaserD are not Git limitations, but rather the increased complexity of the project itself:
Increased Integration Complexity: More sources mean potentially more architectural mismatches, naming conflicts, and functional overlaps that need to be carefully designed and reconciled.
Coordination Overhead: Managing contributions from three (or more) independent "inventors" requires robust communication, shared understanding of the SuperLaserC vision, and clear division of responsibilities.
Testing: Thoroughly testing the interactions between components from LaserA, LaserB, and LaserD becomes more complex.
Intellectual Property Management: The legal aspects of combining intellectual property from multiple entities become even more intricate with each added source.
In summary, adding LaserD to SuperLaserC doesn't break Git's capabilities. It simply adds another "remote" and another instance of merging unrelated (or later, related) histories. The core strength of Git – its ability to track every change and facilitate merging – remains highly effective in this more complex scenario.
Why the two different workflows ?
You're asking about why there are seemingly two different workflows for integrating code in Git, specifically:
The initial integration of LaserA/LaserB/LaserD into SuperLaserC (using --allow-unrelated-histories)
Later integrations of "remaining percentages" or ongoing development from LaserA/LaserB/LaserD (using standard git merge or git cherry-pick)
The reason for these two distinct workflows lies in the fundamental concept of Git's history and how it tracks relationships between commits.
Workflow 1: Initial Integration with --allow-unrelated-histories
This workflow is used only when the two histories you are trying to combine have absolutely no common ancestor commit.
Why it's needed:
Independent Creation: When LaserA, LaserB, and LaserD were "invented," they were started as entirely separate Git repositories (or were simply files not yet in any Git repo). They didn't share any initial commit; their first commits were unique to their own repository.
Git's Default Safety: Git's core strength is tracking changes from a common starting point. When you try to merge two branches that don't share a common history, Git, by default, sees this as a potentially accidental operation. It assumes that if two branches genuinely belong together, they should eventually share a common ancestor commit somewhere in their past.
Forcing a Link: --allow-unrelated-histories is the explicit instruction to Git that says, "Yes, I know these histories are completely separate, but I want you to create a new merge commit that acts as the first common ancestor between them, linking their otherwise independent pasts into a single, combined history from this point forward." This merge commit becomes the first shared point between the previously separate histories.
When you use it:
Typically, just once for each independent repository you're bringing into a larger, consolidated project where those repositories truly had separate origins.
It creates that initial "bridge" between the distinct histories.
Workflow 2: Later Integrations (Standard git merge or git cherry-pick)
This workflow is used after the initial bridge has been built, meaning the two histories now share a common ancestor commit.
Why it's used:
Common Ancestor Exists: Once you've performed the initial git merge --allow-unrelated-histories, the resulting merge commit is the common ancestor. From that point forward, any new commits made in LaserA (or LaserB, or LaserD) and any new commits in SuperLaserC now have a shared history path stemming from that initial merge.
Git's Efficiency: Git is incredibly efficient at identifying changes between a common ancestor and the tip of two branches. When you run git merge without the --allow-unrelated-histories flag, Git:
Finds the most recent common ancestor (the merge commit from the initial integration).
Compares the changes from that ancestor to the tip of your current branch.
Compares the changes from that ancestor to the tip of the branch you're merging in (e.g., laserA/main).
Combines these changes, identifying what's new or different in each branch since their last shared point.
No Redundant Flag: The --allow-unrelated-histories flag would be redundant and potentially confusing if used repeatedly. Once histories are related, they remain related.
When you use it:
Regular updates: When the LaserA team continues developing, and you want to pull their latest changes into SuperLaserC.
Integrating "remaining percentages": When you decide to add more components from LaserA, LaserB, or LaserD that weren't included in the initial "70%/80%" phase. These will be new commits on those respective Laser branches that you then merge into SuperLaserC.
Ongoing collaborative development: This is the standard daily/weekly workflow for teams working together on a single project, where all branches are derived from a common main branch.
Analogy: Building a Bridge
Think of Git histories as separate landmasses.
Initial Integration (--allow-unrelated-histories): You have two entirely separate islands (LaserA and LaserB). To connect them for the first time, you need to build a brand new bridge between them. That --allow-unrelated-histories flag is like saying, "I'm intentionally building this first connection point between these previously isolated landmasses."
Later Integrations (Standard git merge): Once the bridge is built, traffic (new changes/commits) can flow freely over it. You don't need to build a new bridge every time a car crosses. You just use the existing connection. When you git merge subsequent changes from LaserA into SuperLaserC, you're just sending more "traffic" over that already established "bridge."
The two workflows are not contradictory; they serve different purposes at different stages of integrating distinct projects. The first creates the connection, and the second utilizes that connection for ongoing updates.
No the empty vs non empty approach ?
You're absolutely right to pick up on that! My previous explanations touched on it but didn't explicitly separate the "empty vs. non-empty" repository initial approach.
Let's clarify the two main approaches when starting the SuperLaserC repository, and how they relate to the --allow-unrelated-histories flag:
Approach 1: Starting with an Empty SuperLaserC Repository (The "Empty Shell" Method)
This is the workflow I detailed first, and it's often the cleanest for consolidating disparate projects.
Create an empty SuperLaserC directory and initialize Git:
Bash
mkdir super-laser-c
cd super-laser-c
git init
# (Optional: make an initial empty commit to establish a 'main' branch root)
# git commit --allow-empty -m "Initial empty commit for SuperLaserC"
Why it's "empty": At this point, the super-laser-c repository is just a .git folder. It has no files and potentially no commits yet (unless you made an explicit empty commit).
Add LaserA as a remote and merge:
Bash
git remote add laserA /path/to/repo-laserA
git fetch laserA
git merge laserA/main --allow-unrelated-histories # This brings LaserA's history into SuperLaserC
Crucial point: Even if super-laser-c was truly empty (no initial commit), Git still considers its "history" to be separate from laserA/main. The --allow-unrelated-histories flag is necessary here because there's no shared starting point.
After this, SuperLaserC contains all of LaserA's files and its full history, now combined into the SuperLaserC repo's history.
Integrate the 70% from LaserA:
Now you'd selectively remove the 30% of files/code from LaserA that you don't want for the initial SuperLaserC.
Commit this change: git commit -m "Integrated 70% of LaserA components into SuperLaserC"
Add LaserB as a remote and merge:
Bash
git remote add laserB /path/to/repo-laserB
git fetch laserB
git merge laserB/main --allow-unrelated-histories # This brings LaserB's history into SuperLaserC
Again, --allow-unrelated-histories is needed here! Why? Because while SuperLaserC now has LaserA's history, LaserB's history is still completely unrelated to the combined LaserA/SuperLaserC history. You're merging a new, distinct root.
Conflicts: You will almost certainly face merge conflicts at this step, as LaserA and LaserB might have files with the same names or overlapping concepts. Resolving these conflicts is where the "80%" selection happens.
Integrate the 80% from LaserB:
Once conflicts are resolved and the merge commit is made, you'd selectively remove the 20% of files/code from LaserB you don't want.
Commit this: git commit -m "Integrated 80% of LaserB components into SuperLaserC, resolved conflicts with LaserA"
Advantages of the "Empty Shell" approach:
Clean History: You start with a blank slate, and the initial merges clearly show the points where other projects were introduced.
Centralized Control: SuperLaserC becomes the authoritative repository, pulling in what it needs.
Approach 2: Starting by Cloning/Copying an Existing Laser Repository (The "Fork/Derivation" Method)
This approach is more akin to taking one of the lasers as the base for SuperLaserC, and then integrating the others.
Clone LaserA to create SuperLaserC:
Bash
git clone /path/to/repo-laserA super-laser-c
cd super-laser-c
Why it's "non-empty": super-laser-c now has all of LaserA's files and its entire history. Its history is now directly related to LaserA's.
Integrate the 70% from LaserA:
You'd start by removing the 30% of LaserA's files/code you don't want in SuperLaserC.
Commit this: git commit -m "Derived SuperLaserC from LaserA, retaining 70% of its components"
Add LaserB as a remote and merge:
Bash
git remote add laserB /path/to/repo-laserB
git fetch laserB
git merge laserB/main --allow-unrelated-histories # Still needed for LaserB!
Crucial point: Even though super-laser-c is full of LaserA's history, LaserB's history is still completely unrelated to the LaserA history that super-laser-c now contains. So, --allow-unrelated-histories is still necessary when bringing in LaserB for the first time.
Integrate the 80% from LaserB:
Resolve conflicts, remove unwanted 20%, commit.
Advantages of the "Fork/Derivation" approach:
Faster Initial Setup (if one laser is truly dominant): If SuperLaserC is genuinely just "LaserA + some bits of B and D," this can be quicker to set up initially.
Direct History Link: SuperLaserC's history starts exactly as LaserA's, making it easy to see its derivation.
Why the --allow-unrelated-histories is still needed for subsequent first integrations:
The key concept is that git merge --allow-unrelated-histories is about connecting a previously independent historical root to the current history.
In Approach 1: When you bring LaserA in, it's unrelated to the empty or single-initial-commit SuperLaserC. When you bring LaserB in, it's unrelated to the LaserA-infused SuperLaserC.
In Approach 2: When you bring LaserB in, it's unrelated to the LaserA-derived SuperLaserC.
The --allow-unrelated-histories flag is about the first time you introduce a completely separate line of development into another line of development. Once that initial merge happens, those two specific lines of development become "related" because they share that new merge commit as a common ancestor. Any future pulls/merges from those already-integrated sources (LaserA, LaserB) into SuperLaserC will not need the flag, as they will now have a common ancestor.
So, the "empty vs. non-empty" initial approach primarily dictates:
How clean the very first few commits of SuperLaserC's history look.
Which source's history forms the earliest root of SuperLaserC.
But regardless of whether SuperLaserC starts empty or as a clone of one laser, each additional original laser (LaserB, LaserD, etc.) will require --allow-unrelated-histories for its very first integration into the SuperLaserC repository, because their histories are fundamentally distinct until that merge explicitly links them.
Let's suppose SuperLaserC is done by an adversary... does this change anything ?
Ah, this is where the discussion shifts from purely technical Git workflows to security and trust models, which are absolutely critical in software development, especially when intellectual property or critical infrastructure (like a "SuperLaser"!) is involved.
If SuperLaserC is being developed by an adversary, or if one of the contributing Laser components (A, B, or D) comes from an adversarial source, then everything changes in terms of your risk assessment and mitigation strategies. Git, while excellent for tracking changes, doesn't inherently protect against malicious intent.
Here's how the "adversary" factor changes things, and where Git falls short (or rather, where you need processes around Git):
How an Adversary Changes the Game
Malicious Intent vs. Accidental Bugs:
Normally, you worry about developers introducing bugs by accident, through oversight, or lack of skill.
An adversary, however, introduces backdoors, vulnerabilities, intellectual property theft mechanisms, or performance degradation intentionally. These aren't "bugs" to them; they're features.
Trust Model Breakdown:
Collaborative development assumes a baseline of trust among contributors. You trust that others are working towards the common goal and aren't trying to sabotage the project.
With an adversary, this trust is broken. You can no longer assume good faith.
Intellectual Property (IP) Theft:
The adversary's goal might be to gain access to the complete designs of LaserA and LaserB (or their combined SuperLaserC) for their own use, to replicate it, or to sell it.
Git, by allowing them to merge histories and have a full copy of the repository, actually facilitates this if not managed carefully.
Where Git Falls Short (and what you need instead)
Git itself is a tool; it's morally neutral. It diligently records all changes, good or bad. It doesn't analyze the intent behind a commit or the security implications of code.
Here's where Git falls short, and what becomes paramount:
1. Code Review and Auditing (Enhanced & Adversary-Aware)
Git's role: Git provides the commit history, diffs, and attribution, which are essential for review.
Shortcoming: Git doesn't perform the review. It doesn't tell you if a line of code is a backdoor.
Adversary change: Code review becomes a critical security gate. It must be:
Rigorous: Every line of code from a potentially adversarial source (even if disguised) must be scrutinized.
Expert-driven: Requires security experts, reverse engineers, and domain specialists who understand laser technology and common attack patterns (e.g., subtle changes to optical alignment, timing, power regulation that could lead to instability or reduced performance, or data exfiltration via unusual logging).
Automated tools: Static Application Security Testing (SAST), Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST), and dependency scanners become even more vital to identify known vulnerabilities or suspicious patterns.
Supply Chain Security: If LaserA or LaserB contain third-party libraries or components, those too must be scrutinized, as an adversary might compromise a dependency further up the supply chain (e.g., the recent XZ Utils backdoor).
2. Trust Boundaries and Access Control
Git's role: Git platforms (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket) offer granular access controls (who can push to which branches, who can merge pull requests).
Shortcoming: If an adversary gains push access or is a trusted contributor, Git won't stop them.
Adversary change:
Strict Permissions: Only highly trusted individuals should have write access to critical branches (like main for SuperLaserC). All contributions from external or less-trusted sources must go through pull requests.
Multi-factor Authentication (MFA): Enforce MFA for all Git platform access.
Least Privilege: Grant only the minimum necessary permissions.
Isolated Environments: Development work for SuperLaserC might need to happen in highly isolated, monitored environments, especially when integrating adversarial components.
3. Threat Modeling (Paramount)
Git's role: No direct role.
Shortcoming: Git doesn't help you anticipate how an adversary might attack.
Adversary change: A formal threat model becomes indispensable. You need to:
Identify Assets: What is valuable in SuperLaserC (design, performance data, IP)?
Identify Adversaries: Who are they, what are their motivations (theft, sabotage, espionage), and capabilities?
Identify Attack Vectors: How could they introduce malicious code? (Via direct commits, malicious pull requests, compromised dependencies, social engineering developers?)
Identify Mitigations: What controls can you put in place (e.g., mandatory reviews, code signing, runtime integrity checks, hardware-level protections)?
