SQLiteCpp Workflow

Change checklist

• Public API has Doxygen (@brief, @param, @return, @throw).
• Tests added under tests/.
• Build files updated (CMakeLists.txt, meson.build).
• CHANGELOG.md updated for user-facing changes (in a separate commit after opening the PR).

CHANGELOG conventions

Update CHANGELOG.md in the same PR that makes the change, but in a separate commit created after the PR is opened so the PR number is known. Add one line per PR under the current unreleased version heading (Version X.Y.Z - <year> ???). Create that heading if it does not exist yet.

• One bullet per PR: - <description> (#NNN). The PR number is the last token, in parentheses.
• Write in the imperative mood, present tense: "Add", "Fix", "Update", "Remove". Not "Added", "Fixes", or "Adding".
• Keep each entry to a single line that names the user-facing effect, not the internal mechanics.
• Put the SQLite version bump first when the release includes one (see [[sqlitecpp-update-sqlite]]).
• Order the rest roughly as features, fixes, build/CI, then docs and tooling.
• A change merged straight to master without a PR still gets a bullet; omit the (#NNN) and note it was committed directly to master.
• ASCII only, no em dashes. Run the entry through the humanizer skill before committing so the prose stays plain and free of AI tells.

Finalizing the version heading and tagging belong to the release process: see [[sqlitecpp-release]].

Workflow for CHANGELOG updates:

1. Commit source code changes (tests, implementation, etc.) in one or more atomic commits
2. Push the branch and open the PR to obtain the PR number
3. Create a separate commit adding only the CHANGELOG entry with the PR number
4. Push the CHANGELOG commit to the same branch

This keeps commits atomic (CHANGELOG is separate from code) and allows the PR number to be included in the CHANGELOG entry.

Pull requests

• Open PRs with gh pr create against master.
• The maintainer wants a short and tight PR description: one or two sentences on what the PR does and why, plus a brief bullet list only when it genuinely helps review. No filler, no restating the diff, no marketing. ASCII only, no em dashes; run it through humanizer if unsure.

Git commits and pushing

• Make small, atomic commits that each address a single logical change. Do not mix unrelated changes (e.g., bug fix + feature + formatting) in one commit.
• CHANGELOG.md updates must be in a separate commit from source code changes, created after the PR is opened so the PR number can be included.
• Each commit should be complete and self-contained: it must compile and pass tests independently.
• Before pushing a branch to the remote, ask the user for explicit permission stating the branch name and action (e.g., "Push branch update-sqlite-3.52.2 to origin?"). Push only after receiving approval.

Add a method

1. Declare in include/SQLiteCpp/<Class>.h with Doxygen.
2. Implement in src/<Class>.cpp.
3. Add tests in tests/<Class>_test.cpp.
4. Commit the changes from steps 1-3.
5. Push the branch and open the PR.
6. Add CHANGELOG entry with the PR number in a separate commit.

Add a class

1. Create include/SQLiteCpp/NewClass.h and src/NewClass.cpp.
2. Add files to CMakeLists.txt (SQLITECPP_SRC and SQLITECPP_INC).
3. Add files to meson.build.
4. Include in SQLiteCpp.h if public API.
5. Create tests/NewClass_test.cpp.
6. Add test to CMakeLists.txt and meson.build.
7. Commit all changes from steps 1-6.
8. Push the branch and open the PR.
9. Add CHANGELOG entry with the PR number in a separate commit.