7 Common Merge Types in Azure DevOps Projects
Learn about 7 merge types in Azure DevOps, including squash, rebase, and fast-forward merges. Optimize your Git workflow with right merge strategy.
In software development, collaboration is at the heart of building scalable and reliable applications. One of the most critical parts of this collaboration happens during code integration, where multiple developers’ contributions must be merged into a single, stable codebase. That’s where Azure DevOps merge types come in.
Azure DevOps offers several merge strategies that determine how changes from different branches are integrated. Choosing the right merge type affects not just the project’s version history but also how easily teams can track, review, and maintain code.
Whether you’re working with an azure development company or managing an internal DevOps team, understanding these merge types ensures smoother integrations, fewer conflicts, and a cleaner project history.
Key Takeaways
-Azure DevOps supports multiple merge types suited to different workflows — from feature development to hotfixes and releases.
-Choosing the right merge type ensures consistent history and efficient collaboration.
-Teams should define merge policies early in the project lifecycle to avoid confusion and maintain high-quality version control.
7 Azure Devops Merge Types Are As Follows:
1. Merge Commit
The Merge Commit is the default merge strategy in Azure DevOps. When a developer merges a feature branch into the main branch, a new commit is created to combine the histories of both branches.
This approach keeps a full record of all changes, which is helpful for audit trails and debugging. Every merge shows exactly when and how different features were integrated.
When to Use:
-Large teams with multiple contributors.
-Projects requiring detailed version history.
Advantages:
-Preserves complete commit history.
-Clearly indicates when merges occurred.
-Ideal for projects needing traceability.
Drawbacks:
-The commit history can become cluttered.
-Makes rebasing or cherry-picking more complex later.
2. Squash Merge
A Squash Merge condenses all commits from a branch into a single commit before merging. Instead of having several small commits (like “bug fix,” “style update,” etc.), you get one clean, summarized commit in the main branch.
This helps maintain a linear and simplified commit history — ideal for smaller teams or projects where detailed commit tracking isn’t necessary.
When to Use:
-Short-lived feature branches.
-Teams emphasizing readability over granular commit history.
Advantages:
-Clean, easy-to-read history.
-Great for smaller updates or fixes.
-Easier rollback and review process.
Drawbacks:
-Original commit details are lost.
-May make debugging harder if multiple changes were squashed.
3. Rebase and Fast-Forward Merge
The Rebase and Fast-Forward Merge method rewrites the commit history by moving (or “replaying”) the feature branch commits on top of the target branch. This ensures a linear progression of commits without a merge commit.
When to Use:
-Projects requiring a strictly linear history.
-Teams that frequently update feature branches before merging.
Advantages:
-Maintains a clean and straightforward project timeline.
-Prevents unnecessary merge commits.
-Helps keep the history easy to navigate.
Drawbacks:
-Can cause conflicts if the branch diverges significantly.
-Should be used carefully to avoid overwriting history.
4. Semi-Linear Merge (Rebase then Merge)
The Semi-Linear Merge combines the advantages of rebasing and merging. It first rebases the feature branch onto the target branch and then performs a traditional merge commit.
This method gives you the traceability of merge commits while keeping a linear history.
When to Use:
-Complex projects with multiple parallel feature branches.
-Teams needing both history clarity and audit trail.
Advantages:
-Balances readability and traceability.
-Reduces potential conflicts during integration.
Drawbacks:
-Requires careful execution and understanding of both rebase and merge.
5. Fast-Forward Only Merge
The Fast-Forward Only Merge doesn’t create a merge commit. It simply moves the branch pointer forward if the source branch is directly ahead of the target. If the branches have diverged, the merge is rejected.
This enforces a strict linear history, ensuring there are no unintended merges.
When to Use:
-Automated CI/CD pipelines.
-Projects enforcing strict version sequencing.
Advantages:
-Clean, uninterrupted history.
-Prevents unnecessary merge commits.
-Perfect for release automation.
Drawbacks:
-Not possible if branches have diverged.
-Can be restrictive for collaborative teams.
6. Cherry-Pick Merge
A Cherry-Pick Merge allows developers to apply specific commits from one branch to another instead of merging the entire branch.
This is especially useful in production environments, where you might need to apply a hotfix from a development branch without merging all in-progress features.
When to Use:
-Urgent bug fixes or hotfix deployments.
-Applying selective features to multiple versions of the app.
Advantages:
-Flexibility to merge specific changes.
-Useful for backporting fixes.
Drawbacks:
-May cause duplication in commit history.
-Requires discipline to manage correctly.
7. Manual Merge
When automated merges fail due to conflicting changes, a Manual Merge is required. In this case, developers resolve conflicts locally and then push the resolved code.
While manual merges can be time-consuming, they are crucial for maintaining code accuracy and stability in complex projects.
When to Use:
-Highly collaborative environments.
-Conflicting changes across long-lived branches.
Advantages:
-Full control over the resolution process.
-Ensures no automated merge breaks the build.
Drawbacks:
-Time-intensive.
-Risk of introducing errors if conflicts aren’t resolved carefully.
How to Choose the Right Merge Type?
The right merge type depends on your team size, project complexity, and release strategy. For example:
-Merge Commit – great for large teams that value traceability.
-Squash Merge – best for smaller projects and simple workflows.
-Rebase and Fast-Forward – for maintaining linear, elegant histories.
-Cherry-Pick – ideal for production fixes and patch releases.
Organizations working with experienced azure development services providers often establish merge policies as part of their DevOps pipelines. These policies help automate reviews, enforce branch protection rules, and ensure consistent code management practices across distributed teams.
Best Practices for Managing Merges in Azure DevOps
1.Define Branching Strategies Early – Establish clear naming conventions and branching models (e.g., GitFlow, Trunk-Based) before coding begins.
2.Automate with Pull Requests – Use PR templates, reviewers, and build validations to maintain consistency.
3.Review Regularly – Encourage peer reviews to catch conflicts and improve code quality.
4.Use Merge Policies – Restrict or allow specific azure devops merge types to maintain project standards.
5.Leverage DevOps Dashboards – Monitor merge metrics, review times, and failed merges for better insights.
Working with an expert azure application development services team can help you implement these practices effectively. They can set up automated CI/CD pipelines, enforce branch policies, and maintain consistency across development environments — all while ensuring faster, conflict-free releases.
FAQs
What is the difference between a merge commit and a squash merge?
A merge commit keeps the entire branch history intact, while a squash merge combines all commits into a single entry, simplifying the commit log.
Can I restrict merge types in Azure DevOps?
Yes. Azure DevOps allows you to set repository-level policies to allow or disallow specific merge types like rebase or squash.
Which merge type is ideal for production hotfixes?
The Cherry-Pick Merge is best for applying targeted fixes or updates to production without merging unrelated development work.
Conclusion
Understanding Azure DevOps merge types is essential for maintaining clean version control, reducing conflicts, and improving collaboration in modern development environments. Each merge strategy serves a unique purpose — from ensuring traceability to simplifying commit history.
By defining clear branching policies and collaborating with a professional company, your team can optimize merge operations, enhance code quality, and streamline releases with confidence.