<h2>Introduction</h2>
<p>Version control systems like Git are the backbone of modern software development. But using Git effectively requires following certain best practices to maintain clean commits, improve collaboration, and ensure project scalability.</p>

<h3>1. Write Meaningful Commit Messages</h3>
<p>Each commit should explain the <em>what</em> and <em>why</em>, not just the <em>how</em>.</p>
<pre><code>{`

Bad

git commit -m "fixed stuff"

Good

git commit -m "Fix navbar alignment issue on mobile" `}</code></pre>

<h3>2. Commit Often, But Keep Them Small</h3>
<ul>
  <li>Each commit should represent one logical change</li>
  <li>Avoid committing large unrelated changes together</li>
</ul>

<h3>3. Use Branching Strategies</h3>
<p>Popular workflows:</p>
<ul>
  <li><strong>Git Flow</strong>: feature, develop, release, main branches</li>
  <li><strong>GitHub Flow</strong>: short-lived feature branches + pull requests</li>
</ul>

<h3>4. Keep <code>main</code> Branch Stable</h3>
<p>The <code>main</code> (or <code>master</code>) branch should always have production-ready code. Use pull requests for merging.</p>

<h3>5. Use .gitignore Wisely</h3>
<pre><code>{`

Example .gitignore

node_modules/ dist/ .env `}</code></pre> <p>Never commit secrets or unnecessary files.</p>

<h3>6. Code Reviews & Pull Requests</h3>
<p>Always create pull requests (PRs) for code changes. This ensures code quality and knowledge sharing.</p>

<h3>7. Tag Releases</h3>
<pre><code>{`

git tag -a v1.0.0 -m "Initial stable release" git push origin v1.0.0 `}</code></pre> <p>Helps track versions and roll back if needed.</p>

<h3>8. Sync Regularly</h3>
<pre><code>{`

git pull origin main `}</code></pre> <p>Keep your branch updated to avoid large merge conflicts.</p>

<h3>Best Practices Checklist</h3>
<ul>
  <li>Commit frequently, with small changes</li>
  <li>Use clear, descriptive commit messages</li>
  <li>Follow a branching strategy (GitHub Flow / Git Flow)</li>
  <li>Never commit sensitive information</li>
  <li>Review code before merging</li>
  <li>Use tags for stable releases</li>
</ul>

<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>By adopting version control best practices, you can build cleaner projects, collaborate better, and reduce risks in software development.</p>