What is the purpose of hotfix branches?

The purpose of hotfix branches is primarily to fix production issues that arise in a live system. When a critical problem or bug is identified in the production environment, it is essential to respond quickly to resolve the issue. Hotfix branches are utilized specifically for this purpose, allowing developers to isolate the fix from ongoing work on new features or other changes.

This approach enables a more efficient development workflow, as the hotfix can be implemented, tested, and deployed rapidly without interrupting the main development efforts. Once the hotfix is completed, it can be merged back into the main branch and any relevant development branches, ensuring that the fix is incorporated into future releases while keeping the integrity of the production environment intact.