4. Integrity and Authenticity (Beyond Basic Git)
Git's role: Cryptographic hashing (SHA-1/SHA-256) ensures content integrity within the Git repository. GPG signing of commits ensures who made a commit.
Shortcoming: If the adversary has compromised the developer's machine or signing key, or if they introduce code that subverts integrity at runtime (after it leaves Git), Git can't detect that.
Adversary change:
Code Signing (Mandatory): Enforce GPG signing of all commits and tags, and verify these signatures. This helps confirm that code actually came from the purported author and hasn't been tampered with in transit within Git.
Binary Attestation/Supply Chain Security: For the actual deployed SuperLaserC, you'd need measures beyond Git to ensure the built artifact (the physical laser, its firmware, its control software) hasn't been tampered with. This involves trusted build environments, software bill of materials (SBOMs), and potentially hardware-level attestation.
Runtime Monitoring: Implement monitoring to detect unusual behavior or performance degradation that might indicate a subtle sabotage.
5. Legal and Trust Frameworks
Git's role: No direct role.
Shortcoming: Git doesn't handle the legal or commercial agreements.
Adversary change:
Strong Contracts: Detailed contracts outlining IP ownership, licensing terms, and liability for defects/sabotage.
Due Diligence: Thorough background checks on adversarial contributors/organizations if collaboration is unavoidable.
Separation of Concerns: If an adversary is truly involved, you might need to isolate their contributions into a distinct, verifiable "black box" component with clearly defined interfaces, rather than deeply integrating their source code.
Conclusion
If SuperLaserC is being developed by an adversary, or integrates components from one, Git's core functionality remains the same, but your entire security posture and development processes must fundamentally change. Git becomes one piece of the puzzle, a crucial tool for transparency and traceability, but it must be surrounded by:
Extreme vigilance in code review and security analysis.
Rigid access control and trust management.
Comprehensive threat modeling.
Robust supply chain security measures.
Legal frameworks to manage the risks.
In this scenario, Git's transparency (showing every change) becomes a powerful asset for detection and forensics, but it does not provide prevention against a cunning and intentional adversary.
I mean from a technical integration perspective
Okay, let's strictly focus on the technical integration perspective when an adversary is involved, ignoring the crucial security and trust aspects for a moment (though in reality, you never would!).
From a pure Git mechanics standpoint, the "adversary" label does not change how Git itself behaves or what commands you use for integration.
Here's why:
Git is Content-Agnostic: Git doesn't care if the code represents a noble scientific breakthrough or a nefarious exploit. It only cares about the content of files (as text, mostly), their changes, and their history.
Git is Intent-Agnostic: Git doesn't understand the "intent" behind a commit. It doesn't know if a line of code was added to improve performance or to introduce a backdoor. It just records that the line was added by a specific author at a specific time.
Commands Remain the Same:
git remote add
git fetch
git merge --allow-unrelated-histories
git merge (for subsequent merges)
git cherry-pick
git rebase
git diff
git log
All these commands work exactly the same way, regardless of whether the content is "good" or "bad."
What changes technically, but outside of Git's core functionality:
While Git's commands remain the same, the process of using those commands and what you do after the Git operations would drastically change due to the adversarial nature.
Extreme Granularity of Integration:
Instead of just merging an entire branch (git merge laserB/main), you'd likely use more granular commands like git cherry-pick for specific commits, or even manually git diff commits and copy-paste only the absolutely necessary lines of code.
Reason: You'd want minimal "surface area" from the adversary. You wouldn't want to accidentally bring in their entire test suite or build scripts if they could contain malicious logic.
Increased Manual Review (Beyond Automation):
Every single line of code, every configuration file, every build script, and every piece of documentation from the adversary's contribution would undergo intense, manual human review by multiple trusted experts.
Reason: Automated tools are good for known vulnerabilities, but an adversary will craft novel attacks. You're looking for subtle changes, obfuscation, or seemingly innocuous code that activates under specific conditions.
Isolation and Sandboxing:
The act of merging/integrating would likely happen in an air-gapped, highly secure, and isolated environment (a "sandbox") that has no network access to your main infrastructure.
Reason: To prevent any malicious code from executing or phoning home during the integration process.
Forensic Analysis of Commits:
The git log and git blame commands would be used extensively, but with a forensic mindset. You wouldn't just be looking at what changed, but who changed it, and critically, why (from a security perspective).
You'd be looking for patterns, like commits from the adversary touching unexpected parts of the codebase, or changes that seem innocuous but could subtly alter critical functionality.
Strict IP Curation (Manual Selection):
The "70% from LaserA, 80% from LaserB" becomes an incredibly strict manual process. It's not just "take the files"; it's "examine every function, every circuit diagram, every material spec, and only copy over the absolutely essential, verified, and sanitized parts."
You might never merge their full history directly if you only want small, isolated components. You might just extract the necessary files, review them thoroughly, and then commit them as new files in your SuperLaserC repository, losing their original Git history but gaining a security benefit.
No Direct Pushes/Shared Remotes:
You would never allow an adversary to push directly to your SuperLaserC repository. Their code would always come in via pull requests or manual submission, which would then undergo the rigorous review process described above.
You might not even add their repository as a git remote if you truly distrust it. You might just git clone it separately, then copy files from there to your working directory, and commit them as new changes in SuperLaserC. This breaks the direct Git lineage for the sake of security.
In essence:
From a purely technical Git command perspective, nothing changes. The same commands exist and function identically.
However, the workflow and the human processes surrounding those Git commands would become exponentially more rigorous, slow, and security-focused when dealing with an adversary. You'd be using Git's features (like diffing and logging history) as part of an elaborate defensive strategy, rather than just as a convenient version control system. The "technical integration" becomes a deeply involved, manual, and forensic exercise, facilitated by Git's ability to show changes, but not automated or secured by Git itself against malicious code.
What is the difference between the empty vs non-empty approac
Let's clarify the "empty vs. non-empty" approach in the context of creating your SuperLaserC repository, and what their primary differences are from a Git and workflow perspective.
This distinction specifically refers to how you initialize or start the super-laser-c Git repository itself.
1. The "Empty" Approach (Starting with an Empty super-laser-c Repository)
How it works:
You create a brand new, empty directory for your SuperLaserC project.
You run git init inside this empty directory.
(Optional but recommended): You might make a very first, empty commit to establish a base main or master branch.
Bash
mkdir super-laser-c
cd super-laser-c
git init
git commit --allow-empty -m "Initial commit for SuperLaserC project" # Or omit this if you prefer
At this point, your super-laser-c repo has no project files, only Git's internal .git folder and perhaps one initial commit representing the project's inception.
You then add LaserA as a remote, fetch its history, and merge it into super-laser-c using --allow-unrelated-histories.
Bash
git remote add laserA /path/to/repo-laserA
git fetch laserA
git merge laserA/main --allow-unrelated-histories
This operation effectively imports LaserA's entire history (and its files) into your super-laser-c repo. A new merge commit is created, acting as the first common ancestor between the initial (empty) SuperLaserC history and LaserA's history.
You then repeat the process for LaserB (and LaserD, etc.), also using --allow-unrelated-histories for each first merge of an independent source.
Bash
git remote add laserB /path/to/repo-laserB
git fetch laserB
git merge laserB/main --allow-unrelated-histories
Each time, a new merge commit is created, linking that specific source's history into the growing SuperLaserC history.
Key Characteristics / Advantages:
Clean Conceptual Starting Point: SuperLaserC starts as its own unique entity. Its earliest commits explicitly show the points where other projects were integrated.
Distinct History Root: The super-laser-c repository has its own independent root commit (the initial git init or empty commit). All other laser histories branch off from this point or are connected to it via the --allow-unrelated-histories merges.
No Implicit Bias: You're not implicitly giving one laser's history more prominence than another in the overall SuperLaserC history graph's earliest common points.
Ideal for "New Product" Mindset: This is best when SuperLaserC is genuinely a new product built from components of existing lasers, rather than just an extension of one of them.
Disadvantages:
Might require more manual copying/deleting of files after the initial merge to get to the "70%/80%" state, as git merge brings all files.
2. The "Non-Empty" Approach (Starting by Cloning an Existing Laser Repository)
How it works:
You choose one of the existing laser repositories (e.g., LaserA) to be the "base" or starting point for your SuperLaserC project.
You clone this repository and rename it to super-laser-c.
Bash
git clone /path/to/repo-laserA super-laser-c
cd super-laser-c
# (Optional: remove the 'origin' remote if you don't want to track LaserA's original repo anymore)
# git remote remove origin
At this point, your super-laser-c repo contains all the files and the entire commit history of LaserA. Its earliest history is identical to LaserA's.
You then immediately prune it down to the "70% from LaserA" by deleting the unwanted files and committing that change.
Bash
rm -rf unwanted_laserA_files/
git add .
git commit -m "Trimmed LaserA to 70% for SuperLaserC base"
You then add LaserB as a remote, fetch its history, and merge it into super-laser-c using --allow-unrelated-histories.
Bash
git remote add laserB /path/to/repo-laserB
git fetch laserB
git merge laserB/main --allow-unrelated-histories
Crucial point: Even though your super-laser-c now has LaserA's complete history, LaserB's history is still completely separate and unrelated to LaserA's. Therefore, --allow-unrelated-histories is still required for the first merge of LaserB (and LaserD, etc.) into super-laser-c.
Key Characteristics / Advantages:
Direct Historical Link: The history of SuperLaserC directly begins with the chosen base laser (e.g., LaserA). This can be advantageous if SuperLaserC is truly considered a direct "fork" or "evolution" of one specific original laser.
Potentially Simpler Initial File Management: If the chosen base laser's file structure is very close to what SuperLaserC will be, you might have less initial file moving/copying.
Disadvantages:
Historical Bias: The entire early history of SuperLaserC is dominated by the chosen base laser, even if other lasers contribute equally significant parts. This might make the history graph visually less balanced.
Still Requires --allow-unrelated-histories for Others: You still need the flag for every other independent laser you bring in.
Summary of Differences:
Feature "Empty" Approach "Non-Empty" Approach (Cloning a base)
Initial super-laser-c Empty directory, git init Clone of an existing LaserX repo
Earliest History A unique, initial SuperLaserC root commit Identical to the chosen LaserX's earliest history
First Merge of LaserA (if not base) --allow-unrelated-histories needed git clone already copies history; no merge needed
First Merge of LaserB (and other non-base) --allow-unrelated-histories needed --allow-unrelated-histories still needed
History Graph Start SuperLaserC's own root, with subsequent merges Directly starts with the base LaserX's history
Conceptual Model SuperLaserC as a new, composite entity SuperLaserC as a direct descendant/fork
In both approaches, the core problem of merging unrelated histories when bringing in each subsequent independent laser (i.e., LaserB, LaserD, and any others after the first one is established) remains the same, and requires the --allow-unrelated-histories flag. The difference is simply where the SuperLaserC project's "historical identity" truly begins.
What if after the integration LaserA and LaserB are further developed and need to be re-integrated
This is where Git truly shines! Once you've performed the initial integration of LaserA and LaserB into SuperLaserC (using git merge --allow-unrelated-histories for their first introduction, as discussed), all subsequent updates from LaserA and LaserB into SuperLaserC become standard Git merge operations.
Here's how that flow would typically work:
Continued Development on LaserA and LaserB:
The teams working on LaserA and LaserB continue their independent development in their respective repositories (or branches within those repositories). They commit new features, bug fixes, and improvements.
Keeping SuperLaserC Up-to-Date:
In your super-laser-c repository, you would regularly pull in the latest changes from LaserA and LaserB.
Fetch the latest changes:
Bash
cd super-laser-c
git fetch laserA
git fetch laserB
This command brings the new commits from the laserA and laserB remotes into your local super-laser-c repository, but it doesn't merge them into your active branch yet. They'll be available under remotes/laserA/main (or master, etc.) and remotes/laserB/main.
Merge the new changes into SuperLaserC:
Let's say you're on your main or develop branch in super-laser-c.
Bash
git merge laserA/main
# Resolve any conflicts that arise from LaserA's new changes with existing SuperLaserC code
git commit -m "Merged latest developments from LaserA into SuperLaserC"
git merge laserB/main
# Resolve any conflicts that arise from LaserB's new changes with existing SuperLaserC code
git commit -m "Merged latest developments from LaserB into SuperLaserC"
No --allow-unrelated-histories needed! This is because, after the initial merge, LaserA's and LaserB's histories are now "related" to SuperLaserC's history. There's a common ancestor (the merge commit from their first integration). Git can now perform a standard three-way merge, efficiently combining the divergent paths of development.
Refined SuperLaserC (Integrating Remaining Percentages, Iteratively):
When you decide to integrate the "remaining 30% of LaserA and 20% of LaserB" (or any new components that become relevant later), this is just a continuation of the regular merge process.
The new features/components would exist as commits within the laserA/main or laserB/main history. When you git merge these branches, those new commits, along with their associated files, are brought into SuperLaserC.
Conflict Resolution: As with any merge, if the new changes from LaserA or LaserB conflict with changes already in SuperLaserC (or with each other if both LaserA and LaserB updated the same part since the last merge), Git will mark these conflicts, and you'll manually resolve them. This is often the most time-consuming part of integrating actively developed, parallel components.
Managing the Integration Process:
Feature Branches in SuperLaserC: For larger integrations or when incorporating those "remaining percentages," it's good practice to create a dedicated feature branch in SuperLaserC:
Bash
git checkout -b integrate-laserA-phase2
git merge laserA/main
# ... resolve conflicts, refine integration ...
git commit -m "Integrated phase 2 of LaserA features"
git checkout main
git merge integrate-laserA-phase2
git branch -d integrate-laserA-phase2
Frequency of Merges: The optimal frequency for these re-integrations depends on the project:
Frequent (e.g., daily): Reduces the size and complexity of each individual merge, making conflicts easier to resolve.
