How to Use Git for Version Control in Full-Stack Projects
Full-stack applications often involve multiple layers — frontend, backend, database scripts, DevOps configs, etc. Git helps keep all this organized, traceable, and collaborative.
🎯 1. Set Up Your Project Repository
Option A: Start a new repo
git init
git add .
git commit -m "Initial commit"
Option B: Clone an existing repo
git clone https://github.com/username/repo.git
cd repo
Structure example for full-stack:
/client → frontend (React/Angular/Vue)
/server → backend (Node/Express, Django, Spring)
/db → SQL scripts / migrations
/infra → Docker, CI/CD, IaC files
🎯 2. Create .gitignore Files
You don’t want dependencies or secrets in Git.
Common full-stack ignores:
Root .gitignore:
.env
*.log
.DS_Store
Frontend (client/.gitignore):
node_modules/
dist/
Backend (server/.gitignore):
node_modules/
venv/
__pycache__/
🎯 3. Use Branching to Manage Features
A typical branching strategy for full-stack teams:
main → always deployable
develop → combined features for testing
feature/* → individual tasks (frontend or backend)
hotfix/* → urgent production fixes
Create a feature branch:
git checkout -b feature/login-api
🎯 4. Make Atomic, Meaningful Commits
Add changes:
git add file1.js file2.tsx
Commit:
git commit -m "Add login API route and validation"
Tips:
Commit small, logical updates
Reference issue/ticket numbers (if using Jira, GitHub Issues)
Avoid vague messages like “fix stuff”
🎯 5. Sync With the Remote Repository
Pull latest changes:
git pull origin develop
Push your branch:
git push origin feature/login-api
🎯 6. Use Pull Requests (PRs) / Merge Requests
PR workflow:
Push your branch.
Open a PR → target develop or main.
Add reviewers.
Fix comments and update branch.
Merge when approved.
PRs ensure:
Code review
CI tests run
Backend + frontend changes stay synchronized
🎯 7. Handle Merge Conflicts
Conflicts usually happen when two developers edit the same files.
To resolve:
git pull origin develop
# Fix conflicts manually in your editor
git add .
git commit
🎯 8. Tag Releases for Deployment
Useful for full-stack CI/CD pipelines.
git tag -a v1.0.0 -m "First stable release"
git push --tags
🎯 9. Use Git for Database Changes
For database migrations:
Store SQL migrations under /db/migrations
Use tools such as Flyway, Liquibase, Prisma, Sequelize, Django migrations
Commit migration scripts like any other code
🎯 10. Automate With CI/CD Pipelines
Common setups:
GitHub Actions
GitLab CI
Jenkins
CircleCI
Pipeline may:
Run tests for both frontend and backend
Build frontend
Run backend linter/tests
Run database migrations
Deploy to staging/production
🎯 11. Best Practices for Full-Stack Teams
Use small, focused branches
Review each other’s PRs
Keep secrets out of Git (use environment variables or Vault)
Use tags + releases for production
Enforce code style (Prettier, ESLint, Black, etc.)
Commit package lock files (important!)
Follow a clear workflow (GitFlow or GitHub Flow)
📚 Example Workflow (End-to-End)
Create a branch:
git checkout -b feature/signup-ui
Build signup form on frontend
Commit changes
Push and open PR
Backend team builds matching API on feature/signup-api
Merge both into develop
CI tests build both client + server
Merge to main → triggers deployment
Learn Fullstack Python Training in Hyderabad
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Introduction to Git and GitHub for Full Stack Python Developers
Version Control and Deployment
How to Perform End-to-End Testing in Full Stack Python Applications
Testing REST APIs in Python with Postman
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