TL;DR

Verify tests → Present 4 options (merge, PR, keep, discard) → Execute choice → Clean up worktree. Never leave work in limbo.

Finishing a Development Branch

Activation

1. Activate on $codex-branch-finisher, $finish, or $finish-branch.
2. Activate when all tasks in a plan are complete.
3. Activate after codex-subagent-execution completes all tasks.
4. Activate after codex-execution-quality-gate passes.
5. Activate after codex-workflow-autopilot reaches ship mode.

Announce at start: "I'm using codex-branch-finisher to complete this work."

The Iron Law

NO COMPLETION WITHOUT TEST VERIFICATION
NO OPEN-ENDED "WHAT NEXT?" — PRESENT STRUCTURED OPTIONS

The Process

Step 1: Verify Tests

Before presenting options, verify tests pass:

# Bash
npm test  # or: cargo test / pytest / go test ./...

# PowerShell
npm test  # or equivalent for your stack

If tests fail:

Tests failing (<N> failures). Must fix before completing:

[Show failures]

Cannot proceed with merge/PR until tests pass.

STOP. Do not proceed to Step 2.

If tests pass: Continue to Step 2.

Step 2: Determine Base Branch

git merge-base HEAD main 2>/dev/null || git merge-base HEAD master 2>/dev/null

git merge-base HEAD main 2>$null; if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) { git merge-base HEAD master 2>$null }

Or ask: "This branch split from main — is that correct?"

Step 3: Present Options

Present exactly these 4 options — no more, no less, no open-ended questions:

Implementation complete. What would you like to do?

1. Merge back to <base-branch> locally
2. Push and create a Pull Request
3. Keep the branch as-is (I'll handle it later)
4. Discard this work

Which option?

Don't add explanation — keep options concise.

Step 4: Execute Choice

Option 1: Merge Locally

git checkout <base-branch>
git pull
git merge <feature-branch>
<test command>                    # Verify on merged result
git branch -d <feature-branch>   # Only after merge success

Then: Cleanup worktree (Step 5).

Option 2: Push and Create PR

git push -u origin <feature-branch>
gh pr create --title "<title>" --body "## Summary
- <bullet 1>
- <bullet 2>

## Test Plan
- [ ] All tests pass
- [ ] Manual verification complete"

git push -u origin <feature-branch>
gh pr create --title "<title>" --body "## Summary`n- <bullet 1>`n`n## Test Plan`n- [ ] All tests pass"

Then: Cleanup worktree (Step 5).

Option 3: Keep As-Is

Report: "Keeping branch <name>. Worktree preserved at <path>."

Don't cleanup worktree.

Option 4: Discard

Confirm first:

This will permanently delete:
- Branch <name>
- All commits: <commit-list>
- Worktree at <path>

Type 'discard' to confirm.

Wait for exact confirmation. Then:

git checkout <base-branch>
git branch -D <feature-branch>

Then: Cleanup worktree (Step 5).

Step 5: Cleanup Worktree

For Options 1, 2, 4:

Check if in worktree:

git worktree list | grep $(git branch --show-current)

git worktree list | Select-String (git branch --show-current)

If yes:

git worktree remove <worktree-path>

For Option 3: Keep worktree.

Quick Reference

Option	Merge	Push	Keep Worktree	Cleanup Branch
1. Merge locally	✓	—	—	✓
2. Create PR	—	✓	✓	—
3. Keep as-is	—	—	✓	—
4. Discard	—	—	—	✓ (force)

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Fix
Skipping test verification	Always verify tests before offering options
Open-ended "What should I do?"	Present exactly 4 structured options
Auto worktree cleanup	Only cleanup for Options 1 and 4
No confirmation for discard	Require typed "discard" confirmation
Force-push without explicit request	Never force-push unless user explicitly asks

Integration

Called By	When
codex-subagent-execution	After all tasks complete
codex-workflow-autopilot	After ship mode completes
codex-execution-quality-gate	After gate passes
Direct invocation	$finish or $finish-branch

Pairs With	Purpose
codex-git-worktrees	Cleans up worktree created by that skill
codex-verification-discipline	Tests must PASS before presenting options

Script Invocation Discipline

1. When this workflow calls helper scripts from other skills, run --help first.
2. Treat helper scripts as black-box tools and execute by contract before reading source.
3. Read script source only when customization or bug-fixing is required.