# Pull

> Pull latest origin/main into the current local branch and resolve merge conflicts (aka update-branch). Use when Codex needs to sync a feature branch with origin, perform a merge-based update (not rebase), and guide conflict resolution best practices.

- Skill: `eddieran/pull` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add eddieran/pull`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/eddieran/pull/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: eddieran (https://skillmd.com/u/eddieran)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/eddieran/pull

---


# Pull

## Workflow

1. Verify git status is clean or commit/stash changes before merging.
2. Ensure rerere is enabled locally:
   - `git config rerere.enabled true`
   - `git config rerere.autoupdate true`
3. Confirm remotes and branches:
   - Ensure the `origin` remote exists.
   - Ensure the current branch is the one to receive the merge.
4. Fetch latest refs:
   - `git fetch origin`
5. Sync the remote feature branch first:
   - `git pull --ff-only origin $(git branch --show-current)`
   - This pulls branch updates made remotely (for example, a GitHub auto-commit)
     before merging `origin/main`.
6. Merge in order:
   - Prefer `git -c merge.conflictstyle=zdiff3 merge origin/main` for clearer
     conflict context.
7. If conflicts appear, resolve them (see conflict guidance below), then:
   - `git add <files>`
   - `git commit` (or `git merge --continue` if the merge is paused)
8. Verify with project validation commands:
   ```bash
   go build ./...
   go test ./... -count=1
   go vet ./...
   test -z "$(gofmt -l .)"
   ```
9. Summarize the merge:
   - Call out the most challenging conflicts/files and how they were resolved.
   - Note any assumptions or follow-ups.

## Conflict Resolution Guidance (Best Practices)

- Inspect context before editing:
  - Use `git status` to list conflicted files.
  - Use `git diff` or `git diff --merge` to see conflict hunks.
  - Use `git diff :1:path/to/file :2:path/to/file` and
    `git diff :1:path/to/file :3:path/to/file` to compare base vs ours/theirs
    for a file-level view of intent.
  - With `merge.conflictstyle=zdiff3`, conflict markers include:
    - `<<<<<<<` ours, `|||||||` base, `=======` split, `>>>>>>>` theirs.
  - Summarize the intent of both changes, decide the semantically correct
    outcome, then edit.
- Prefer minimal, intention-preserving edits:
  - Keep behavior consistent with the branch's purpose.
  - Avoid accidental deletions or silent behavior changes.
- Resolve one file at a time and rerun tests after each logical batch.
- Use `ours/theirs` only when you are certain one side should win entirely.
- For complex conflicts, search for related files or definitions to align with
  the rest of the codebase.
- After resolving, ensure no conflict markers remain:
  - `git diff --check`

## When To Ask The User (Keep To A Minimum)

Do not ask for input unless there is no safe, reversible alternative. Prefer
making a best-effort decision, documenting the rationale, and proceeding.

Ask the user only when:

- The correct resolution depends on product intent or behavior not inferable
  from code, tests, or nearby documentation.
- The conflict crosses a user-visible contract, API surface, or migration where
  choosing incorrectly could break external consumers.
- A conflict requires selecting between two mutually exclusive designs with
  equivalent technical merit and no clear local signal.
- The merge introduces data loss, schema changes, or irreversible side effects
  without an obvious safe default.

Otherwise, proceed with the merge, explain the decision briefly in notes, and
leave a clear, reviewable commit history.