Understanding Trunk-Based Development

Introduction

Trunk-based development is a streamlined branching model where developers frequently merge their work directly into the main branch, known as the 'trunk'. Ideal for small teams, this approach ensures the main branch remains constantly updated. When adding a new feature, developers quickly create a branch, make necessary commits, and merge it back into the trunk, keeping the main branch deployable at all times.

Benefits

Continuous Code Integration

The code gets integrated continuously into the main branch, keeping every contributor informed about the development cycle. This practice significantly reduces the time spent resolving merge conflicts that may arise when branches are merged after several commits, thus streamlining the code integration process.

Efficient Code Review

Trunk-based development enhances the code review process by encouraging small, frequent commits, which are easier to review compared to changes made across multiple files in long-lived branches. With a high frequency of commits, code reviewers remain well-informed about all features being added, enabling them to effectively assess the code. This proactive approach helps to minimize the chances of introducing bugs into the codebase.

Adjust to Business Requirements

Trunk-based development enables teams to swiftly adjust to evolving business requirements by prioritizing the integration of crucial features into the main branch. This flexibility allows for efficient allocation of workforce, shifting team members to other priority projects without compromising the stability of the trunk. As a result, organizations can optimize resource utilization and maintain agility in responding to changing business needs.

Easy Feature Toggles

Trunk-based development often utilizes feature flags or toggles, allowing for easy and quick rollback of new features in case of bugs or unforeseen issues. Developers encapsulate new features behind these flags, enabling seamless diversion from the main workflow if necessary. This approach ensures that features can be easily deactivated or modified, providing flexibility and reducing the impact of potential issues on the overall system.

Best Practices

Merge Branches Daily

In trunk-based development, it's crucial for teams to regularly close and merge any open and merge-ready requests on a daily basis. This practice, aligned with agile development principles, ensures continuous integration and keeps the main branch up to date.

Feature Flags

Opt for the use of feature flags to integrate new features directly into the main branch instead of creating separate feature branches. By committing the code directly to the trunk within the protection of the feature flag, teams can ensure continuous integration while keeping the main branch deployable. Once the feature is completed, enable the feature flag to activate the functionality.

Implement Automated Testing

Develop a comprehensive suite of automated tests to streamline the code review process and provide an additional layer of validation, especially in trunk-based development where merge commits are frequent. These automated tests rigorously review the code for any issues and automatically approve or reject it. This proactive approach enables developers to quickly identify and address any newly introduced issues before pushing the code to the trunk.

Conclusion

In conclusion, trunk-based development focuses on the agility and dedication of modern development teams. With discipline and commitment, it streamlines the development process, fosters team collaboration, and facilitates efficient CI/CD practices. While transitioning to this approach may pose initial challenges, its long-term benefits become evident over time. Embracing trunk-based development not only enhances productivity but also cultivates a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the team.