Infrequent (e.g., weekly/monthly): Allows for more independent development but can lead to very large and complex merge conflicts.
Why Git Excels in This Scenario:
Three-Way Merge Algorithm: Git's core strength is its efficient three-way merge. It identifies the common ancestor and then intelligently combines the changes from both diverging lines of development.
Conflict Resolution Tools: Git provides robust tools (git status, git diff, git mergetool) to help you identify and resolve conflicts when automatic merging isn't possible.
Complete History: Every time you merge, Git records a merge commit that explicitly links the history of the SuperLaserC branch with the history of the integrated LaserA or LaserB branch. This means you can always trace back exactly when and from where changes were introduced.
Distributed Nature: Each laser can continue to be developed by its own team in its own repository, and SuperLaserC can pull those changes as needed, fostering parallel development without direct interference.
So, while the initial "unrelated histories" step is unique, the subsequent process of re-integrating ongoing development from multiple, now-related sources is a fundamental and well-supported Git workflow.
For more on how Git handles subsequent merges, you can watch How to Merge Master into any Branch in Git.
YouTube
How to Merge Master into any Branch in Git - YouTube
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what if LaserA and LaserB want to indepedently developed further based on SuperLaserC ?
This is a fantastic follow-up question, as it introduces a common and somewhat more complex scenario in advanced Git workflows: divergent development after a shared base.
Let's imagine the timeline:
Independent Invention: LaserA and LaserB are developed separately.
Initial SuperLaserC Creation: Components (70% A, 80% B) are integrated into a new SuperLaserC repository. At this point, SuperLaserC effectively holds a common ancestor or merge point from both A and B.
Divergent Development:
LaserA continues its own development.
LaserB continues its own development.
SuperLaserC also continues its own development, building on the combined work.
Now, LaserA and LaserB want to integrate SuperLaserC's improvements back into their own codebases. This means they want to update their original projects with the innovations that only exist in SuperLaserC.
How to Integrate SuperLaserC's Developments into LaserA and LaserB
There are two primary Git strategies for this, each with its own implications for history: git merge and git cherry-pick (or git rebase --onto).
Strategy 1: git merge (Preserving History)
This is the most straightforward and generally recommended approach if you want to explicitly preserve the full history of where changes came from.
Scenario for LaserA (similar for LaserB):
Add SuperLaserC as a remote in LaserA's repository:
Go to your LaserA repository:
Bash
cd /path/to/repo-laserA
git remote add superlaserC /path/to/repo-superlaserC # Or the URL
You might already have superlaserC as a remote if LaserA was initially set up to git fetch from superlaserC for other reasons.
Fetch the latest from SuperLaserC:
Bash
git fetch superlaserC
This brings all the new commits from superlaserC into your local repo-laserA.
Merge SuperLaserC's changes into LaserA:
Switch to the branch in LaserA you want to update (e.g., main):
Bash
git checkout main # In repo-laserA
git merge superlaserC/main # Merge SuperLaserC's main branch into LaserA's main branch
Will --allow-unrelated-histories be needed? NO.
When SuperLaserC was initially created, it incorporated parts of LaserA. This means that from a certain point forward, SuperLaserC's history is related to LaserA's history (the merge commit where LaserA's 70% was brought in).
Git will find the common ancestor between LaserA/main and superlaserC/main (which will be a commit somewhere in LaserA's original history before it was integrated into SuperLaserC, or the merge commit in SuperLaserC itself if LaserA's development was linear and then merged).
Git will then perform a standard three-way merge.
Resolve Conflicts:
It's highly probable you'll encounter merge conflicts. LaserA has continued developing, and SuperLaserC has also developed based on LaserA (and LaserB). These parallel developments mean conflicting changes are likely.
You'll need to manually resolve these conflicts, git add the resolved files, and git commit the merge.
Outcome with git merge:
LaserA's history will show a merge commit (or multiple merge commits if you do this repeatedly) where the changes from SuperLaserC were brought in.
This creates a non-linear history in LaserA that clearly indicates where SuperLaserC's innovations were incorporated.
This approach is generally preferred for integrating divergent work because it maintains an accurate record of what happened (i.e., "we merged SuperLaserC into LaserA at this point").
Strategy 2: git cherry-pick or git rebase --onto (Rewriting History Selectively)
This approach is used if LaserA (or LaserB) wants to incorporate specific commits from SuperLaserC, or wants a cleaner, more linear history.
Scenario for LaserA (similar for LaserB):
Identify relevant commits in SuperLaserC:
In the super-laser-c repository, use git log to identify the commits that represent the "innovations" or features that LaserA wants to pull back.
For example, commits S1, S2, S3 in SuperLaserC represent the desired new features.
Apply these commits in LaserA using git cherry-pick:
Go to your LaserA repository and ensure you've fetched from SuperLaserC (git fetch superlaserC).
Switch to the branch you want to update (e.g., main):
Bash
cd /path/to/repo-laserA
git checkout main
git cherry-pick <commit-hash-S1> <commit-hash-S2> <commit-hash-S3>
Conflict Resolution: Just like with merging, you will likely face conflicts for each cherry-picked commit. You'll resolve them, git add the files, and git cherry-pick --continue for each commit.
Outcome with git cherry-pick:
New commits (S1', S2', S3') with identical changes (but different commit hashes and possibly different commit dates/authors if not preserved) will be created directly on LaserA's branch.
The history in LaserA will remain more linear, as there are no explicit merge commits linking back to SuperLaserC's branch.
This can lead to a cleaner git log if done carefully, but it disconnects the direct historical link to SuperLaserC's actual commits. You lose the explicit merge lineage.
It's generally more complex for a large number of commits or frequent integrations.
Using git rebase --onto for a range of commits:
If there's a specific set of commits in SuperLaserC (e.g., a "feature branch" that was developed within SuperLaserC) that LaserA wants to take, git rebase --onto can be an option.
Bash
# In repo-laserA
git checkout -b temp-branch # Create a temporary branch to work on
git rebase --onto main_in_LaserA <common_ancestor_before_SuperLaserC_commits> superlaserC/main
# Then merge temp-branch into LaserA's main, or repeat for another branch.
This essentially "replays" the commits from SuperLaserC/main (since the common ancestor) onto LaserA's main branch. This also rewrites history in a more linear fashion and should be used with caution, especially on shared branches.
Considerations for Re-integration:
Conflict Management: This is the biggest practical challenge. As LaserA, LaserB, and SuperLaserC all evolve, changes will inevitably overlap. Robust conflict resolution skills are paramount.
Architectural Drift: Over time, if LaserA and LaserB absorb too much of SuperLaserC's consolidated design without their own independent architectural review, they might lose their original coherence or diverge too far from their primary purpose.
Code Ownership/Responsibility: Clear lines of who is responsible for what parts of the code need to be maintained. When SuperLaserC's "unified" code comes back to LaserA, who owns conflicts related to parts originally from LaserB?
Testing: Rigorous testing is essential after each re-integration to ensure that the merged changes don't break existing functionality in LaserA or LaserB.
In summary, Git provides the tools (merge, cherry-pick, rebase) to handle these complex re-integrations. The choice of strategy depends on whether you prioritize a clean, linear history (cherry-pick/rebase) or an explicit, accurate, non-linear history (merge) and the scale of changes being brought back. For ongoing synchronization, git merge is usually the most robust and transparent.
what if LaserA and LaserB repos were resetted and started from with the design of SuperLaserC ?
You're describing a scenario where the original LaserA and LaserB projects essentially fork off from the combined SuperLaserC design. This is a very interesting use case that impacts their entire future history.
Let's break down how this would work and its implications:
Scenario: LaserA and LaserB Reset and Fork from SuperLaserC
Pre-requisites:
You have repo-laserA with its original history.
You have repo-laserB with its original history.
You have repo-superlaserC which has successfully integrated (and likely further developed upon) the designs from LaserA and LaserB.
The Action: The teams maintaining repo-laserA and repo-laserB decide to discard their old histories and replace their projects entirely with the current state of SuperLaserC.
Step-by-Step for LaserA (and then repeat for LaserB):
Backup the old repo-laserA (Crucial!):
Before doing anything drastic like resetting history, make a complete backup of the existing repo-laserA. This is your safety net in case something goes wrong or they ever need to refer to the old, independent history.
Bash
cp -r /path/to/repo-laserA /path/to/repo-laserA_backup_pre_superlaserC_fork
Navigate to repo-laserA:
Bash
cd /path/to/repo-laserA
Remove all existing Git remote connections:
This ensures you're starting fresh, avoiding accidental pushes to the old origin or pulls from unrelated sources.
Bash
git remote remove origin # If it exists
# Remove any other remotes if present
Reset the repository to an empty state:
This is the critical step where you effectively erase the old history.
Bash
git checkout --orphan temp_superlaserC_fork # Create a new, independent branch without any history
git rm -rf . # Remove all tracked files from the working directory and index
git clean -fdx # Remove untracked files and directories (be very careful with this!)
git checkout --orphan: This command creates a new branch, completely disconnected from your current history. It effectively makes this branch the "first commit" of a new, unrelated history.
git rm -rf .: Removes all files from Git's index and your working directory.
git clean -fdx: Removes any untracked files or directories, ensuring your repository is truly clean.
Add repo-superlaserC as a remote:
Bash
git remote add superlaserC /path/to/repo-superlaserC # Or the URL
Pull the design from superlaserC:
Bash
git pull superlaserC main --allow-unrelated-histories
# Or more explicitly:
# git fetch superlaserC
# git merge superlaserC/main --allow-unrelated-histories
--allow-unrelated-histories IS NECESSARY HERE! Even though superlaserC contains parts of LaserA's original history, the temp_superlaserC_fork branch you just created in repo-laserA has absolutely no common history with superlaserC/main. It's a completely new, independent root.
This command will bring all files and the entire history of superlaserC/main into repo-laserA's temp_superlaserC_fork branch.
Rename the branch and set up the new "main":
Bash
git branch -M main # Rename your current branch to 'main'
# Or if you were on 'master': git branch -M master
Now, repo-laserA's main branch effectively is superlaserC's main branch, but with a merge commit linking this new history root.
Force Push to Remote (if shared):
If repo-laserA was a remote repository that others were using, you would now need to force push this change, which overwrites the remote history. This is a highly destructive operation and should only be done with full team awareness and agreement.
Bash
git push -u origin main --force # Be EXTREMELY careful with --force
Alternatively, delete the old remote branch and push the new one.
Implications of This Approach:
Complete Loss of Original History for LaserA/LaserB: The old, independent development history of LaserA and LaserB is gone from their active repositories. You can only recover it from your backups.
New Shared History Root: LaserA (and LaserB) now share a common, unified history with SuperLaserC, starting from the point of that initial git pull/merge --allow-unrelated-histories.
Simplified Future Merges: From this point forward, if LaserA wants to get updates from SuperLaserC, it's just a regular git pull superlaserC main (or git merge superlaserC/main). No more --allow-unrelated-histories needed between LaserA and SuperLaserC.
Renaming/Refactoring: The internal structure of LaserA/LaserB would now match SuperLaserC. This might involve significant renaming of files, folders, and internal code references within LaserA and LaserB to align with the SuperLaserC design.
Ownership and Branding: Conceptually, LaserA and LaserB are no longer "independent inventions" in the pure sense; they have adopted SuperLaserC as their new foundational design. This has implications for branding, documentation, and IP.
Reduced Divergence: If LaserA and LaserB commit to this, it means future changes they make should ideally feed back into SuperLaserC, or at least be compatible with it, reducing future merge conflicts between them.
This "reset and fork" approach is essentially declaring: "Our project LaserA is no longer a distinct project evolving from its original roots. It is now a direct derivative and ongoing development stream of SuperLaserC." It's a powerful and technically viable Git operation, but it carries significant organizational and historical implications.
Now what if this happens repeatedly, would it not make more sense to simply version LaserA and LaserB itself and use branches V1, V2, V3 and so forth, instead of this messy work flow ? (with backups, renames, etc)
You've hit on a critical point that exposes the core conceptual misunderstanding of using separate repositories for what should arguably be branches or components within a single, unified repository.
Yes, absolutely! If LaserA and LaserB are repeatedly "resetting" and "forking" from SuperLaserC, or if SuperLaserC is constantly pulling parts from A and B, then maintaining them as entirely separate, independent Git repositories with their own distinct histories quickly becomes a "messy workflow" that actively fights against Git's strengths.
You are absolutely correct: it would make far more sense to use branches, or to restructure the entire project as a monorepo with well-defined subdirectories.
Why the Current "Separate Repos + Reset/Fork" Workflow is Messy:
History Fragmentation and Loss:
Resets are Destructive: Every time LaserA/B "resets" and pulls from SuperLaserC, it erases its own unique history up to that point. You lose the granular evolution of LaserA/B's specific developments that didn't make it into SuperLaserC, or the specific reasons for certain design choices unique to LaserA/B.
Requires Backups: The need for constant backups highlights the destructive nature of the process.
Constant --allow-unrelated-histories:
If you're truly resetting and re-initializing the Git history within LaserA/B, you'll need this flag every single time you pull from SuperLaserC, because you're creating a new, unrelated root for LaserA/B's history. This is semantically incorrect if A/B are truly meant to evolve from SuperLaserC.
Redundant Conflict Resolution:
Every "reset and pull" is like starting a new project, and you'll likely re-encounter conflicts you might have already resolved in previous iterations or in SuperLaserC.
No Clear Lineage for Divergence/Convergence:
Git excels at showing "who branched from whom and when, and who merged back." The reset/fork approach obscures this, making it hard to trace back the exact source of a piece of code or a specific design decision from LaserA's original path if it diverged before being swallowed by SuperLaserC.
