How do you handle protected branches? Follow:

Short answer: A protected branch (like main) restricts direct commits or merges unless specific rules are met. You can configure: Require pull request reviews Require status checks (tests) to pass Restrict who can push Prevent force pushes or deletions Example: You protect the main branch to ensure developers can only merge code through PRs that have passed CI checks and received approval — preventing accidental overwrites.

Real-world example (ShopNest)

Feature work for “UPI payment” lives on feature/upi-payment. Open a PR to main; resolve conflicts before merge.

Say this in the interview

1. Define — one clear sentence (the short answer above).
2. Example — relate it to a project like ShopNest or your real work.
3. Trade-off — when you would not use it.