# Develop Branch Setup

**Completed**: 2026-01-13
**Branch**: 018-develop-branch-setup
**PR**: #75

## Overview

Implemented a Gitflow-inspired branching strategy for the Do-It project by creating a `develop` branch as the default integration branch. The `main` branch is now reserved for production-ready releases, while `develop` serves as the primary target for feature branch merges.

## Requirements Implemented

| ID | Description | Status |
|----|-------------|--------|
| FR-001 | Create develop branch from main | Done |
| FR-002 | Set develop as default branch in GitHub | Done |
| FR-003 | Configure branch protection for develop (PR reviews required) | Done |
| FR-004 | Prevent direct pushes to develop | Done |
| FR-005 | Update documentation to reflect new workflow | Done |
| FR-006 | Retain existing main branch protection rules | Done |
| FR-007 | Update CONTRIBUTING.md with new branching instructions | Done |

## Technical Details

This feature is a DevOps/infrastructure change with no code modifications:

- **Branch creation**: `develop` branch created from `main` at commit 0c9f8e3
- **Default branch**: Changed from `main` to `develop` via GitHub API
- **Branch protection**: Configured via GitHub API with identical rules to `main`:
  - Required PR reviews: 1
  - Dismiss stale reviews: enabled
  - Force pushes: disabled
  - Branch deletions: disabled

### Branching Strategy

```
main      <- Production releases only (PyPI publishes)
  |
develop   <- Default branch, feature integration (DEFAULT)
  |
  +-- ###-feature-name  <- Feature branches
```

## Files Changed

| File | Change Type | Description |
|------|-------------|-------------|
| `CONTRIBUTING.md` | Modified | Updated branch workflow instructions |

### CONTRIBUTING.md Changes

- Quick Start: Added note about landing on `develop` by default
- Feature branch creation: Changed `git checkout -b ###-feature-name` to `git checkout -b ###-feature-name develop`
- PR Process: Changed target from `main` to `develop`
- Added "Release Process (Maintainers)" section with production release and hotfix workflows

## Testing

- **Automated tests**: N/A (DevOps/infrastructure feature)
- **Manual verification**: 5/5 passed
  - Clone default branch verification: `develop` confirmed
  - GitHub UI default branch: `develop` confirmed
  - Branch protection rules: configured and verified
  - Feature branch workflow: tested successfully
  - Release workflow: documented and verified possible

## Success Criteria Verification

| Criteria | Verification |
|----------|--------------|
| SC-001: Clone lands on develop | Verified via `git clone` test |
| SC-002: PRs target develop by default | Verified via GitHub API |
| SC-003: Direct push to develop rejected | Verified via protection rules |
| SC-004: Documentation updated | CONTRIBUTING.md updated |
| SC-005: Both branches have protection | Both verified via GitHub API |

## Related Issues

- Epic: #57
- Features: #58, #59, #60
- Tasks: #61, #62, #63, #64, #65, #66, #67, #68, #69, #70, #71, #72, #73, #74
