When another developer joins a project, a working application is not enough: they also need to know how to set it up, build it, and submit changes. Standardization makes those repeated steps predictable. Shared commands and documentation give contributors a practical set of instructions; automation can then run the same steps without relying on memory. section 2.2 section 2.6
Standardize the parts of the workflow that teammates repeat:
- Put environment setup and build commands in a Makefile, then document how to run them in the README. A shared `make build` command lets developers and the pipeline use the same build procedure. section 2.2 section 2.3
- Agree on code format, documentation, established patterns, and tests. The aim is not identical code—each change has its own purpose—but code teammates can read and check consistently. section 5.3
- Give pull requests a common description and checklist. Review the process with the team and refine what is not working. section 5.1.5
Make formatting a pipeline gate
Add a `check-format` target that runs `test -z $$(go fmt ./...)`. Have a GitHub Actions format-check job run `make check-format`, and make the test job depend on it. This turns a shared style decision into an automatic check before later pipeline work proceeds. section 5.3
Listing 5.1 PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
### Description Please explain the changes you made here. ### Associated Task Please list closed, fixed, or resolved issues here with a # and the number. ### Checklist - [ ] Code compiles correctly - [ ] Added tests that fail without the change (if possible) - [ ] All tests passing - [ ] Extended the documentation
The pull-request template turns expectations into a reusable prompt: describe the change, link the task, and check compilation, tests, and documentation before submission. section 5.1.5
Apply this rigor where people build a product together; an experimental personal project may not need it. As the team grows, keep checking whether the pipeline and its standards help delivery, and update documentation when the process changes. section 5.3 section 2.3 section 11.6
