Version Control & Safe Experimentation — Exercise Pack

Exercises for the Version Control & Safe Experimentation chapter: Master Git workflows for AI-assisted development through hands-on practice

By Panaversity — Learn by Doing, Not by Reading

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Package Structure

claude-code-version-control-exercises/
├── EXERCISE-GUIDE.md                          # Full guide with all exercises
├── README.md                                   # This file
├── module-1-repo-foundations/
│   ├── exercise-1.1-project-kickoff/           # Build: Initialize a repo properly
│   └── exercise-1.2-repo-rescue/               # Debug: Fix a messy repo with secrets
├── module-2-change-tracking/
│   ├── exercise-2.1-ai-review-workflow/        # Build: Review-before-commit discipline
│   └── exercise-2.2-recovery-room/             # Debug: Three recovery scenarios
├── module-3-branch-strategies/
│   ├── exercise-3.1-three-approaches/          # Build: Parallel branching for competing ideas
│   └── exercise-3.2-branch-tangle/             # Debug: Untangle misplaced commits & conflicts
├── module-4-github-remote/
│   ├── exercise-4.1-cloud-safety-net/          # Build: Push to GitHub, verify backup
│   └── exercise-4.2-remote-troubles/           # Debug: Fix branch/remote/push problems
├── module-5-pull-requests/
│   ├── exercise-5.1-transparent-pr/            # Build: Create a PR with AI transparency
│   └── exercise-5.2-pr-cleanup/                # Debug: Fix three bad PR descriptions
├── module-6-workflow-docs/
│   ├── exercise-6.1-workflow-builder/          # Build: Create a team workflow document
│   └── exercise-6.2-pattern-audit/             # Debug: Find gaps that caused incidents
└── module-7-capstones/
    ├── capstone-A-full-stack-journey/          # Complete Git lifecycle in one project
    ├── capstone-B-portfolio-launch/            # Build a professional GitHub presence
    └── capstone-C-git-forensics/              # Investigate a crime-scene repository

How to Get Started

With Claude Code (Terminal) — Recommended

1. Open your terminal
2. Navigate to the exercise folder: cd module-1-repo-foundations/exercise-1.1-project-kickoff/
3. Read the instructions: cat INSTRUCTIONS.md
4. Start Claude Code and work through the exercise
5. Use Git commands directly in the terminal

Recommended Order

Work through one module per session. Each module has two exercises:

• X.1 (Build) — Create something from scratch. Do this first.
• X.2 (Debug) — Fix something broken. Apply what you learned in X.1.

Session	Module	Time Estimate
1	Module 1: Repository Foundations	60-90 min
2	Module 2: Change Tracking & Recovery	60-90 min
3	Module 3: Branch Strategies	60-90 min
4	Module 4: GitHub & Remote Workflows	60-90 min
5	Module 5: Pull Requests & Code Review	60-90 min
6	Module 6: Workflow Documentation	60-90 min
7	Module 7: Capstone (pick one)	2-4 hours

The Git Safety Framework

Use this mental checklist for every exercise:

1. Assess — What's the current state? (git status, git log, git branch)
2. Plan — What needs to happen? What's the safest path?
3. Protect — Create a safety net before risky changes (commit, branch, backup)
4. Execute — Run the commands with intention
5. Verify — Did it work? Check status, diff, log
6. Document — Record what happened and why (commit messages, workflow docs)

Prerequisites

• Git installed (git --version)
• Python 3.10+ installed (python --version)
• GitHub account (for Modules 4-5 and Capstones B-C)
• GitHub CLI recommended (gh --version)
• Claude Code access

Important Notes

• All API keys and secrets in these exercises are FAKE. They use the pattern FAKE-*-for-exercise.
• Setup scripts (setup.sh) create isolated Git repositories. They won't affect your other work.
• Each exercise is self-contained. You can skip ahead if you already know a topic.
• The capstones integrate all skills — attempt them only after completing Modules 1-6.