Git Workflow for Trading Strategy Version Control

Version control is crucial for trading strategy development. Here's a Git workflow optimized for trading systems.

Branch Strategy

main ──────────────────────────────────
  ├── develop ──────────────────────────
  │     ├── feature/new-indicator ──────
  │     ├── feature/risk-update ────────
  │     └── experiment/ml-signals ──────
  └── production ──────────────────────

Commit Conventions for Trading

# Strategy changes
git commit -m "strategy: add RSI divergence filter to ES scalping"
git commit -m "strategy: adjust position sizing from 2% to 1.5% risk"

# Risk management
git commit -m "risk: implement trailing stop at 2ATR"
git commit -m "risk: add daily loss circuit breaker at $500"

# Data/indicators
git commit -m "data: add volume profile calculation"
git commit -m "indicator: implement VWAP with standard deviation bands"

# Backtesting
git commit -m "backtest: ES scalping 2024-2025 results (PF=1.8)"
git commit -m "backtest: walk-forward validation complete"

Tagging Strategy Versions

# Tag strategy versions with performance metrics
git tag -a v2.3.0 -m "ES Scalping v2.3
Win Rate: 58%
Profit Factor: 1.82
Max DD: $1,200
Sharpe: 2.1
Backtest Period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-12-31"

Configuration Management

# config.yml — tracked by git
strategy:
  name: "ES Scalping v2.3"
  symbol: "ES"
  timeframe: "5min"
  max_position: 3
  stop_loss_atr: 1.5
  take_profit_atr: 3.0

# secrets.yml — in .gitignore
api_key: "never_commit_this"

Best Practices

1. Never commit API keys or trading credentials
2. Tag every version with performance metrics
3. Branch for experiments — don't modify working strategies on main
4. Document changes in commit messages with reasoning
5. Backup before evaluation — create a snapshot before going live

Resources

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