Operational Overhead:
Managing multiple separate repositories.
The manual steps of removing remotes, resetting, adding new remotes, and force pushing.
Educating developers on this unusual (and often discouraged) workflow.
The Recommended Solution: Branches (or Monorepo)
Here are the much cleaner and more efficient Git-native approaches:
Option 1: Using Branches for Versions (V1, V2, V3...)
This is excellent if the different "versions" (SuperLaserC's design, then LaserA's specific iteration, then LaserB's) are all essentially different states of the same underlying project.
Conceptual Flow:
Initial SuperLaserC Repository (repo-superlaserC):
This is your central, authoritative repository.
It starts by integrating LaserA and LaserB (as discussed, with --allow-unrelated-histories only once to bring their initial historical roots in, if they were truly separate repos before).
LaserA Develops from SuperLaserC:
Instead of repo-laserA, the LaserA team works within a branch of repo-superlaserC.
They would pull repo-superlaserC (their main or develop branch) into their specific feature/laserA_custom branch.
When they have a "LaserA V1" or "LaserA V2" (a specific release or stable version), they can tag it in this shared repository: git tag LaserA-V1.0.
LaserB Develops from SuperLaserC:
Similarly, the LaserB team works in their own feature/laserB_custom branch within repo-superlaserC.
They too can tag their versions: git tag LaserB-V1.0.
SuperLaserC Continues Development:
The SuperLaserC team continues to develop on their main or develop branch. They can merge the specific improvements from feature/laserA_custom or feature/laserB_custom back into superlaserC/main as needed.
Advantages of Branches:
Integrated History: All versions and variations live in one repository, sharing a unified history. git log shows everything.
Easy Merging: Regular git merge or git pull operations between branches (e.g., feature/laserA_custom pulling from main, or main merging from feature/laserA_custom) are standard and efficient. No more --allow-unrelated-histories needed.
Clear Lineage: You can easily see how LaserA-V2 diverged from SuperLaserC-V1 and where LaserB-V3 merged back.
Reduced Overhead: No need for separate remotes, cloning, deleting, resetting, or force pushing.
Centralized Source of Truth: repo-superlaserC becomes the single source of truth for the entire product family.
Option 2: Monorepo with Subdirectories (for Component-Based Development)
If LaserA and LaserB are more like independent components or modules that contribute to (and can also derive from) SuperLaserC, a monorepo structure might be even cleaner.
Conceptual Flow:
Single Monorepo (repo-superlaser-family):
This repository would contain subdirectories for laserA_module, laserB_module, and superlaserC_product.
Initial population would still involve importing histories, possibly using git filter-repo to correctly place content into subdirectories while preserving a consolidated history.
Component Development:
LaserA team works exclusively within the laserA_module/ directory.
LaserB team works exclusively within the laserB_module/ directory.
SuperLaserC team works on the superlaserC_product/ directory, which consumes/integrates code from laserA_module/ and laserB_module/.
Re-integration:
When laserA_module is updated, superlaserC_product simply sees it as an internal dependency update, no complex merging of external repos needed.
When laserA_module or laserB_module needs to "pull" updates from superlaserC_product (e.g., a shared utility or a refactored interface), this is done within the same repository, likely by merging a shared "core" branch or by explicit code updates.
Advantages of Monorepo:
Ultimate Single Source of Truth: Everything is in one place.
Atomic Commits: Changes across components can be committed atomically.
Simplified Dependency Management: Internal dependencies are straightforward.
Centralized Tooling/CI/CD: Easier to set up consistent build and test processes.
Conclusion
The "messy workflow" you described (repeated resets, backups, --allow-unrelated-histories) is a clear signal that the Git repository structure is not aligned with the project's actual development flow.
If LaserA and LaserB are truly meant to evolve from and with SuperLaserC, then they should logically share the same Git history. This is best achieved by:
Consolidating into a single repository and using branches for different product variations (LaserA's specific version, LaserB's specific version) and the main SuperLaserC development.
Or, adopting a monorepo structure if LaserA and LaserB are more akin to sub-components of a larger system.
This will provide a much cleaner, more efficient, and more accurate historical record of your SuperLaser project's evolution.
The moral of the story is by starting fresh it prevents re-integrations which were already done to SuperLaserC...
Yes, you've precisely captured the "moral of the story" in a crucial way!
The moral of the story of "resetting" LaserA/B to derive from SuperLaserC is:
"By starting (LaserA/B) fresh from SuperLaserC, it prevents re-integrating the parts of LaserA/B that were already incorporated and refined within SuperLaserC, effectively eliminating the need to repeatedly merge changes that have already been unified and potentially improved."
Let's break down why this is the case and why it's a "moral" in terms of efficient Git workflow:
The Problem with Repeated Re-integrations (Without Reset/Fork)
If LaserA and LaserB didn't reset and instead just kept pulling from SuperLaserC, you'd face issues:
Redundant Merge Commits & History Bloat: Every time SuperLaserC pulled from LaserA, and then LaserA pulled from SuperLaserC, you'd get a criss-crossing, "diamond" shaped history. While technically correct, it can become visually complex and conceptually difficult to follow.
Risk of Re-Introducing Old Issues: If SuperLaserC fixed a bug originating from LaserA's initial contribution, and then LaserA didn't reset but just kept developing, future merges from LaserA into SuperLaserC might re-introduce that bug if LaserA hadn't also fixed it independently.
Divergence Headaches: Over time, LaserA and LaserB would likely develop features or architectural patterns that are unique to their independent paths, making future merges into SuperLaserC more complex due to increasing divergence.
The Advantage of "Starting Fresh" (Reset/Fork)
By having LaserA and LaserB "reset" and begin their new histories from SuperLaserC, you achieve:
Unified Baseline: LaserA and LaserB immediately start with the combined and possibly optimized design of SuperLaserC. They don't have to re-merge old parts of themselves that SuperLaserC already integrated.
Elimination of Redundant Effort: All the intellectual effort of combining, resolving conflicts, and optimizing LaserA and LaserB within SuperLaserC is now effectively inherited by LaserA and LaserB. They don't have to do that integration work again.
Clearer Future Path: LaserA and LaserB now know their starting point is SuperLaserC. Their future development can then focus on specialization from that common base, rather than constantly fighting against their own pre-SuperLaserC history.
Simpler Future Merges (SuperLaserC -> LaserA/B): Once LaserA and LaserB have forked from SuperLaserC, any further updates they need from SuperLaserC are standard git pull/git merge operations because their histories are now inherently related.
The True "Moral": Aligning Git Structure with Project Reality
The deeper moral here isn't just about avoiding re-integrations, but about aligning your Git repository structure and workflow with the actual conceptual flow and dependencies of your project.
If LaserA and LaserB are truly becoming derivatives or variants of SuperLaserC, then they should share a common history.
If they are genuinely independent components that contribute to SuperLaserC, but also have their own distinct lives, then a monorepo or careful git subtree/git submodule strategy might be better to maintain their independent, yet related, development.
The "reset and fork" method, while technically achievable with Git, is essentially a dramatic way to enforce this alignment after the fact. A more proactive and Git-native approach would be to start with a single repository and use branches or monorepo structures from the outset, if the intent was always for LaserA and LaserB to eventually become "versions" or "derivations" of a combined SuperLaserC.
Final question, do you believe Skybuck's Git Workflow would be more suited for the laser approach.
Skybuck's Git Workflow is a fascinating and highly opinionated approach, clearly designed for specific project needs. Let's analyze whether it would be more suited for the laser approach, considering the various scenarios we discussed.
Analyzing Skybuck's Git Workflow for the Laser Approach
Core Strengths of Skybuck's Workflow Relevant to Lasers:
Permanent History & Auditing: This is a HUGE advantage for a complex engineering/scientific project like laser development.
Traceability: Every single experiment, design iteration, and code change (whether it leads to a successful merge or not) is permanently recorded and tagged. This is invaluable for:
Scientific Replication: Understanding why a certain laser design worked or failed.
Intellectual Property: Proving precedence or the evolution of a patentable design.
Debugging/Forensics: If a SuperLaserC unit fails in the field, you can trace its exact software/firmware version back to specific individual contributions, even if they were "rejected" or only partially integrated.
Regulatory Compliance: Many highly regulated industries (e.g., medical devices, aerospace, defense) require extremely robust change control and audit trails.
Explicit Branch Status (Tags): The active/, merged/, rejected/ tagging system is a very clear way to manage the lifecycle of a particular design idea or feature. This directly maps to the iterative nature of laser development:
active/LaserA_Experiment001-NewGainMedium: Currently testing a new material.
merged/LaserA_DesignUpdate-ResonatorV2: This design has been incorporated into the core.
rejected/LaserB_Prototype-CompactPowerSupply: This design was tried but didn't meet requirements.
This provides a far richer understanding of the project's journey than just deleted branches.
Controlled Integration into master (SuperLaserC): master being the "authoritative source" aligns perfectly with SuperLaserC being the ultimate product. All component development (LaserA, LaserB, LaserD) feeds into this central master.
BackTo and TheFuture: These custom commands are particularly well-suited for laser development:
git BackTo <tagname>: Allows engineers to easily resurrect a past laser design (e.g., git BackTo merged/LaserA_DesignV1 "Revisit V1 for low-power variant"). This is common in R&D to revisit "failed" ideas when new materials or techniques become available.
git TheFuture (Rebase): Enables bringing an old experimental design up to date with the latest master (SuperLaserC), allowing its re-evaluation against modern capabilities without manually re-implementing current features. This is less about integrating whole separate repos, and more about updating an internal branch.
Challenges/Considerations for Laser Approach with Skybuck's Workflow:
Initial "Unrelated Histories" Integration: Skybuck's workflow primarily assumes development within a single, central repository. It doesn't explicitly detail the initial git merge --allow-unrelated-histories step when bringing in truly separate, pre-existing repo-laserA and repo-laserB into repo-superlaserC.
How it would fit: repo-superlaserC would still need to perform the initial git merge --allow-unrelated-histories for LaserA and LaserB. Once their histories are linked, then the master of repo-superlaserC becomes the central hub, and all subsequent work (including specific LaserA/B variants) would ideally occur on contribution branches within repo-superlaserC.
Monorepo vs. Multi-repo: Skybuck's workflow strongly implies a monorepo approach or at least a highly centralized single repository (repo-superlaserC) where all component variations live as branches. If LaserA and LaserB absolutely must remain as truly independent repositories (e.g., due to separate company ownership, proprietary secrets that cannot be shared even in a single repo), then Skybuck's workflow would need to be adapted, possibly by having LaserA/B repos also use elements of this workflow for their internal development, and then pushing/pulling to SuperLaserC as needed. However, the core benefits of "permanent history" are best realized when everything lives in one central repository.
Branch Sprawl Management: While tags help, for extremely long-lived projects with many iterations and experiments, the sheer number of permanent branches might become overwhelming if not managed strictly with good tooling/filtering.
Verdict
Yes, Skybuck's Git Workflow would be highly suited for the laser approach, particularly for the SuperLaserC project as the central, authoritative repository.
Why?
The core principles of permanent, auditable history and explicit status tagging are exceptionally valuable in scientific research and high-tech engineering like laser development. The ability to precisely revisit any past design idea (via BackTo) and understand its status (merged, rejected, active) is a significant advantage over workflows that routinely delete branches or obscure historical context.
The "messy workflow" of repeatedly resetting LaserA/B to SuperLaserC would be completely avoided if Skybuck's workflow were adopted from the outset for the entire project. Instead, LaserA's specific developments would become UserPrefixContribution branches within the main repo-superlaserC, clearly labeled, managed, and permanently stored.
It aligns perfectly with the need for:
Deep R&D traceability.
IP protection and proof of invention.
Managing complex, iterative design processes.
Forensic analysis in case of performance issues or failures.
The initial setup might involve a careful migration of existing LaserA/B histories into a consolidated repo-superlaserC (perhaps using git filter-repo to place them in appropriate subdirectories while retaining history), but once established, Skybuck's workflow would provide the robust framework needed for such a high-stakes, collaborative, and evolving project.
Bye,
Skybuck Flying
skybuck2000@hotmail.com
^ permalink raw reply [flat|nested] 14+ messages in thread
* Was "Re: [RFC] Proposed Git Workflow for Permanent History, Explicit Branch Status, and Developer Continuity" now "Skybuck's GitFlow"
2025-07-27 3:04 ` Skybuck Flying
2025-07-27 23:55 ` SuperLaserC from LaserA and LaserB, continue LaserA/B fresh from SuperLaserC was " Skybuck Flying
@ 2025-08-29 19:42 ` Skybuck Flying
2025-08-29 20:11 ` Skybuck Flying
1 sibling, 1 reply; 14+ messages in thread
From: Skybuck Flying @ 2025-08-29 19:42 UTC (permalink / raw)
To: git@vger.kernel.org
Version 0.08 of Skybuck's Gitflow is now available, all source code below:
Save program 1 as "git-back-to.dpr":
program git_back_to;
{
Skybuck's GitFlow
version 0.08 created on 29 august 2025 by Skybuck Flying and Gemini (AI) and Co-Pilot (AI).
credits:
Almost all code by Google Gemini 2.5 Pro.
GetBranchVersionDigits code by Microsoft Co-Pilot.
Software Idea and Prompting and Overwatching the AI: Skybuck Flying.
improvements for version 0.08:
+ local git support
+ better contribution number
Delphi code developed for Delphi 12.3 and Windows 11.
