Chapter 2 – Testing Throughout the SDLC
Trunk-Based Development – ISTQB Definition
Last Updated: July 12, 2026 · SoftwareTestPilot QA Team
Official ISTQB Definition
A source-control branching model where developers collaborate on code in a single branch (‘trunk’) and use techniques like feature flags to release work in progress.
In simple words
Everyone commits to main every day; long-lived branches are avoided.
Exam tip
Trunk-based development is a prerequisite for effective CI.
Related terms
- Continuous Integration (CI)Every code push triggers a build + automated tests so problems surface within minutes.
- Feature FlagA switch in config that hides or shows a feature to users.
- DevOpsDev and Ops share ownership of building, shipping and running the product — automation and CI/CD glue it together.
Practice this term in the ISTQB Mock Test
40 CTFL v4.0 questions, 60-minute timer, instant scoring and chapter-wise breakdown.
Practice in Mock Test