arc-finishing

arc-finishing

Overview

Guide completion of development work by presenting clear options and handling chosen workflow.

Core principle: Verify tests → Present options → Execute choice → Clean up.

Do NOT use for epic worktrees with .arcforge-epic → use arc-finishing-epic.

The Process

Step 1: Verify Tests

Before presenting options, verify tests pass:

# Auto-detect test command from project files
if [ -f package.json ]; then
  npm test
elif [ -f Cargo.toml ]; then
  cargo test
elif [ -f pyproject.toml ] || [ -f setup.py ]; then
  pytest
elif [ -f go.mod ]; then
  go test ./...
else
  echo "No test command detected. Specify manually."
fi

If tests fail:

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

[Show failures]

Cannot proceed with merge/PR until tests pass.

Stop. Don't proceed to Step 2.

If tests pass: Continue to Step 2.

Step 2: Determine Base Branch

# Try common base branches
git merge-base HEAD main 2>/dev/null || git merge-base HEAD master 2>/dev/null

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

Step 3: Present Options

Present exactly these 4 options:

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

# Switch to base branch
git checkout <base-branch>

# Pull latest
git pull

# Merge feature branch
git merge <feature-branch>

# Verify tests on merged result
<test command>

# If tests pass
git branch -d <feature-branch>

Then: Cleanup worktree (Step 5)

Option 2: Push and Create PR

# Push branch
git push -u origin <feature-branch>

# Create PR
gh pr create --title "<title>" --body "$(cat <<'EOF'
## Summary
<2-3 bullets of what changed>

## Test Plan
- [ ] <verification steps>
EOF
)"

Keep worktree until PR merged.

Option 3: Keep As-Is

Report: "Keeping branch . Worktree preserved at ."

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.

If confirmed:

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

Then: Cleanup worktree (Step 5)

Step 5: Cleanup Worktree

For Options 1 and 4:

Check if in worktree:

git worktree list | grep $(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)

Completion Format

If Merged (Option 1)

Branch merged → <base-branch>

Branch: <feature-branch> (deleted)
Worktree: <path> (removed if applicable)
Commits: [N commits merged]

Next: Start next task, or check project status

If PR Created (Option 2)

Pull request created → #<PR-number>

URL: <PR-URL>
Branch: <feature-branch>
Worktree: <path> (kept for now)

Next: Review PR, then merge/close and clean up worktree

If Kept (Option 3)

Branch preserved for future work

Branch: <feature-branch>
Worktree: <path> (kept)

Next: Resume work on branch or run this skill again when ready

If Discarded (Option 4)

Work discarded

Branch: <feature-branch> (deleted)
Worktree: <path> (removed if applicable)

Next: Start fresh or check project status

Red Flags

Never:

• Proceed with failing tests
• Merge without verifying tests on result
• Delete work without typed "discard" confirmation
• Force-push without explicit request
• Use this skill when .arcforge-epic exists

Always:

• Verify tests before offering options
• Present exactly 4 options
• Get typed confirmation for Option 4
• Clean up worktree for Options 1 & 4 only

Common Mistakes

Skipping test verification

• Problem: Merge broken code, create failing PR
• Fix: Always verify tests before offering options

Open-ended questions

• Problem: "What should I do next?" → ambiguous
• Fix: Present exactly 4 structured options

Automatic worktree cleanup

• Problem: Remove worktree when might need it (Option 2, 3)
• Fix: Only cleanup for Options 1 and 4

No confirmation for discard

• Problem: Accidentally delete work
• Fix: Require typed "discard" confirmation

Integration

Called by:

• arc-agent-driven - After all tasks complete
• arc-executing-tasks - After all tasks complete

Pairs with:

• arc-using-worktrees - Cleans up worktree created by that skill