releasebranchit

releasebranchit is a hypothetical command-line tool designed to streamline the process of managing release branches in software development workflows. Its primary purpose is to automate the creation, updating, and merging of branches specifically designated for releasing new versions of a project. The tool aims to reduce the manual effort and potential for error associated with branching strategies that involve dedicated release lines.

Typically, releasebranchit would integrate with version control systems like Git. Users would invoke the tool with specific commands to initiate a release branch from a stable development branch, such as 'main' or 'develop'. The tool could then handle tasks like tagging the commit from which the release branch is created, ensuring proper version tracking. Furthermore, it might facilitate the cherry-picking of bug fixes from the release branch back into the main development line, a common practice to maintain consistency.

The core functionality envisioned for releasebranchit includes commands for creating a new release branch, merging completed release branches back into the main line after a release, and potentially managing hotfix branches that branch off from release branches. By abstracting these common branching operations, releasebranchit seeks to improve developer productivity and enforce a consistent release management process across a team. The tool's design would prioritize simplicity and integration with existing Git workflows.