When working on a shared GitHub repository, your workflow can either make collaboration smoothor create endless conflicts, broken code, and frustration. Many developers struggle with one common question:

“Should I pull changes before starting new work, or should I code first and pull later?”

The truth is: The most efficient and professional workflow always begins with pulling the latest changes before you start.

This article breaks down the ideal Git workflow used by teams in top engineering organizations.

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1. Always Start by Pulling the Latest Changes

Before you write a single line of code, ensure your local environment is up to date.

Pulling first guarantees:

• You’re working with the latest version of the project
• You avoid rewriting features that someone already updated
• You minimize merge conflicts
• Your work stays compatible with the rest of the team

Command:

git pull origin main

This small habit saves hours of fixing unnecessary conflicts later.

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2. Create a Feature Branch for Your Work

Instead of modifying the main branch directly, create a separate branch where you can make changes safely.

Command:

git checkout -b feature/my-new-update

Working in your own branch ensures:

• You avoid corrupting the main production code
• You can develop and test without affecting teammates
• Your changes become easier to review through pull requests

Branching is the foundation of professional Git workflows.

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3. Implement Your Changes

Now you can focus on writing your code without worrying about interfering with someone else’s work. Make your updates, then commit them:

git add .
git commit -m "Implement new feature"

Keep your commits clean and meaningfulfuture you and your teammates will thank you.

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4. Pull Again Before Pushing (Critical Step)

This is the step most beginners skip.

Even if you pulled before starting, someone may have pushed new updates while you were working. If you push without pulling, Git will reject your push or create unnecessary conflicts.

Before pushing, run:

Option A – Merge (easiest for beginners):

git pull origin main

or

Option B – Rebase (clean history):

git pull --rebase origin main

Rebasing rewrites your branch history so it appears as if you built on top of the most recent changesresulting in a cleaner, linear Git timeline.

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5. Push Your Feature Branch

Once your branch is fully updated and conflict-free:

git push origin feature/my-new-update

This publishes your changes to GitHub where others can review them.

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6. Create a Pull Request

A pull request (PR) is how your code gets reviewed and eventually merged.

A good PR includes:

• A clear title
• A short description of what you changed
• Screenshots if you changed UI
• Steps for testing your update

PRs ensure quality control, collaboration, and maintainability.

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Summary: The Ideal Git Collaboration Workflow

Here’s the workflow in simple English:

1. Pull before you start working
2. Create a feature branch
3. Implement your changes
4. Pull again before pushing
5. Push your branch
6. Open a pull request

This workflow:

✔ Avoids conflicts ✔ Makes teamwork smooth ✔ Keeps the repo clean ✔ Protects the main branch ✔ Saves time ✔ Builds professional habits

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Final Thoughts

Git is powerful, but it requires discipline. Following this workflow ensures that your contributions integrate smoothly with others’ work. Whether you’re working in a team of two or fifty, these practices will save time, frustration, and maintain long-term code quality.