}
{$APPTYPE CONSOLE}
uses
System.SysUtils,
System.Classes,
System.RegularExpressions,
System.IOUtils,
Winapi.Windows,
ActiveX,
MSXML;
function ExecuteCommand(const Command: string; out Output: TStringList): Integer;
var
SA: TSecurityAttributes;
SI: TStartupInfo;
PI: TProcessInformation;
hRead, hWrite: THandle;
Buffer: array[0..1023] of AnsiChar;
BytesRead: DWord;
Cmd: string;
FullOutput: AnsiString;
begin
Output := TStringList.Create;
Result := -1;
FullOutput := '';
SA.nLength := SizeOf(TSecurityAttributes);
SA.bInheritHandle := True;
SA.lpSecurityDescriptor := nil;
if not CreatePipe(hRead, hWrite, @SA, 0) then
begin
Exit;
end;
try
FillChar(SI, SizeOf(TStartupInfo), 0);
SI.cb := SizeOf(TStartupInfo);
SI.dwFlags := STARTF_USESTDHANDLES or STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW;
SI.hStdInput := GetStdHandle(STD_INPUT_HANDLE);
SI.hStdOutput := hWrite;
SI.hStdError := hWrite;
SI.wShowWindow := SW_HIDE;
Cmd := 'cmd.exe /C ' + Command;
if not CreateProcess(nil, PChar(Cmd), nil, nil, True, 0, nil, nil, SI, PI) then
begin
Exit;
end;
CloseHandle(hWrite);
try
while True do
begin
if not ReadFile(hRead, Buffer, SizeOf(Buffer) - 1, BytesRead, nil) or (BytesRead = 0) then
begin
break;
end;
Buffer[BytesRead] := #0;
FullOutput := FullOutput + AnsiString(Buffer);
end;
WaitForSingleObject(PI.hProcess, INFINITE);
GetExitCodeProcess(PI.hProcess, Cardinal(Result));
finally
CloseHandle(PI.hProcess);
CloseHandle(PI.hThread);
end;
finally
CloseHandle(hRead);
end;
Output.Text := string(FullOutput);
end;
function GetBranchVersionDigits: Integer;
var
XMLDoc: IXMLDOMDocument2;
Node: IXMLDOMNode;
ConfigPath: string;
CoInitResult: HRESULT;
begin
Result := 4; // Default value
ConfigPath := ExtractFilePath(ParamStr(0)) + 'SkybuckGitflow.cfg';
if FileExists(ConfigPath) then
begin
// Initialize COM for this thread
CoInitResult := CoInitialize(nil);
try
try
XMLDoc := CoDOMDocument60.Create;
if not Assigned(XMLDoc) then
begin
raise Exception.Create('Failed to create MSXML 6.0 document');
end;
XMLDoc.async := False;
if not XMLDoc.load(ConfigPath) then
begin
// Check for a parse error object before accessing its properties
if Assigned(XMLDoc.parseError) then
begin
raise Exception.Create('XML load failed: ' + XMLDoc.parseError.reason)
end
else
begin
raise Exception.Create('XML load failed with an unknown error.');
end;
end;
Node := XMLDoc.selectSingleNode('//BranchVersionDigits');
if Assigned(Node) then
begin
Result := StrToIntDef(Node.text, 4);
end;
except
on E: Exception do
begin
Writeln('Error processing config file: ', E.Message);
end;
end;
finally
// *** THE FIX IS HERE ***
// Release COM objects BEFORE CoUninitialize is called.
Node := nil;
XMLDoc := nil;
// Uninitialize COM only if it was successfully initialized on this call.
if SUCCEEDED(CoInitResult) then // Use SUCCEEDED for robustness
begin
CoUninitialize;
end;
end;
end;
end;
function RemoteOriginExists: boolean;
var
Output: TStringList;
begin
Output := TStringList.Create;
try
Result := ExecuteCommand('git remote get-url origin > NUL 2>&1', Output) = 0;
finally
Output.Free;
end;
end;
function GetGitConfigValue(const ConfigKey: string): string;
var
Output: TStringList;
begin
Result := '';
Output := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git config ' + ConfigKey, Output) = 0 then
begin
if Output.Count > 0 then
begin
Result := Trim(Output.Text);
end;
end;
finally
Output.Free;
end;
end;
function Slugify(const Input: string): string;
begin
Result := Input.ToLower;
Result := TRegEx.Replace(Result, '[^a-z0-9]+', '-');
Result := TRegEx.Replace(Result, '^-+|-+$', '');
if Length(Result) > 50 then
begin
Result := Copy(Result, 1, 50);
end;
end;
function GetNextContributionNumber(const UserPrefix: string; ParaRemoteExists: boolean): Integer;
var
Output: TStringList;
MaxNum: Integer;
Match: TMatch;
Num: Integer;
S, vRefs: string;
begin
MaxNum := 0;
Output := TStringList.Create;
try
if ParaRemoteExists then
begin
ExecuteCommand('git fetch origin --prune', Output); // Sync with remote
Output.Clear;
vRefs := 'refs/heads refs/remotes/origin';
end
else
begin
vRefs := 'refs/heads';
end;
if ExecuteCommand('git for-each-ref --format="%(refname:short)" ' + vRefs, Output) = 0 then
begin
S := Output.Text;
for Match in TRegEx.Matches(S, '^' + UserPrefix + 'Contribution(\d+)-') do
begin
if Match.Success then
begin
Num := StrToIntDef(Match.Groups[1].Value, 0);
if Num > MaxNum then
begin
MaxNum := Num;
end;
end;
end;
end;
finally
Output.Free;
end;
Result := MaxNum + 1;
end;
function TagExists(const ParaTagName: string; ParaRemoteExists: boolean): boolean;
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
Result := False;
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/tags/' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := True;
Exit;
end;
if ParaRemoteExists then
begin
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git ls-remote --tags origin "refs/tags/' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := vOutput.Text <> '';
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
function BranchExists(const ParaBranchName: string; ParaRemoteExists: boolean): boolean;
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
Result := False;
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/heads/' + ParaBranchName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := True;
Exit;
end;
if ParaRemoteExists then
begin
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/remotes/origin/' + ParaBranchName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := True;
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
var
vOldTagName, vDescription, vUserPrefix, vSlug, vNewBranchName, vFormatStr: string;
vNextNum, vBranchVersionDigits: Integer;
vOutput: TStringList;
vRemoteExists: Boolean;
begin
try
vBranchVersionDigits := GetBranchVersionDigits;
if ParamCount <> 2 then
begin
Writeln('Usage: git-back-to <tagname_of_old_commit> "<new_branch_description>"');
Writeln('Example: git-back-to merged/AI0001Contribution007-OldAPIDesign "Re-evaluate V1 API for performance"');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOldTagName := ParamStr(1);
vDescription := ParamStr(2);
vRemoteExists := RemoteOriginExists;
vUserPrefix := GetGitConfigValue('user.contributionPrefix');
if vUserPrefix = '' then
begin
vUserPrefix := GetGitConfigValue('user.name');
if vUserPrefix <> '' then
begin
vUserPrefix := TRegEx.Replace(vUserPrefix, '[^a-zA-Z0-9]', '');
end
else
begin
Writeln('Error: Git user.name or user.contributionPrefix not set.');
Writeln('Run: git config --global user.name "Your Name"');
Writeln('Or: git config --global user.contributionPrefix "YourPrefix"');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
end;
vSlug := Slugify(vDescription);
if vSlug = '' then
begin
Writeln('Error: Description resulted in empty slug.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
if not TagExists(vOldTagName, vRemoteExists) then
begin
Writeln('Error: Tag ''' + vOldTagName + ''' does not exist locally or remotely.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vNextNum := GetNextContributionNumber(vUserPrefix, vRemoteExists);
vFormatStr := Format('%%sContribution%%0.%dd-%%s', [vBranchVersionDigits]);
vNewBranchName := Format(vFormatStr, [vUserPrefix, vNextNum, vSlug]);
if BranchExists(vNewBranchName, vRemoteExists) then
begin
Writeln('Error: Branch ''' + vNewBranchName + ''' already exists.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
Writeln('Creating new branch ''' + vNewBranchName + ''' from tag ''' + vOldTagName + '''...');
if ExecuteCommand('git checkout -b "' + vNewBranchName + '" "' + vOldTagName + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Failed to create branch from tag.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
if vRemoteExists then
begin
Writeln('Pushing ''' + vNewBranchName + ''' to remote...');
if ExecuteCommand('git push -u origin "' + vNewBranchName + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Failed to push branch to origin.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
end;
Writeln('---');
Writeln('Calling git-set-active to mark as active...');
if ExecuteCommand('cmd.exe /c "' + ExtractFilePath(ParamStr(0)) + 'git-set-active.exe" ' + vNewBranchName, vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Warning: Could not mark branch active. Run manually: git-set-active ' + vNewBranchName);
end;
Writeln(vOutput.Text);
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
Writeln('');
Writeln('Branch ''' + vNewBranchName + ''' successfully created and activated from tag ''' + vOldTagName + '''.');
Writeln('To upgrade it against latest master, use: git-the-future');
except
on E: Exception do
begin
Writeln(E.ClassName, ': ', E.Message);
ExitCode := 1;
end;
end;
end.
Save program 2 as "git-new-contribution.dpr":
program git_new_contribution;
{
Skybuck's GitFlow
version 0.08 created on 29 august 2025 by Skybuck Flying and Gemini (AI) and Co-Pilot (AI).
credits:
Almost all code by Google Gemini 2.5 Pro.
GetBranchVersionDigits code by Microsoft Co-Pilot.
Software Idea and Prompting and Overwatching the AI: Skybuck Flying.
improvements for version 0.08:
+ local git support
+ better contribution number
Delphi code developed for Delphi 12.3 and Windows 11.
}
{$APPTYPE CONSOLE}
uses
System.SysUtils,
System.Classes,
System.RegularExpressions,
System.IOUtils,
Winapi.Windows,
ActiveX,
MSXML;
function ExecuteCommand( const ParaCommand : string; out ParaOutput : TStringList ) : Integer;
var
vSA : TSecurityAttributes;
vSI : TStartupInfo;
vPI : TProcessInformation;
vhRead, vhWrite : THandle;
vBuffer : array[0..255] of AnsiChar;
vBytesRead : DWord;
vCmd : string;
begin
ParaOutput := TStringList.Create;
Result := -1;
vSA.nLength := SizeOf(TSecurityAttributes);
vSA.bInheritHandle := True;
vSA.lpSecurityDescriptor := nil;
if not CreatePipe(vhRead, vhWrite, @vSA, 0) then
begin
Exit;
end;
FillChar(vSI, SizeOf(TStartupInfo), 0);
vSI.cb := SizeOf(TStartupInfo);
vSI.dwFlags := STARTF_USESTDHANDLES or STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW;
vSI.hStdInput := GetStdHandle(STD_INPUT_HANDLE);
vSI.hStdOutput := vhWrite;
vSI.hStdError := vhWrite;
vSI.wShowWindow := SW_HIDE;
vCmd := 'cmd.exe /C ' + ParaCommand;
if not CreateProcess(nil, PChar(vCmd), nil, nil, True, 0, nil, nil, vSI, vPI) then
begin
CloseHandle(vhRead);
CloseHandle(vhWrite);
Exit;
end;
CloseHandle(vhWrite);
while True do
begin
if not ReadFile(vhRead, vBuffer, SizeOf(vBuffer) - 1, vBytesRead, nil) or (vBytesRead = 0) then
begin
break;
end;
vBuffer[vBytesRead] := #0;
ParaOutput.Add(string(vBuffer));
end;
WaitForSingleObject(vPI.hProcess, INFINITE);
GetExitCodeProcess(vPI.hProcess, Cardinal(Result));
CloseHandle(vhRead);
CloseHandle(vPI.hProcess);
CloseHandle(vPI.hThread);
end;
function GetBranchVersionDigits: Integer;
var
XMLDoc: IXMLDOMDocument2;
Node: IXMLDOMNode;
ConfigPath: string;
CoInitResult: HRESULT;
begin
Result := 4; // Default value
ConfigPath := ExtractFilePath(ParamStr(0)) + 'SkybuckGitflow.cfg';
if FileExists(ConfigPath) then
begin
// Initialize COM for this thread
CoInitResult := CoInitialize(nil);
try
try
XMLDoc := CoDOMDocument60.Create;
if not Assigned(XMLDoc) then
begin
raise Exception.Create('Failed to create MSXML 6.0 document');
end;
XMLDoc.async := False;
if not XMLDoc.load(ConfigPath) then
begin
// Check for a parse error object before accessing its properties
if Assigned(XMLDoc.parseError) then
begin
raise Exception.Create('XML load failed: ' + XMLDoc.parseError.reason)
end
else
begin
raise Exception.Create('XML load failed with an unknown error.');
end;
end;
Node := XMLDoc.selectSingleNode('//BranchVersionDigits');
if Assigned(Node) then
begin
Result := Abs(StrToIntDef(Node.text, 4));
end;
except
on E: Exception do
begin
Writeln('Error processing config file: ', E.Message);
end;
end;
finally
// *** THE FIX IS HERE ***
// Release COM objects BEFORE CoUninitialize is called.
