---
name: finishing-a-development-branch
description: Guide the completion of a development branch by presenting structured options for merge, PR, or cleanup. Use when implementation is complete, all tests pass, and you need to decide how to integrate the work.
license: MIT
metadata:
  author: Jesse Vincent
  source: Derived from https://github.com/obra/superpowers
---

# Finishing a Development Branch

## Overview

Guide completion of development work by presenting clear options and handling chosen workflow.

**Core principle:** Verify tests → Present options → Execute choice → Clean up.

**Announce at start:** "I'm using the finishing-a-development-branch skill to complete this work."

## The Process

### Step 1: Verify Tests

**Before presenting options, verify tests pass:**

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

**If tests fail** — surface the blocked callout, then the failures in a fence:

```markdown
> **🛑 Blocked — <N> test failures**
>
> Cannot proceed with merge/PR until tests pass.
```

```
[Show failures]
```

Stop. Don't proceed to Step 2.

**If tests pass:** Continue to Step 2.

### Step 2: Determine Base Branch

```bash
# Try common base branches
git merge-base HEAD main 2>/dev/null || git merge-base HEAD master 2>/dev/null
```

Or ask: "This branch split from main - is that correct?"

### Step 3: Present Options

Print the Gate headline (`**⛔ Gate — branch completion**`, one line: tests green, N commits on `<branch>`, per `orc:callouts`), then present exactly these 4 options (via `AskUserQuestion` when available):

```
Implementation complete. What would you like to do?

1. Merge back to <base-branch> locally
2. Push and create a Pull Request
3. Keep the branch as-is (I'll handle it later)
4. Discard this work

Which option?
```

**Don't add explanation** - keep options concise.

### Caller-supplied preview mode (one gate instead of two)

When the calling command has **already composed the PR title + body** (e.g. `/orc:ship`, which composes before gating), it passes them in and Steps 3–4's two questions collapse into ONE. Print the Gate headline (`**⛔ Gate — ship**`, one line: tests green, N commits on `<branch>`), render the composed title + body in a fence, then `AskUserQuestion`:

```
1. Open PR as previewed (Recommended)
2. Open as draft
3. Edit title/body first — collect edits, re-render the preview, re-ask
4. Another completion path — merge back locally / keep as-is / discard
```

Options 1–2 execute Option 2 below (push + `gh pr create`; `--draft` for option 2) with the previewed body verbatim. Option 4 opens the standard 4-option question from Step 3 as a follow-up and proceeds per Steps 4–5 (the discard confirmation still applies). The preview shown IS the payload posted — any edit loops back through the preview.

### Step 4: Execute Choice

#### Option 1: Merge Locally

```bash
# Switch to base branch
git checkout <base-branch>

# Pull latest
git pull

# Merge feature branch
git merge <feature-branch>

# Verify tests on merged result
<test command>

# If tests pass
git branch -d <feature-branch>
```

Then: Cleanup worktree (Step 5)

#### Option 2: Push and Create PR

```bash
# Push branch
git push -u origin <feature-branch>

# Create PR
gh pr create --title "<title>" --body "$(cat <<'EOF'
## Summary
<2-3 bullets of what changed>

## Test Plan
- [ ] <verification steps>
EOF
)"
```

Then: Cleanup worktree (Step 5)

#### Option 3: Keep As-Is

Report: "Keeping branch <name>. Worktree preserved at <path>."

**Don't cleanup worktree.**

#### Option 4: Discard

**Confirm first:**

```markdown
> **🛑 Destructive — type 'discard' to confirm**
>
> This permanently deletes branch `<name>`, all its commits (<commit-list>), and the worktree at `<path>`.
```

Wait for exact confirmation.

If confirmed:
```bash
git checkout <base-branch>
git branch -D <feature-branch>
```

Then: Cleanup worktree (Step 5)

### Step 5: Cleanup Worktree

**For Options 1, 2, 4:**

Check if in worktree:
```bash
git worktree list | grep $(git branch --show-current)
```

If yes:
```bash
git worktree remove <worktree-path>
```

**For Option 3:** Keep worktree.

## Quick Reference

| Option | Merge | Push | Keep Worktree | Cleanup Branch |
|--------|-------|------|---------------|----------------|
| 1. Merge locally | ✓ | - | - | ✓ |
| 2. Create PR | - | ✓ | ✓ | - |
| 3. Keep as-is | - | - | ✓ | - |
| 4. Discard | - | - | - | ✓ (force) |

## Common Mistakes

**Skipping test verification**
- **Problem:** Merge broken code, create failing PR
- **Fix:** Always verify tests before offering options

**Open-ended questions**
- **Problem:** "What should I do next?" → ambiguous
- **Fix:** Present exactly 4 structured options

**Automatic worktree cleanup**
- **Problem:** Remove worktree when might need it (Option 2, 3)
- **Fix:** Only cleanup for Options 1 and 4

**No confirmation for discard**
- **Problem:** Accidentally delete work
- **Fix:** Require typed "discard" confirmation

## Red Flags

**Never:**
- Proceed with failing tests
- Merge without verifying tests on result
- Delete work without confirmation
- Force-push without explicit request

**Always:**
- Verify tests before offering options
- Present exactly 4 options
- Get typed confirmation for Option 4
- Clean up worktree for Options 1 & 4 only

## Integration

**Called by:**
- **subagent-driven-development** (Step 7) - After all tasks complete
- **executing-plans** (Step 5) - After all batches complete

**Pairs with:**
- **using-git-worktrees** - Cleans up worktree created by that skill