Gitflow Branch Gate

This extension adds a build task to help control branch commits, enforce Gitflow conventions and branch limits. Essentially, set your builds on fire if your branching strategy, limits and rules are not followed.

Gitflow is a branching model for Git, created by Vincent Driessen. It's a standardised approach that allows teams to separate feature development, release and support for emergency fixes. Sounds amazing right? Well, there are a few gotchas especially when it comes to keeping all branches up to date and making sure conventions are followed.

The Scenario

You're using the Gitflow branching model, or variation of it, Pull Requests with Team Foundation Server branch policies but need a way to prevent hotfixes\releases from being rolled back! Also, while you're at it, you want to prevent stale branches...

Introducing the Gitflow Branch Gate build task...

Keeping branches up to date becomes difficult as the number of developers, requirements or product delivery increases. Many teams try to adopt a trunk based branching strategy, and while this potentially solves many problems, it's not always possible. This build task aims to promote short-lived branches and assist in moving all branches forward.

Features

Configure branch naming standards and make sure they are followed
Apply branch limits to hotfixes, release and feature branches
Set builds on fire if branches become stale
Make sure all branches are never behind the master branch
Make sure all feature branches are never behind develop
Prevent release & hotfix branches being created at the same time
Track active Pull Requests from important branches to prevent deployed changes from being rolled back