Branches, Pull Requests and Code Review: A Mature Architecture for Wicoders

If you already know how to commit and fluff, but still work in the same branch main - this article will take you to the next level.

Here we take a look at the mature process architecture that Google, Meta*, Microsoft, Stripe and other large companies use and show how to adapt it to a Vibcoder that works alone or with AI agents.

## Why do I need “adult” architecture when I work alone?

Many people think, “I’m a solo, why do I need all these branches and revs?”

The answer is simple:

• You work with *AI agents who generate a lot of code. Without control, you will quickly lose quality.
• After 2-3 months, you will forget why you did this or that feature.
• When the project grows, it will hurt you to rebuild the processes.
• Good process architecture saves time, not wastes it.

Mature architecture is not needed by the company, but by yourself.

## 1. Branching strategies: which one to choose?

There are several popular strategies. Here are the most important:

### GitHub Flow (most recommended for Vibcoders)

Simple and effective:

• main is always a working version
• For each task, a separate branch is created
• Upon completion, Pull Request → Review → Merge

• When to use: * Almost always, unless you're on a very large team.

### Git Flow (classic)

Uses branches:

• mainXX
• developXX
• feature/*XX
• release/*XX
• hotfix/*XX

When to use: If you have a complex release cycle and multiple environments (staging, production).

### Trunk-Based Development (as used by Google and Meta*)

• All work in main (or trunk)
• Branches live a maximum of 1-2 days
• Frequent little Pull Requests

** When to use: * In very mature teams with excellent tests.

My Vibcoder recommendation: Start with GitHub Flow – it works best with AI agents.

## 2. Pull Requests: How to Do It Right

### A good Pull Request contains:

1. Understood name

   • Bad: fix bug
   • Okay, fix: исправил баг с авторизацией при истечении токена

2. ** Description (Description)**

   • What's been done
   • Why should I
   • How to check
   • Screenshots/video (if UI)

3. Communication with the task (if there are Issues)

### PR template (I recommend creating in the repository)

# What's done?
Added authentication system via Telegram
- Added registration tests

Why?
Users will be able to log in via Telegram without a password

## How to check out
1. Launch `npm run dev`
2. Go to /login.
3. Click "Enter via Telegram"

## Screenshots
[Affix]

## Additional
- Closes #42

## Code Review: How Big Companies Do It

In large companies, code review is not a formality, but one of the most important processes.

### Rules for a good review (from Google and Meta*):

• Review not code, but changes - focus on diff
• Ask questions, don’t criticize immediately
• Praise the good decisions
• • Offer alternatives**, not just pointing out problems
• The review should be fast (ideally within 24 hours)

### What to check first:

• Logic and architecture
• Security (especially if the agent is writing the code)
• Productivity
• Readability and name
• Tests
• Conformity with project style

### Features of the AI code review

When the code is written by the agent, pay attention to:

• Excessive complexity
• Lack of error handling
• Hardly defined values instead of configs
• Lack of comment in difficult places

## 4. Merge Strategies (Merge Strategies)

GitHub offers three options:

Recommendation for Vibcoder: Use Squash and merge is the cleanest option.

## 5. Branch Protection Rules (branch protection)

This is what makes the process truly adult.

Settings → Branches → Add rule:

Make sure to play:

• Require a pull request before merging
• Require approvals (minimum 1)
• Require status checks to pass before merging
• Require branches to be up to date before merging
• Include administrators (so you can’t get around the rules yourself)

## 6. How to do it in large companies (real examples)

• Google: Trunk-Based Development + very rigorous reviews + mandatory tests
• Meta*: A lot of little PR + strong culture review + internal tools
• **Stripe: Mandatory review + automatic checks + detailed PR templates
• Microsoft: GitHub Flow + strict protection main + integration with Azure DevOps

**The bigger the company, the stricter the process and the smaller the Pull Request.

## 7. Adaptation to Vibcoder + AI-agents

** Perfect process for you:**

1. Create a feature/название-задачи branch
2. You're asking an agent to write code in that branch
3. You check the results
4. Create a Pull Request with a good description
5. Start automatic checks (Actions)
6. Doing a self-review (or asking for another agent)
7. Squash and merge