What action does Copado take if the feature branch does not exist yet?

When a feature branch does not exist yet, Copado initiates the process of creating that new feature branch. This mechanism is essential because it allows developers to work on new features or fixes in isolation, ensuring that the main branch remains stable and free from incomplete changes. By automatically handling the branch creation, Copado streamlines the development workflow, reduces the risk of errors caused by manual processes, and enhances collaboration among team members.

The other options describe actions that do not align with how Copado is designed to function in terms of branch management. Specifically, doing nothing would leave the developer without the capability to progress on their task, while merging with the main branch or creating a duplicate branch would introduce potential conflicts or unnecessary confusion in version control. Therefore, the approach of automatically starting the feature branch creation process is both efficient and effective, promoting a smoother development cycle.