I have created a remote team of programmers to accomplish a specific task. Currently, there is a live website hosted on a paid platform that only I have access to. Since I am not personally acquainted with the programmers, I am reluctant to grant them unlimited access to the site code. Is there a way to delegate specific tasks, such as writing a plugin, without divulging complete access to the codebase?

As an additional suggestion, you could consider setting up a virtual development environment for your team members, which allows them to work on a copy of the site's code without risking any damage to the live site. This approach will offer a safe and collaborative setting for your team to complete their designated assignments.

In order to avoid granting complete access, you have the option of providing a precise and detailed assignment as a substitute. This might involve creating a plugin or script, for example, or taking on the task yourself.

Keep in mind that if you choose not to grant access, you will need to compile these tasks together.
As a suggestion, consider establishing clear guidelines and expectations upfront to ensure a successful outcome.

Consider adopting a version control system whereby you can create a replica, grant universal access, perform and evaluate any modifications or updates, and move stable versions to production.

Implementing this approach will ensure efficient management and tracking of changes made to your project, providing a stable and reliable final product. Additionally, it enables collaborative workspaces and easy integration of updates from diverse contributors.

To incorporate the MVC model into your project, consider utilizing a suitable framework. Grant access to the necessary files and folders depending on the task at hand. For instance, if creating a news feed, establish a feed folder in the models and controllers directories, and limit access to only those involved in development.

To prevent unauthorized access, restrict access to database tables. Employ a version control system such as git, to ensure seamless coordination among team members. However, too much regulation can impede project progress. As a suggestion, grant full access to the test server to facilitate ease of use, and transfer to production upon successful testing. It's also advisable to backup both production and test servers.

Finally, it may be necessary to have participants sign an NDA, although it may not always offer the desired level of protection. In case of potential legal issues, it's crucial to have experienced professionals, who cannot be easily influenced, evaluate the situation.

There are several ways to set up a virtual development environment, depending on your specific requirements and the technology stack you are working with. One common approach is to use tools like Docker or virtual machines to create an environment that mirrors the live site's configuration.

By providing your team with this sandboxed environment, you can delegate specific tasks such as writing a plugin while maintaining control over the production environment. This control provides an added layer of security and ensures that only approved changes are pushed to the live site.

Additionally, you can implement version control systems like Git to manage code changes and review any modifications before they are merged into the main codebase. This way, you can closely monitor the work of your team members and maintain oversight of the project while granting them limited access to specific tasks.

In addition to setting up a virtual development environment and utilizing version control systems, there are a few more steps you can take to delegate specific tasks without divulging complete access to the codebase:

1. Clearly define the scope of each task: Provide your team members with clear instructions and requirements for each task. This ensures that they understand what needs to be done without needing access to the entire codebase.

2. Create separate branches in your version control system: By creating separate branches for each task, you can isolate the work of individual team members. They can then work on their assigned tasks within their respective branches, keeping their changes separate from the main codebase until they are reviewed and approved.

3. Review and approve changes before merging: Implement a code review process where you or a designated person reviews the changes made by team members before they are merged into the main codebase. This allows you to maintain control and ensure that only approved changes are pushed to the live site.

4. Use access control and permissions: If possible, configure your code hosting platform to allow granular access control and permissions. This way, you can grant specific access to certain parts of the codebase for each team member based on their assigned tasks.

5. Monitor progress and communication: Regularly communicate with your team members to track their progress, provide guidance, and address any questions or concerns they may have. Encourage them to regularly update you on their work and discuss any potential issues that arise.

By implementing these steps, you can delegate specific tasks to your remote team without compromising the security and integrity of the codebase. It allows for collaboration while maintaining control over the live site and minimizing risks associated with granting unrestricted access.