Totally agree, shared remote branches are a good idea to build new features. A remote branch allows you to leverage CI in advance of merging and to discuss a work in progress with a team member, for more details see <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;doc.gitlab.com&#x2F;ee&#x2F;workflow&#x2F;gitlab_flow.html" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;doc.gitlab.com&#x2F;ee&#x2F;workflow&#x2F;gitlab_flow.html</a>