Create README_branching.md

Author: app-generator

README_branching.md

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+# Branching Strategy Documentation
+
+## Overview
+
+This document outlines the branching strategy to be followed in the repository for managing development, staging, and main branches. The purpose is to provide a clear and organized approach to collaborative development and release management.
+
+## Branches
+
+### 1. Main Branch
+
+- **Name:** `main`
+- **Purpose:** Represents the production-ready code.
+- **Rules:**
+  - Only stable and tested code should be merged into `main`.
+  - Direct commits to `main` should be avoided. All changes should go through pull requests.
+
+### 2. Development Branch
+
+- **Name:** `development`
+- **Purpose:** Represents the latest development changes.
+- **Rules:**
+  - Developers create feature branches from `development`.
+  - Frequent integration with feature branches to identify and resolve conflicts early.
+
+### 3. Feature Branches
+
+- **Naming Convention:** `feature/<feature-name>`
+- **Purpose:** Isolated branches for developing specific features.
+- **Rules:**
+  - Created from and merged back into `development`.
+  - Short-lived and specific to a single feature or bug fix.
+  - Regularly updated with changes from `development`.
+
+### 4. Staging Branch
+
+- **Name:** `staging`
+- **Purpose:** Represents a stable state for testing before release.
+- **Rules:**
+  - Merged from `development` once a set of features are ready for testing.
+  - Used for integration testing before merging into `main`.
+
+## Workflow
+
+1. **Feature Development:**
+   - Create a new feature branch from `development`.
+   - Implement and test the feature.
+   - Regularly merge changes from `development` to stay up-to-date.
+
+2. **Code Review:**
+   - Create a pull request when the feature is ready.
+   - Get code reviews from peers.
+   - Make necessary changes and address feedback.
+
+3. **Merge to Development:**
+   - Once the feature is approved, merge it into the `development` branch.
+
+4. **Testing:**
+   - Periodically merge `development` into `staging` for testing.
+   - Conduct thorough testing on the `staging` branch.
+
+5. **Release to Production:**
+   - After successful testing, merge `staging` into `main` for release.
+
+## Best Practices
+
+- Commit messages should be clear and descriptive.
+- Regularly update local branches with remote changes.
+- Avoid force-pushing to shared branches.
+- Utilize git hooks for automation and validation.