0Pricing
DevOps Bootcamp · Lesson

Release Branches & Hotfixes

Implement dedicated release branches and learn how to quickly apply critical bug fixes using hotfix branches.

Release Branches & Hotfixes is a free DevOps Bootcamp lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 3 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the DevOps Bootcamp learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.

Release Branches Intro

When your project is nearing a new version release, you need a stable environment to prepare it. This is where release branches come in!

They are dedicated branches used to finalize a release, allowing the main development branch to continue with new features.

Why Use Release Branches?

Release branches offer several key advantages:

  • Stabilization: Isolate the code for final testing and bug fixes without affecting ongoing feature development.
  • Version Management: Easily apply version numbers and release tags to a specific, stable codebase.
  • Parallel Development: Your develop branch remains free for new features, ensuring continuous integration.

Creating a Release Branch

Typically, a release branch is created from your develop branch when it's feature-complete for the upcoming release. Let's create one for version 1.0.0.

First, make sure your develop branch is up to date.

git checkout develop
git pull
git checkout -b release/1.0.0

Working on a Release Branch

Once on the release branch, the focus shifts to stabilization:

  • Fixing last-minute bugs.
  • Updating documentation (e.g., README, changelog).
  • Incrementing version numbers.

No new features should be added here. Only essential fixes!

Finishing a Release Branch

When the release branch is stable and ready, it needs to be merged into two places:

  1. main (or master): To mark the official release. A tag is usually applied here.
  2. develop: To ensure any bug fixes made on the release branch are carried forward.

Merging & Tagging the Release

Here's how to merge your release/1.0.0 branch into main, tag it, then merge it back into develop, and finally delete the release branch.

git checkout main
git merge release/1.0.0 --no-ff
git tag -a v1.0.0 -m "Release version 1.0.0"
git push origin main --tags
git checkout develop
git merge release/1.0.0 --no-ff
git push origin develop
git branch -d release/1.0.0

Hotfix Branches Explained

What if a critical bug is found in the production version of your software? You can't wait for the next planned release!

Hotfix branches are designed for urgent, immediate fixes to production code. They bypass the usual development cycle to get a fix out quickly.

Creating a Hotfix Branch

A hotfix branch is always created directly from the main (or master) branch, which represents your current production code.

Let's create a hotfix branch to fix a critical bug.

git checkout main
git pull
git checkout -b hotfix/critical-bug-fix

Applying and Finishing a Hotfix

After fixing the bug on the hotfix branch, it needs to be merged into both main and develop. This ensures the production fix is deployed and also prevents the bug from reappearing in future development.

A new tag is also applied to mark the hotfix version.

git checkout main
git merge hotfix/critical-bug-fix --no-ff
git tag -a v1.0.1 -m "Hotfix for critical bug"
git push origin main --tags
git checkout develop
git merge hotfix/critical-bug-fix --no-ff
git push origin develop
git branch -d hotfix/critical-bug-fix

When to Use Which Branch?

You've learned about release and hotfix branches. They both help manage releases but serve different purposes.

Consider a scenario where your production application has a major security vulnerability that needs immediate patching. Which type of branch would be most appropriate to address this?

Release & Hotfix Recap

You've now mastered two crucial Git branching strategies:

  • Release Branches: Used for stabilizing and preparing a new version release from develop, merging into main and develop.
  • Hotfix Branches: For urgent, critical bug fixes directly on production code, starting from main and merging into both main and develop.

These workflows help maintain a clean history and stable releases!

Frequently asked questions

Is the “Release Branches & Hotfixes” lesson free?

Yes — the full text of “Release Branches & Hotfixes” is free to read here on the web, and the DevOps Bootcamp course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the DevOps Bootcamp course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.

What will I learn in “Release Branches & Hotfixes”?

Implement dedicated release branches and learn how to quickly apply critical bug fixes using hotfix branches. You practise DevOps Bootcamp with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.

Do I need any experience to start DevOps Bootcamp?

No prior experience is required. DevOps Bootcamp on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 3 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.

How long does the “Release Branches & Hotfixes” lesson take?

Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.

Can I write and run code in this DevOps Bootcamp lesson?

Yes. Every DevOps Bootcamp lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.

All lessons in this course

  1. Semantic Versioning with Tags
  2. Creating and Managing Releases
  3. Release Branches & Hotfixes
  4. Generating Changelogs and Release Notes
← Back to DevOps Bootcamp