Roadmap.txt

Git Genius Roadmap
Updated on: 2026-04-21

Current Release Status
- Build passes: `go build ./cmd/genius`
- Tests pass: `go test ./...`
- Versioned release flow exists through `VERSION`, build flags, installer, and `--version`

Recently Completed
- unified branch-sync behavior into one implementation
- replaced destructive branch switching with safe switch/create flows
- replaced remove/add remote updates with safe remote configuration
- removed hard-coded setup debug logging
- added hidden token entry on Linux
- added environment-token support through `GIT_GENIUS_GITHUB_TOKEN`
- added Git credential-helper setup and token preloading flow
- improved setup, Doctor, and limited-mode behavior
- added initial automated tests for config, history, token precedence, git safety helpers, and core push behavior
- completed Phase 1 core UX hardening work
- fixed multi-repo switching so changing projects no longer overwrites another repo's config
- added a Switch Project / Repo flow that can change directory, branch, and remote without full setup
- refreshed in-app help, README, and docs

Product Direction
Git Genius should stay focused on four things:

1. Safer Git flows for beginners
2. Faster common workflows for repeat users
3. Clearer setup, auth, and recovery guidance
4. Stronger automation and release quality over time

Core Principles
- single source of truth for Git state and config behavior
- safer defaults before adding more features
- guided workflows instead of cryptic Git errors
- docs and help text must match the actual shipped behavior
- automation should grow without breaking the interactive beginner UX

Current Product Shape
- Daily Git Operations
  - status
  - pull
  - smart pull
  - fetch
  - push
- Branch / Remote
  - switch existing branch
  - create new branch
  - configure remote safely
- Stash & Undo
  - stash save
  - stash list
  - stash pop
  - undo last commit
- Tools
  - setup / reconfigure
  - switch project / repo
  - create / link GitHub repository
  - Git auth / credential helper
  - change project directory (limited mode / simple directory switch)
  - Doctor
- Help / About
  - workflow guidance
  - GitHub/auth explanation
  - troubleshooting guidance

Roadmap

Phase 1: Core UX Hardening
Status: completed on 2026-04-21

- completed: clearer success/failure summaries after push and pull
- completed: ahead/behind status in the context panel when cheap to compute
- completed: explicit first-run detection for brand-new repos
- completed: improved empty-repo handling and first-push guidance
- completed: more actionable auth guidance directly after failed HTTPS pushes
- completed: more tests around setup and multi-project switching

Phase 2: Repo Insight
Target: after core UX hardening

- commit history viewer
- staged and unstaged diff summaries
- branch list with last-commit context
- remote overview screen
- optional unpushed-commit summary before push

Phase 2.5: Multi-Repo Workflow
Target: alongside repo insight work

- project switcher should show saved repo name, branch, and remote before confirmation
- recent-project list should prefer known Git repos over plain directories
- optional one-screen project dashboard for branch, remote, and GitHub repo repair
- add more automated tests for switching between multiple configured repos

Phase 3: Recovery and Conflict Guidance
Target: after repo insight

- richer stash conflict guidance
- merge/rebase conflict help screens
- clearer undo and recovery messaging
- optional "what changed" hints after pull or smart pull

Phase 4: Automation Mode
Target: medium term

- non-interactive flags for common actions
- environment-driven setup inputs
- machine-readable output mode for selected commands
- better scripting support without duplicating core logic

Phase 5: Packaging and Release Quality
Target: ongoing

- release artifacts per OS/arch
- installer smoke tests
- uninstall smoke tests
- stronger CI checks for formatting, build, and tests
- reproducible versioned builds

Phase 6: Documentation and Help Quality
Target: ongoing

- keep README, docs, and in-app help aligned with each release
- add screenshots or terminal walkthroughs for major flows
- add a migration guide when menu structure changes
- expand troubleshooting for auth, branch mismatch, and remote repair

Future Improvement Backlog
- shell completion
- optional commit-template suggestions
- GitHub PR workflow helpers
- recent-action dashboard
- per-repo quick shortcuts based on history
- safer remote renaming flows
- optional diff preview before commit

Quality Gates For Future Releases
- no destructive Git behavior for normal branch/remote operations
- setup, auth, and push flows tested end-to-end in temporary repos
- installer, binary version, and docs aligned in the same release
- new menu items documented in both help text and README
- future roadmap updates must distinguish completed work from planned work

Definition of Done For The Next Release
- multi-repo project switching works without repeating setup
- test coverage expanded for setup, project switching, and push/pull flows
- docs updated for any changed behavior
- release version bumped and installer verified

Summary
The foundation is now stable enough to move beyond cleanup work. The next priority is better repo insight and smoother multi-repo navigation, while keeping the app safe, predictable, and well documented.