Creating clear pull request (PR) titles and descriptions helps developers understand exactly what they are working on during code review. This guide outlines best practices for writing PR titles and descriptions, to make sure they are easily understandable and actionable. We'll also discuss how Graphite's PR inbox can enhance this process by keeping your PRs organized.
Clear PR titles
The title of a PR serves as the first point of interaction and sets the tone for what reviewers can expect. Here are some guidelines:
Be concise and specific: A clear PR title succinctly describes what the change does, not just what area it affects. For instance, instead of "Fix bug", use "Fix login button unresponsive issue on Safari".
Include relevant identifiers: If applicable, reference ticket numbers or project tags directly in the title to link the PR to related work items. For example, "Add search functionality - Ticket #123".
Avoid vague language: Specificity trumps ambiguity. A title like "Update CSS" is less informative compared to "Refine grid layout for better mobile responsiveness".
Use imperative mood: This aligns with the tone of git commit messages. For example, "Remove deprecated method in API" instead of "Removing".
Writing effective pull request descriptions
The description provides the context needed to understand the "why" and "how" of the changes made. Here’s how to craft effective PR descriptions:
Start with a summary: The first line or two should summarize the changes and their impact. This helps team members quickly grasp the purpose of the PR.
Link to additional resources: Include links to related issues, documentation, or any other resources that might help reviewers understand the context.
Break down the changes: Use bullet points or numbered lists to detail what was changed, why, and how. For example:
- Refactored authentication logic to simplify token handling
- Introduced caching for user profiles to decrease load times
- Fixed edge case where user session did not expire
Include testing steps or scenarios: Describe how to test the changes or what scenarios were considered during development, which can be crucial for testing complex changes.
Mention any out-of-scope work: If applicable, note what you didn’t do but plan to address in the future to keep the scope clear.
Graphite's PR inbox: a tool for organization
Graphite's PR inbox acts as a centralized location for your PRs to keep them organized and visible based on your needs. It allows you to:
- Sort PRs into sections such as 'Needs your review' or 'Waiting for review'.
- Customize views with filters: Tailor your inbox to show PRs based on specific criteria, enhancing focus and productivity.
- Search PRs effectively: Use fuzzy search across PR titles, descriptions, and more to find exactly what you need quickly.
For those on the Graphite Team and Enterprise tiers, you can manage up to 30 default repositories, making it easier to handle PRs across multiple projects. This tool is especially useful for maintaining clear oversight of PR statuses and ensuring that nothing slips through the cracks.
By following these best practices and utilizing tools like Graphite's PR inbox, you can enhance your team's code review process, making it more efficient and effective.
