docs(repo): define branch lifecycle

[izadoesdev]

Summary

• define a short-lived, one-slice branch lifecycle for contributors and agents
• make scope, ownership, dependencies, and overlap checks explicit in every PR
• document rebase-first integration and safe worktree retirement

Repository settings applied

• automatically delete merged source branches
• protect staging: PR-only, resolved conversations, no force-pushes or deletion

Slice

• Issue: maintainer workflow cleanup
• Scope / owning surface: repository branch and PR lifecycle
• Dependencies or overlapping PRs: None

Verification

• bun run lint

• bun run test (pre-push)

• This branch started from current staging and does not include another unmerged PR.

• This is one independently reviewable slice; unrelated cleanup or refactors are separate.

• I checked open PRs for overlapping files, contracts, schemas, or deployment configuration.

• This PR targets staging; after it closes, this branch will not be reused.

---

Summary by cubic

Defines a short-lived branch and PR lifecycle to keep work in small, linear slices. Makes scope, dependencies, and overlap checks explicit in every PR, and documents rebase-first integration and safe worktree retirement.

• New Features

  • Added a “Slice” section and ownership checklist to .github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md.
  • Documented branch/PR lifecycle in CONTRIBUTING.md and AGENTS.md.
  • Enforced repo rules: auto-delete merged source branches and protect staging.

• Migration

  • Start branches from up-to-date origin/staging; declare explicit dependencies as “Depends on #…”.
  • Keep one task per branch; open a draft PR early with scope and known overlaps.
  • Rebase onto origin/staging before review; retire branches after merge/close and use one worktree per branch.

^{Written for commit d11c9a4. Summary will update on new commits.}

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Project	Deployment	Actions	Updated (UTC)
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documentation	Ready	Preview	Aug 2, 2026 3:04pm

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[greptile-apps]

Greptile Summary

This PR documents a short-lived, one-slice branch lifecycle for contributors and agents.

• Adds explicit scope, dependency, overlap, and branch-retirement checks to the pull request template.
• Defines rebase-first integration, early draft PRs, isolated worktrees, and branch retirement in agent guidance.
• Expands contributor instructions with a concrete branch creation, review, and cleanup workflow.

Confidence Score: 5/5

The documentation-only PR appears safe to merge.

The new guidance is internally consistent across the pull request template, agent instructions, and contributor workflow, and it aligns with the repository’s staging-oriented automation.

Important Files Changed

Filename	Overview
.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md	Adds slice metadata and checklist items that consistently reinforce the documented branch lifecycle.
AGENTS.md	Replaces the brief staging-target instruction with coherent branch ownership, integration, isolation, and retirement guidance.
CONTRIBUTING.md	Expands the development workflow into a consistent staging-based branch and PR lifecycle with rebase-first integration.

Flowchart

%%{init: {'theme': 'neutral'}}%%
flowchart LR
  A[Update staging] --> B[Create fresh task branch]
  B --> C[Implement one reviewable slice]
  C --> D[Push and open draft PR]
  D --> E[Rebase onto origin/staging]
  E --> F[Run relevant checks]
  F --> G[Review and merge or close]
  G --> H[Delete branch and remove worktree]

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