Node := nil;
XMLDoc := nil;
// Uninitialize COM only if it was successfully initialized on this call.
if SUCCEEDED(CoInitResult) then // Use SUCCEEDED for robustness
begin
CoUninitialize;
end;
end;
end;
end;
function RemoteOriginExists: boolean;
var
Output: TStringList;
begin
Output := TStringList.Create;
try
Result := ExecuteCommand('git remote get-url origin > NUL 2>&1', Output) = 0;
finally
Output.Free;
end;
end;
function GetGitConfigValue( const ParaConfigKey : string ) : string;
var
vOutput : TStringList;
begin
Result := '';
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git config ' + ParaConfigKey, vOutput) = 0 then
begin
if vOutput.Count > 0 then
begin
Result := Trim(vOutput.Text);
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
function Slugify( const ParaInput : string ) : string;
begin
Result := ParaInput.ToLower;
Result := TRegEx.Replace(Result, '[^a-z0-9]+', '-');
Result := TRegEx.Replace(Result, '^-+|-+$', '');
if Length(Result) > 50 then
begin
Result := Copy(Result, 1, 50);
end;
end;
function GetNextContributionNumber( const ParaUserPrefix : string; ParaRemoteExists: boolean ) : Integer;
var
vOutput : TStringList;
vMaxNum : Integer;
vMatch : TMatch;
vNum : Integer;
vS, vRefs: string;
vRegex: TRegEx;
begin
vMaxNum := 0;
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ParaRemoteExists then
begin
ExecuteCommand('git fetch origin --prune', vOutput); // Sync with remote
vOutput.Clear;
vRefs := 'refs/heads refs/remotes/origin';
end
else
begin
vRefs := 'refs/heads';
end;
if ExecuteCommand('git for-each-ref --format="%(refname:short)" ' + vRefs, vOutput) = 0 then
begin
vS := vOutput.Text;
vRegex := TRegEx.Create('^' + ParaUserPrefix + 'Contribution(\d+)-', [roMultiLine]);
for vMatch in vRegex.Matches(vS) do
begin
if vMatch.Success then
begin
vNum := StrToIntDef(vMatch.Groups[1].Value, 0);
if vNum > vMaxNum then
begin
vMaxNum := vNum;
end;
end;
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
Result := vMaxNum + 1;
end;
var
vUserPrefix, vDescription, vSlug, vNewBranchName, vFormatStr : string;
vNextNum, vBranchVersionDigits : Integer;
vOutput : TStringList;
vRemoteExists: Boolean;
begin
try
vBranchVersionDigits := GetBranchVersionDigits;
if ParamCount = 1 then
begin
vDescription := ParamStr(1);
vUserPrefix := '';
end
else if ParamCount >= 2 then
begin
vUserPrefix := ParamStr(1);
vDescription := ParamStr(2);
end
else
begin
Writeln('Usage: git-new-contribution [<UserPrefix>] "<Description/Goal...>"');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
if vUserPrefix = '' then
begin
vUserPrefix := GetGitConfigValue('user.contributionPrefix');
if vUserPrefix = '' then
begin
vUserPrefix := GetGitConfigValue('user.name');
if vUserPrefix <> '' then
begin
vUserPrefix := TRegEx.Replace(vUserPrefix, '[^a-zA-Z0-9]', '');
end
else
begin
Writeln('Error: User prefix not provided and not found in git config.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
end;
end;
vSlug := Slugify(vDescription);
if vSlug = '' then
begin
Writeln('Error: Description resulted in empty slug.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
vRemoteExists := RemoteOriginExists;
Writeln('Switching to master branch...');
if ExecuteCommand('git checkout master', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Failed to checkout master.');
Writeln(vOutput.Text);
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
if vRemoteExists then
begin
Writeln('Fetching latest master...');
if ExecuteCommand('git pull origin master', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Warning: Failed to pull latest master. Proceeding with local master.');
Writeln(vOutput.Text);
end;
vOutput.Clear;
end;
vNextNum := GetNextContributionNumber(vUserPrefix, vRemoteExists);
vFormatStr := Format('%%sContribution%%0.%dd-%%s', [vBranchVersionDigits]);
vNewBranchName := Format(vFormatStr, [vUserPrefix, vNextNum, vSlug]);
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify refs/heads/' + vNewBranchName, vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Local branch already exists.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
Writeln('Creating new branch: ' + vNewBranchName);
if ExecuteCommand('git checkout -b ' + vNewBranchName + ' master', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Failed to create local branch.');
Writeln(vOutput.Text);
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
if vRemoteExists then
begin
Writeln('Pushing new branch to origin...');
if ExecuteCommand('git push -u origin ' + vNewBranchName, vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Failed to push new branch.');
Writeln(vOutput.Text);
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
end;
if ExecuteCommand('cmd.exe /c "' + ExtractFilePath(ParamStr(0)) + 'git-set-active.exe" ' + vNewBranchName, vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Warning: Failed to mark branch active.');
Writeln(vOutput.Text);
end;
vOutput.Clear;
Writeln('');
Writeln('Successfully created and activated new contribution branch:');
Writeln('-> **' + vNewBranchName + '**');
Writeln('You are now on this branch. Start coding!');
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
except
on E : Exception do
begin
Writeln(E.ClassName, ': ', E.Message);
ExitCode := 1;
end;
end;
end.
Save program 3 as "git-set-active.dpr":
program git_set_active;
{
Skybuck's GitFlow
version 0.08 created on 29 august 2025 by Skybuck Flying and Gemini (AI) and Co-Pilot (AI).
credits:
Almost all code by Google Gemini 2.5 Pro.
GetBranchVersionDigits code by Microsoft Co-Pilot.
Software Idea and Prompting and Overwatching the AI: Skybuck Flying.
improvements for version 0.08:
+ local git support
+ better contribution number
Delphi code developed for Delphi 12.3 and Windows 11.
}
{$APPTYPE CONSOLE}
uses
System.SysUtils,
System.Classes,
System.IOUtils,
Winapi.Windows;
function ExecuteCommand(const Command: string; out Output: TStringList): Integer;
var
SA: TSecurityAttributes;
SI: TStartupInfo;
PI: TProcessInformation;
hRead, hWrite: THandle;
Buffer: array[0..1023] of AnsiChar;
BytesRead: DWord;
Cmd: string;
FullOutput: AnsiString;
begin
Output := TStringList.Create;
Result := -1;
FullOutput := '';
SA.nLength := SizeOf(TSecurityAttributes);
SA.bInheritHandle := True;
SA.lpSecurityDescriptor := nil;
if not CreatePipe(hRead, hWrite, @SA, 0) then
begin
Exit;
end;
try
FillChar(SI, SizeOf(TStartupInfo), 0);
SI.cb := SizeOf(TStartupInfo);
SI.dwFlags := STARTF_USESTDHANDLES or STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW;
SI.hStdInput := GetStdHandle(STD_INPUT_HANDLE);
SI.hStdOutput := hWrite;
SI.hStdError := hWrite;
SI.wShowWindow := SW_HIDE;
Cmd := 'cmd.exe /C ' + Command;
if not CreateProcess(nil, PChar(Cmd), nil, nil, True, 0, nil, nil, SI, PI) then
begin
Exit;
end;
CloseHandle(hWrite);
try
while True do
begin
if not ReadFile(hRead, Buffer, SizeOf(Buffer) - 1, BytesRead, nil) or (BytesRead = 0) then
begin
break;
end;
Buffer[BytesRead] := #0;
FullOutput := FullOutput + AnsiString(Buffer);
end;
WaitForSingleObject(PI.hProcess, INFINITE);
GetExitCodeProcess(PI.hProcess, Cardinal(Result));
finally
CloseHandle(PI.hProcess);
CloseHandle(PI.hThread);
end;
finally
CloseHandle(hRead);
end;
Output.Text := string(FullOutput);
end;
function RemoteOriginExists: boolean;
var
Output: TStringList;
begin
Output := TStringList.Create;
try
Result := ExecuteCommand('git remote get-url origin > NUL 2>&1', Output) = 0;
finally
Output.Free;
end;
end;
function BranchExists(const ParaBranchName: string; ParaRemoteExists: boolean): boolean;
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
Result := False;
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/heads/' + ParaBranchName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := True;
Exit;
end;
if ParaRemoteExists then
begin
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/remotes/origin/' + ParaBranchName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := True;
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
function GetBranchHash(const ParaBranchName: string; ParaRemoteExists: boolean): string;
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
Result := '';
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ParaRemoteExists then
begin
if ExecuteCommand('git rev-parse "refs/remotes/origin/' + ParaBranchName + '^{commit}"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := Trim(vOutput.Text);
if Result <> '' then
begin
Exit;
end;
end;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git rev-parse "refs/heads/' + ParaBranchName + '^{commit}"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := Trim(vOutput.Text);
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
procedure DeleteTagIfExists(const ParaTagName: string; ParaRemoteExists: boolean);
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/tags/' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Writeln('Removing existing local tag: ' + ParaTagName + '...');
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git tag -d "' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Warning: Failed to delete local tag ' + ParaTagName + '.');
end;
end;
if ParaRemoteExists then
begin
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git ls-remote --tags origin "refs/tags/' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
if vOutput.Text <> '' then
begin
Writeln('Removing existing remote tag: ' + ParaTagName + '...');
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git push origin --delete "' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Warning: Failed to delete remote tag ' + ParaTagName + '.');
end;
end;
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
var
vBranchName, vActiveTag, vBranchHash: string;
vOutput: TStringList;
vRemoteExists: Boolean;
begin
try
if ParamCount <> 1 then
begin
Writeln('Usage: git-set-active <branchname>');
Writeln('Example: git-set-active SkybuckContribution001-ImplementLogin');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vBranchName := ParamStr(1);
vActiveTag := 'active/' + vBranchName;
vRemoteExists := RemoteOriginExists;
if not BranchExists(vBranchName, vRemoteExists) then
begin
Writeln('Error: Branch ''' + vBranchName + ''' not found locally or remotely.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vBranchHash := GetBranchHash(vBranchName, vRemoteExists);
if vBranchHash = '' then
begin
Writeln('Error: Unable to determine commit hash for branch ''' + vBranchName + '''.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
DeleteTagIfExists('merged/' + vBranchName, vRemoteExists);
DeleteTagIfExists('rejected/' + vBranchName, vRemoteExists);
Writeln('Creating active tag: ' + vActiveTag);
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git tag -f "' + vActiveTag + '" "' + vBranchHash + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Failed to create tag ' + vActiveTag);
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
if vRemoteExists then
begin
Writeln('Pushing active tag to origin...');
if ExecuteCommand('git push -f origin "' + vActiveTag + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Failed to push tag ' + vActiveTag + ' to origin');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
Writeln('');
Writeln('Branch ' + vBranchName + ' is now marked as ACTIVE.');
Writeln('To view active branches: git tag --list "active/*"');
except
on E: Exception do
begin
Writeln(E.ClassName, ': ', E.Message);
ExitCode := 1;
end;
end;
end.
Save program 4 as "git-set-merged.dpr":
program git_set_merged;
{
Skybuck's GitFlow
version 0.08 created on 29 august 2025 by Skybuck Flying and Gemini (AI) and Co-Pilot (AI).
credits:
Almost all code by Google Gemini 2.5 Pro.
GetBranchVersionDigits code by Microsoft Co-Pilot.
Software Idea and Prompting and Overwatching the AI: Skybuck Flying.
improvements for version 0.08:
+ local git support
+ better contribution number
Delphi code developed for Delphi 12.3 and Windows 11.
}
{$APPTYPE CONSOLE}
uses
System.SysUtils,
System.Classes,
System.IOUtils,
Winapi.Windows;
function ExecuteCommand(const Command: string; out Output: TStringList): Integer;
var
SA: TSecurityAttributes;
SI: TStartupInfo;
PI: TProcessInformation;
hRead, hWrite: THandle;
Buffer: array[0..1023] of AnsiChar;
BytesRead: DWord;
Cmd: string;
FullOutput: AnsiString;
begin
Output := TStringList.Create;
Result := -1;
FullOutput := '';
SA.nLength := SizeOf(TSecurityAttributes);
SA.bInheritHandle := True;
SA.lpSecurityDescriptor := nil;
if not CreatePipe(hRead, hWrite, @SA, 0) then
begin
Exit;
end;
try
FillChar(SI, SizeOf(TStartupInfo), 0);
SI.cb := SizeOf(TStartupInfo);
SI.dwFlags := STARTF_USESTDHANDLES or STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW;
SI.hStdInput := GetStdHandle(STD_INPUT_HANDLE);
SI.hStdOutput := hWrite;
SI.hStdError := hWrite;
SI.wShowWindow := SW_HIDE;
Cmd := 'cmd.exe /C ' + Command;
if not CreateProcess(nil, PChar(Cmd), nil, nil, True, 0, nil, nil, SI, PI) then
begin
Exit;
end;
CloseHandle(hWrite);
try
while True do
begin
if not ReadFile(hRead, Buffer, SizeOf(Buffer) - 1, BytesRead, nil) or (BytesRead = 0) then
begin
break;
end;
Buffer[BytesRead] := #0;
FullOutput := FullOutput + AnsiString(Buffer);
end;
WaitForSingleObject(PI.hProcess, INFINITE);
GetExitCodeProcess(PI.hProcess, Cardinal(Result));
finally
CloseHandle(PI.hProcess);
CloseHandle(PI.hThread);
end;
finally
CloseHandle(hRead);
end;
Output.Text := string(FullOutput);
end;
function RemoteOriginExists: boolean;
var
Output: TStringList;
begin
Output := TStringList.Create;
try
Result := ExecuteCommand('git remote get-url origin > NUL 2>&1', Output) = 0;
finally
Output.Free;
end;
end;
function BranchExists(const ParaBranchName: string; ParaRemoteExists: boolean): boolean;
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
Result := False;
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/heads/' + ParaBranchName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := True;
Exit;
end;
if ParaRemoteExists then
begin
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/remotes/origin/' + ParaBranchName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := True;
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
function GetBranchHash(const ParaBranchName: string; ParaRemoteExists: boolean): string;
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
Result := '';
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ParaRemoteExists then
begin
if ExecuteCommand('git rev-parse "refs/remotes/origin/' + ParaBranchName + '^{commit}"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := Trim(vOutput.Text);
if Result <> '' then
begin
Exit;
end;
end;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git rev-parse "refs/heads/' + ParaBranchName + '^{commit}"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := Trim(vOutput.Text);
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
procedure DeleteTagIfExists(const ParaTagName: string; ParaRemoteExists: boolean);
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/tags/' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Writeln('Removing existing local tag: ' + ParaTagName + '...');
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git tag -d "' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Warning: Failed to delete local tag ' + ParaTagName + '.');
end;
end;
if ParaRemoteExists then
begin
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git ls-remote --tags origin "refs/tags/' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
if vOutput.Text <> '' then
begin
Writeln('Removing existing remote tag: ' + ParaTagName + '...');
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git push origin --delete "' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Warning: Failed to delete remote tag ' + ParaTagName + '.');
end;
end;
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
var
vBranchName, vMergedTag, vBranchHash: string;
vOutput: TStringList;
vRemoteExists: Boolean;
begin
try
if ParamCount <> 1 then
begin
Writeln('Usage: git-set-merged <branchname>');
Writeln('Example: git-set-merged SkybuckContribution001-MyFeature');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vBranchName := ParamStr(1);
vMergedTag := 'merged/' + vBranchName;
vRemoteExists := RemoteOriginExists;
if not BranchExists(vBranchName, vRemoteExists) then
begin
Writeln('Error: Branch ''' + vBranchName + ''' does not exist locally or remotely.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vBranchHash := GetBranchHash(vBranchName, vRemoteExists);
if vBranchHash = '' then
begin
Writeln('Error: Unable to determine commit hash for branch ''' + vBranchName + '''.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
DeleteTagIfExists('active/' + vBranchName, vRemoteExists);
DeleteTagIfExists('rejected/' + vBranchName, vRemoteExists);
Writeln('Creating merged tag: ' + vMergedTag);
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git tag -f "' + vMergedTag + '" "' + vBranchHash + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Failed to create tag ' + vMergedTag + '.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
if vRemoteExists then
begin
Writeln('Pushing merged tag to origin...');
if ExecuteCommand('git push -f origin "' + vMergedTag + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Failed to push tag ' + vMergedTag + ' to origin.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
Writeln('');
Writeln('Branch ' + vBranchName + ' successfully marked as MERGED.');
Writeln('It remains in your repository history.');
except
on E: Exception do
begin
Writeln(E.ClassName, ': ', E.Message);
ExitCode := 1;
end;
end;
end.
