In my previous roles, I've extensively used Git and GitHub for version control, which are crucial for managing code changes and collaborating with team members. When it comes to managing merge conflicts, I typically start by pulling the latest changes from the main branch to ensure my local branch is up to date. If conflicts arise, I carefully review the conflicting files to understand the changes made by others and my own. I then resolve these conflicts by choosing the appropriate changes or merging them manually if needed. After resolving conflicts, I test the code to ensure everything works as expected before committing the changes. For branching, I follow a structured workflow, often using feature branches for new functionalities and hotfix branches for urgent bug fixes. This approach helps in maintaining a clean and organized codebase, allowing for efficient collaboration and integration of new features.