Github for Class Collaboration
“rule of thumb” phrases from ChatGPT:
✅ Git & Workflow Rules of Thumb
- “Pull before you push. Branch before you break. Commit before you close your laptop.” → Prevents conflicts, encourages clean commits, protects your work.
- “Push the story, not just the state.”
- “Branch often. Merge fast. Delete after.” → Keeps your project tree tidy and your work modular.
- “Every commit is a snapshot — make it one you’d show your future self.” → Encourages clear, intentional commit messages.
- “Think: What changed? Stage it. Describe it. Save it. Send it.” → Mental model for the Git commit loop.
- “Git is journaling for your code. GitHub is publishing it.” → Helps you mentally separate local work from shared/public work.
- “Do the thinking while it’s fresh — write the message when the why is clear.” → Pushes you to commit immediately after solving something, while your intent is sharp.
- “Don’t fear the branch. Fear the uncommitted mess.” → Branches are safe places to experiment. Uncommitted code is what gets lost.