Save program 5 as "git-set-rejected.dpr":
program git_set_rejected;
{
Skybuck's GitFlow
version 0.08 created on 29 august 2025 by Skybuck Flying and Gemini (AI) and Co-Pilot (AI).
credits:
Almost all code by Google Gemini 2.5 Pro.
GetBranchVersionDigits code by Microsoft Co-Pilot.
Software Idea and Prompting and Overwatching the AI: Skybuck Flying.
improvements for version 0.08:
+ local git support
+ better contribution number
Delphi code developed for Delphi 12.3 and Windows 11.
}
{$APPTYPE CONSOLE}
uses
System.SysUtils,
System.Classes,
System.IOUtils,
Winapi.Windows;
function ExecuteCommand(const Command: string; out Output: TStringList): Integer;
var
SA: TSecurityAttributes;
SI: TStartupInfo;
PI: TProcessInformation;
hRead, hWrite: THandle;
Buffer: array[0..1023] of AnsiChar;
BytesRead: DWord;
Cmd: string;
FullOutput: AnsiString;
begin
Output := TStringList.Create;
Result := -1;
FullOutput := '';
SA.nLength := SizeOf(TSecurityAttributes);
SA.bInheritHandle := True;
SA.lpSecurityDescriptor := nil;
if not CreatePipe(hRead, hWrite, @SA, 0) then
begin
Exit;
end;
try
FillChar(SI, SizeOf(TStartupInfo), 0);
SI.cb := SizeOf(TStartupInfo);
SI.dwFlags := STARTF_USESTDHANDLES or STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW;
SI.hStdInput := GetStdHandle(STD_INPUT_HANDLE);
SI.hStdOutput := hWrite;
SI.hStdError := hWrite;
SI.wShowWindow := SW_HIDE;
Cmd := 'cmd.exe /C ' + Command;
if not CreateProcess(nil, PChar(Cmd), nil, nil, True, 0, nil, nil, SI, PI) then
begin
Exit;
end;
CloseHandle(hWrite);
try
while True do
begin
if not ReadFile(hRead, Buffer, SizeOf(Buffer) - 1, BytesRead, nil) or (BytesRead = 0) then
begin
break;
end;
Buffer[BytesRead] := #0;
FullOutput := FullOutput + AnsiString(Buffer);
end;
WaitForSingleObject(PI.hProcess, INFINITE);
GetExitCodeProcess(PI.hProcess, Cardinal(Result));
finally
CloseHandle(PI.hProcess);
CloseHandle(PI.hThread);
end;
finally
CloseHandle(hRead);
end;
Output.Text := string(FullOutput);
end;
function RemoteOriginExists: boolean;
var
Output: TStringList;
begin
Output := TStringList.Create;
try
Result := ExecuteCommand('git remote get-url origin > NUL 2>&1', Output) = 0;
finally
Output.Free;
end;
end;
function BranchExists(const ParaBranchName: string; ParaRemoteExists: boolean): boolean;
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
Result := False;
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/heads/' + ParaBranchName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := True;
Exit;
end;
if ParaRemoteExists then
begin
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/remotes/origin/' + ParaBranchName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := True;
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
function GetBranchHash(const ParaBranchName: string; ParaRemoteExists: boolean): string;
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
Result := '';
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ParaRemoteExists then
begin
if ExecuteCommand('git rev-parse "refs/remotes/origin/' + ParaBranchName + '^{commit}"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := Trim(vOutput.Text);
if Result <> '' then
begin
Exit;
end;
end;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git rev-parse "refs/heads/' + ParaBranchName + '^{commit}"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := Trim(vOutput.Text);
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
procedure DeleteTagIfExists(const ParaTagName: string; ParaRemoteExists: boolean);
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/tags/' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Writeln('Removing existing local tag: ' + ParaTagName + '...');
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git tag -d "' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Warning: Failed to delete local tag ' + ParaTagName + '.');
end;
end;
if ParaRemoteExists then
begin
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git ls-remote --tags origin "refs/tags/' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
if vOutput.Text <> '' then
begin
Writeln('Removing existing remote tag: ' + ParaTagName + '...');
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git push origin --delete "' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Warning: Failed to delete remote tag ' + ParaTagName + '.');
end;
end;
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
var
vBranchName, vRejectedTag, vBranchHash: string;
vOutput: TStringList;
vRemoteExists: Boolean;
begin
try
if ParamCount <> 1 then
begin
Writeln('Usage: git-set-rejected <branchname>');
Writeln('Example: git-set-rejected AI0001Contribution002-ExperimentalAlgorithm');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vBranchName := ParamStr(1);
vRejectedTag := 'rejected/' + vBranchName;
vRemoteExists := RemoteOriginExists;
if not BranchExists(vBranchName, vRemoteExists) then
begin
Writeln('Error: Branch ''' + vBranchName + ''' does not exist locally or remotely.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vBranchHash := GetBranchHash(vBranchName, vRemoteExists);
if vBranchHash = '' then
begin
Writeln('Error: Could not determine commit hash for branch ''' + vBranchName + '''.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
DeleteTagIfExists('active/' + vBranchName, vRemoteExists);
DeleteTagIfExists('merged/' + vBranchName, vRemoteExists);
Writeln('Creating rejected tag: ' + vRejectedTag);
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git tag -f "' + vRejectedTag + '" "' + vBranchHash + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Could not create tag ''' + vRejectedTag + '''');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
if vRemoteExists then
begin
Writeln('Pushing rejected tag to origin...');
if ExecuteCommand('git push -f origin "' + vRejectedTag + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Could not push tag ''' + vRejectedTag + ''' to origin');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
Writeln('');
Writeln('Branch ' + vBranchName + ' marked as REJECTED.');
Writeln('Tag ''' + vRejectedTag + ''' added for reference.');
except
on E: Exception do
begin
Writeln(E.ClassName, ': ', E.Message);
ExitCode := 1;
end;
end;
end.
Save program 6 as "git-set-revive.dpr":
program git_set_revive;
{
Skybuck's GitFlow
version 0.08 created on 29 august 2025 by Skybuck Flying and Gemini (AI) and Co-Pilot (AI).
credits:
Almost all code by Google Gemini 2.5 Pro.
GetBranchVersionDigits code by Microsoft Co-Pilot.
Software Idea and Prompting and Overwatching the AI: Skybuck Flying.
improvements for version 0.08:
+ local git support
+ better contribution number
Delphi code developed for Delphi 12.3 and Windows 11.
}
{$APPTYPE CONSOLE}
uses
System.SysUtils,
System.Classes,
System.IOUtils,
Winapi.Windows;
function ExecuteCommand(const Command: string; out Output: TStringList): Integer;
var
SA: TSecurityAttributes;
SI: TStartupInfo;
PI: TProcessInformation;
hRead, hWrite: THandle;
Buffer: array[0..1023] of AnsiChar;
BytesRead: DWord;
Cmd: string;
FullOutput: AnsiString;
begin
Output := TStringList.Create;
Result := -1;
FullOutput := '';
SA.nLength := SizeOf(TSecurityAttributes);
SA.bInheritHandle := True;
SA.lpSecurityDescriptor := nil;
if not CreatePipe(hRead, hWrite, @SA, 0) then
begin
Exit;
end;
try
FillChar(SI, SizeOf(TStartupInfo), 0);
SI.cb := SizeOf(TStartupInfo);
SI.dwFlags := STARTF_USESTDHANDLES or STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW;
SI.hStdInput := GetStdHandle(STD_INPUT_HANDLE);
SI.hStdOutput := hWrite;
SI.hStdError := hWrite;
SI.wShowWindow := SW_HIDE;
Cmd := 'cmd.exe /C ' + Command;
if not CreateProcess(nil, PChar(Cmd), nil, nil, True, 0, nil, nil, SI, PI) then
begin
Exit;
end;
CloseHandle(hWrite);
try
while True do
begin
if not ReadFile(hRead, Buffer, SizeOf(Buffer) - 1, BytesRead, nil) or (BytesRead = 0) then
begin
break;
end;
Buffer[BytesRead] := #0;
FullOutput := FullOutput + AnsiString(Buffer);
end;
WaitForSingleObject(PI.hProcess, INFINITE);
GetExitCodeProcess(PI.hProcess, Cardinal(Result));
finally
CloseHandle(PI.hProcess);
CloseHandle(PI.hThread);
end;
finally
CloseHandle(hRead);
end;
Output.Text := string(FullOutput);
end;
function RemoteOriginExists: boolean;
var
Output: TStringList;
begin
Output := TStringList.Create;
try
Result := ExecuteCommand('git remote get-url origin > NUL 2>&1', Output) = 0;
finally
Output.Free;
end;
end;
function BranchExists(const ParaBranchName: string; ParaRemoteExists: boolean): boolean;
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
Result := False;
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/heads/' + ParaBranchName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := True;
Exit;
end;
if ParaRemoteExists then
begin
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/remotes/origin/' + ParaBranchName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := True;
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
function HasTag(const ParaTagName: string; ParaRemoteExists: boolean): boolean;
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
Result := False;
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/tags/' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := True;
Exit;
end;
if ParaRemoteExists then
begin
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git ls-remote --tags origin "refs/tags/' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := vOutput.Text <> '';
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
procedure DeleteTagIfExists(const ParaTagName: string; ParaRemoteExists: boolean);
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git show-ref --verify "refs/tags/' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Writeln('Removing existing local tag: ' + ParaTagName + '...');
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git tag -d "' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Warning: Failed to delete local tag ' + ParaTagName + '.');
end;
end;
if ParaRemoteExists then
begin
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git ls-remote --tags origin "refs/tags/' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
if vOutput.Text <> '' then
begin
Writeln('Removing existing remote tag: ' + ParaTagName + '...');
vOutput.Clear;
if ExecuteCommand('git push origin --delete "' + ParaTagName + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Warning: Failed to delete remote tag ' + ParaTagName + '.');
end;
end;
end;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
var
vBranchName: string;
vHasTag: boolean;
vOutput: TStringList;
vRemoteExists: Boolean;
begin
try
if ParamCount <> 1 then
begin
Writeln('Usage: git-set-revive <branchname>');
Writeln('Example: git-set-revive SkybuckContribution005-BugfixRethink');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vBranchName := ParamStr(1);
vRemoteExists := RemoteOriginExists;
if not BranchExists(vBranchName, vRemoteExists) then
begin
Writeln('Error: Branch ''' + vBranchName + ''' not found locally or remotely.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vHasTag := HasTag('merged/' + vBranchName, vRemoteExists) or HasTag('rejected/' + vBranchName, vRemoteExists);
if not vHasTag then
begin
Writeln('Error: Branch ''' + vBranchName + ''' is not marked as merged or rejected.');
Writeln('If it''s active, run: git-set-active ' + vBranchName);
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
Writeln('Attempting to revive branch ''' + vBranchName + '''...');
DeleteTagIfExists('merged/' + vBranchName, vRemoteExists);
DeleteTagIfExists('rejected/' + vBranchName, vRemoteExists);
Writeln('---');
Writeln('Calling git-set-active to apply active tag...');
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('cmd.exe /c "' + ExtractFilePath(ParamStr(0)) + 'git-set-active.exe" ' + vBranchName, vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln(vOutput.Text);
Writeln('Error: git-set-active failed. Try running manually: git-set-active ' + vBranchName);
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
Writeln(vOutput.Text);
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
Writeln('');
Writeln('Branch ' + vBranchName + ' successfully REVIVED and marked as ACTIVE.');
Writeln('This does not rebase history onto master.');
Writeln('To switch to it: git checkout ' + vBranchName);
except
on E: Exception do
begin
Writeln(E.ClassName, ': ', E.Message);
ExitCode := 1;
end;
end;
end.
Save program 7 as "git-the-future.dpr":
program git_the_future;
{
Skybuck's GitFlow
version 0.08 created on 29 august 2025 by Skybuck Flying and Gemini (AI) and Co-Pilot (AI).
credits:
Almost all code by Google Gemini 2.5 Pro.
GetBranchVersionDigits code by Microsoft Co-Pilot.
Software Idea and Prompting and Overwatching the AI: Skybuck Flying.
improvements for version 0.08:
+ local git support
+ better contribution number
Delphi code developed for Delphi 12.3 and Windows 11.
}
{$APPTYPE CONSOLE}
uses
System.SysUtils,
System.Classes,
System.IOUtils,
Winapi.Windows;
function ExecuteCommand(const Command: string; out Output: TStringList; PassThrough: Boolean = False): Integer;
var
SA: TSecurityAttributes;
SI: TStartupInfo;
PI: TProcessInformation;
hRead, hWrite: THandle;
Buffer: array[0..1023] of AnsiChar;
BytesRead: DWord;
Cmd: string;
FullOutput: AnsiString;
StdOut, StdErr: THandle;
begin
Output := TStringList.Create;
Result := -1;
FullOutput := '';
SA.nLength := SizeOf(TSecurityAttributes);
SA.bInheritHandle := True;
SA.lpSecurityDescriptor := nil;
if not CreatePipe(hRead, hWrite, @SA, 0) then
begin
Exit;
end;
try
FillChar(SI, SizeOf(TStartupInfo), 0);
SI.cb := SizeOf(TStartupInfo);
if PassThrough then
begin
StdOut := GetStdHandle(STD_OUTPUT_HANDLE);
StdErr := GetStdHandle(STD_ERROR_HANDLE);
SI.dwFlags := STARTF_USESTDHANDLES;
SI.hStdInput := GetStdHandle(STD_INPUT_HANDLE);
SI.hStdOutput := StdOut;
SI.hStdError := StdErr;
end
else
begin
SI.dwFlags := STARTF_USESTDHANDLES or STARTF_USESHOWWINDOW;
SI.hStdInput := GetStdHandle(STD_INPUT_HANDLE);
SI.hStdOutput := hWrite;
SI.hStdError := hWrite;
SI.wShowWindow := SW_HIDE;
end;
Cmd := 'cmd.exe /C ' + Command;
if not CreateProcess(nil, PChar(Cmd), nil, nil, True, 0, nil, nil, SI, PI) then
begin
Exit;
end;
if not PassThrough then
begin
CloseHandle(hWrite);
end;
try
if not PassThrough then
begin
while True do
begin
if not ReadFile(hRead, Buffer, SizeOf(Buffer) - 1, BytesRead, nil) or (BytesRead = 0) then
begin
break;
end;
Buffer[BytesRead] := #0;
FullOutput := FullOutput + AnsiString(Buffer);
end;
end;
WaitForSingleObject(PI.hProcess, INFINITE);
GetExitCodeProcess(PI.hProcess, Cardinal(Result));
finally
CloseHandle(PI.hProcess);
CloseHandle(PI.hThread);
end;
finally
if not PassThrough then
begin
CloseHandle(hRead);
end;
end;
Output.Text := string(FullOutput);
end;
function RemoteOriginExists: boolean;
var
Output: TStringList;
begin
Output := TStringList.Create;
try
Result := ExecuteCommand('git remote get-url origin > NUL 2>&1', Output) = 0;
finally
Output.Free;
end;
end;
function GetCurrentBranch: string;
var
vOutput: TStringList;
begin
Result := '';
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
if ExecuteCommand('git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD', vOutput) = 0 then
begin
Result := Trim(vOutput.Text);
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
end;
var
vCurrentBranch: string;
vRebaseStatus: Integer;
vOutput: TStringList;
vRemoteExists: Boolean;
begin
try
vCurrentBranch := GetCurrentBranch;
if (vCurrentBranch = '') or (vCurrentBranch = 'HEAD') then
begin
Writeln('Error: You are not on a branch (detached HEAD). Checkout a branch first.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
if vCurrentBranch.ToLower = 'master' then
begin
Writeln('Error: You''re on ''master''. This command is meant for feature branches.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
Writeln('Preparing to rebase branch ''' + vCurrentBranch + ''' onto latest ''master''...');
vOutput := TStringList.Create;
try
vRemoteExists := RemoteOriginExists;
Writeln('Updating ''master''...');
if ExecuteCommand('git checkout master', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Could not checkout master.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
if vRemoteExists then
begin
if ExecuteCommand('git pull origin master', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Warning: Could not pull from origin master. Continuing with local master.');
end;
vOutput.Clear;
end;
if ExecuteCommand('git checkout "' + vCurrentBranch + '"', vOutput) <> 0 then
begin
Writeln('Error: Could not checkout back to ''' + vCurrentBranch + '''.');
ExitCode := 1;
Exit;
end;
vOutput.Clear;
Writeln('');
Writeln('Starting rebase of ''' + vCurrentBranch + ''' onto ''master''...');
Writeln('----------------------------------------');
vRebaseStatus := ExecuteCommand('git rebase master', vOutput, True);
if vRebaseStatus = 0 then
begin
Writeln('----------------------------------------');
Writeln('Rebase completed successfully!');
Writeln('Your branch ''' + vCurrentBranch + ''' is now on top of master.');
if vRemoteExists then
begin
Writeln('To update remote:');
Writeln(' git push --force-with-lease origin ' + vCurrentBranch);
end;
end
else if vRebaseStatus = 1 then
begin
Writeln('----------------------------------------');
Writeln('Rebase paused due to conflicts.');
Writeln('Resolve conflicts manually, then run:');
Writeln(' git add .');
Writeln(' git rebase --continue');
Writeln('Or to abort:');
Writeln(' git rebase --abort');
ExitCode := 1;
end
else
begin
Writeln('----------------------------------------');
Writeln('Rebase failed with unexpected exit code: ' + IntToStr(vRebaseStatus));
ExitCode := 1;
end;
finally
vOutput.Free;
end;
except
on E: Exception do
begin
Writeln(E.ClassName, ': ', E.Message);
ExitCode := 1;
end;
end;
end.
Testing:
git-new-contribution has been tested and works ok.
git-set-active.exe is used by git-new-contribution seems to work ok.
The rest of the programs still need to be tested more rigorously/better, for now posting this update so it's more workable and testable (locally).
Bye for now,
Skybuck Flying.
^ permalink raw reply [flat|nested] 14+ messages in thread
* Re: Was "Re: [RFC] Proposed Git Workflow for Permanent History, Explicit Branch Status, and Developer Continuity" now "Skybuck's GitFlow"
2025-08-29 19:42 ` Was "Re: [RFC] Proposed Git Workflow for Permanent History, Explicit Branch Status, and Developer Continuity" now "Skybuck's GitFlow" Skybuck Flying
@ 2025-08-29 20:11 ` Skybuck Flying
2025-08-31 21:43 ` Skybuck Flying
0 siblings, 1 reply; 14+ messages in thread
From: Skybuck Flying @ 2025-08-29 20:11 UTC (permalink / raw)
To: git@vger.kernel.org
Hello List,
Little usage notice:
The number of digits for contribution version number can be specified/changed
by creating an xml file as follows:
Create a file with filename: SkybuckGitFlow.cfg
Put the following contents inside of it:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<SkybuckGitFlow>
<BranchVersionDigits>4</BranchVersionDigits>
</SkybuckGitFlow>
The number 4 can be changed to any other number of digits.
(GitHub supports branch names up to 255 bytes so beware).
(The tools will look for this cfg in their current folder and use it, if it's not
there then it will default to 4 digits for contribution version number).
(
Even after the number of digits has been changed the software
will do it's best to increment the version number,
this may or may not be desireable,
so you may want to configure it first ;)
)
Bye for now,
Skybuck Flying.
^ permalink raw reply [flat|nested] 14+ messages in thread
* Re: Was "Re: [RFC] Proposed Git Workflow for Permanent History, Explicit Branch Status, and Developer Continuity" now "Skybuck's GitFlow"
2025-08-29 20:11 ` Skybuck Flying
@ 2025-08-31 21:43 ` Skybuck Flying
2025-08-31 22:23 ` Skybuck Flying
2025-09-01 13:58 ` Haridas Mahato
0 siblings, 2 replies; 14+ messages in thread
From: Skybuck Flying @ 2025-08-31 21:43 UTC (permalink / raw)
To: git@vger.kernel.org
Little bug fix is possible:
Copy & Paste the procedure GetNextContributionNumber from git-new-contribution.dpr to git-back-to.dpr to make git-base-to use a correctly incremented contribution number.
Bye for now,
Skybuck.
^ permalink raw reply [flat|nested] 14+ messages in thread
* Re: Was "Re: [RFC] Proposed Git Workflow for Permanent History, Explicit Branch Status, and Developer Continuity" now "Skybuck's GitFlow"
2025-08-31 21:43 ` Skybuck Flying
@ 2025-08-31 22:23 ` Skybuck Flying
2025-09-01 13:58 ` Haridas Mahato
1 sibling, 0 replies; 14+ messages in thread
From: Skybuck Flying @ 2025-08-31 22:23 UTC (permalink / raw)
To: git@vger.kernel.org
GitHub repo created to make it a little bit easier to get the source code and also some win32 binaries:
https://github.com/SkybuckFlying/Skybuck-s-Gitflow
It also contains some Skybuck's Gitflow v4 text and same text in README.md updated to use git-command-etc.exe so AI can understand it better.
Bye for now,
Skybuck.
^ permalink raw reply [flat|nested] 14+ messages in thread
* Re: Was "Re: [RFC] Proposed Git Workflow for Permanent History, Explicit Branch Status, and Developer Continuity" now "Skybuck's GitFlow"
2025-08-31 21:43 ` Skybuck Flying
2025-08-31 22:23 ` Skybuck Flying
@ 2025-09-01 13:58 ` Haridas Mahato
2025-09-05 8:31 ` Skybuck Flying
1 sibling, 1 reply; 14+ messages in thread
From: Haridas Mahato @ 2025-09-01 13:58 UTC (permalink / raw)
To: Skybuck Flying, git@vger.kernel.org
On Sun Aug 31, 2025 at 9:43 PM UTC, Skybuck Flying wrote:
> Little bug fix is possible:
>
> Copy & Paste the procedure GetNextContributionNumber from git-new-contribution.dpr to git-back-to.dpr to make git-base-to use a correctly incremented contribution number.
>
> Bye for now,
> Skybuck.
Hello i am new to this kind of mailing (and to os contribution).
If you want to change the procedure from one place to other can you
assign this to me (if its still incomplete) and also tell me where can i
access this entire code (besides in the thread) so that i can see the
live status (like somewhere in the github).
^ permalink raw reply [flat|nested] 14+ messages in thread
* Re: Was "Re: [RFC] Proposed Git Workflow for Permanent History, Explicit Branch Status, and Developer Continuity" now "Skybuck's GitFlow"
2025-09-01 13:58 ` Haridas Mahato
@ 2025-09-05 8:31 ` Skybuck Flying
0 siblings, 0 replies; 14+ messages in thread
From: Skybuck Flying @ 2025-09-05 8:31 UTC (permalink / raw)
To: Haridas Mahato, git@vger.kernel.org
Hello Haridas Mahato,
The procedure was updated and the updated code is available on github:
Check here:
https://github.com/SkybuckFlying/Skybuck-s-Gitflow
Good luck using it. I'd love to hear from you if you were successfull with it ! :) or not ?! ;) 🙂
Bye for now,
Skybuck Flying.
P.S.: I've been very busy with creating a virtualized windows 11 inside hyper-v to protect my host os from any AI shenigangs ! ;) Very close to getting it working: Windows 11 Pro for Workstations (English X64 iso) 24h2 seems to be the magic bullit, many other versions of windows failed so far... including cloning also kinda failed, network adapter problems with that windows 11 23h2 version, but this Windows 11 Pro for Workstations 24h2 seems to have good networking, however Microsoft is still offering the dreaded "poof your drives" are gone update... so must be carefull.. Testing out hyper-v checkpointing, not to great, kinda flimsy. An easy way to copy & paste vm machines and version them is simply copy the vhdx file and re-create a new virtual machine... set the name for the vm machine to simply the version number, then save the location as the virtual machine name, then it will look like "vm name \ version" folder structure handy little trick. Later !
Windows 11 worries me though, already saw explorer screen disappear during testing in vm... hmm...
Unfortunately Windows 11 will probably be necessary to Run Delphi 12.3 and alternative could be to try Free Pascal on Linux and Windows...
^ permalink raw reply [flat|nested] 14+ messages in thread
end of thread, other threads:[~2025-09-05 8:31 UTC | newest]
Thread overview: 14+ messages (download: mbox.gz follow: Atom feed
-- links below jump to the message on this page --
2025-07-25 18:53 [RFC] Proposed Git Workflow for Permanent History, Explicit Branch Status, and Developer Continuity Skybuck Flying
2025-07-25 19:05 ` Skybuck Flying
2025-07-25 19:20 ` Skybuck Flying
2025-07-25 19:24 ` Skybuck Flying
2025-07-25 20:21 ` Skybuck Flying
2025-07-25 20:38 ` Skybuck Flying
2025-07-27 3:04 ` Skybuck Flying
2025-07-27 23:55 ` SuperLaserC from LaserA and LaserB, continue LaserA/B fresh from SuperLaserC was " Skybuck Flying
2025-08-29 19:42 ` Was "Re: [RFC] Proposed Git Workflow for Permanent History, Explicit Branch Status, and Developer Continuity" now "Skybuck's GitFlow" Skybuck Flying
2025-08-29 20:11 ` Skybuck Flying
2025-08-31 21:43 ` Skybuck Flying
2025-08-31 22:23 ` Skybuck Flying
2025-09-01 13:58 ` Haridas Mahato
2025-09-05 8:31 ` Skybuck Flying
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