How to request and assign pull request reviews in GitHub

GitHub provides a robust platform for managing code through pull requests (PRs), which help developers review code quality before merging into the main branch. This guide will explain how to request and assign pull request reviews in GitHub, using Graphite's PR inbox to streamline and enhance the review process.

How to request a PR review in GitHub

Requesting a PR review in GitHub is a pretty straightforward process. Here’s how to initiate a review:

1. Navigate to your repository: Open the GitHub repository where your code resides.
2. Create a pull request: If you haven’t already, push your branch to GitHub, click on 'Pull requests' and then on 'New pull request'. Select the base branch (main) and compare it with your feature branch.
3. Request a review: On the pull request page, you’ll find a section on the right-hand side labeled 'Reviewers'. Click on the gear icon next to it, and you’ll see a list of potential reviewers. You can select team members you want to review your PR. This action sends them a notification inviting them to review the code.

How to assign a pull request review in GitHub

Assigning a review manually is useful when specific expertise is required, or for balancing review workloads:

1. Access the pull request: Open the pull request you wish to assign for review.
2. Select reviewers: Use the 'Reviewers' section on the right-hand side of the PR page. You can choose one or more colleagues to review the PR.
3. Notify reviewers: Once assigned, GitHub notifies the reviewers through their GitHub account, prompting them to review the PR.

Utilizing Graphite's PR inbox for efficient review management

Graphite's PR inbox helps you stay organized and attentive to PRs requiring your review. It categorizes PRs into sections such as 'Needs your review', 'Approved', and 'Waiting for review', which can be customized and shared with teammates. This setup ensures that you never miss critical updates and can manage your review workload effectively.

Here’s how you can leverage Graphite for a better review process:

1. Set up your PR inbox: Log into your Graphite account and configure your default repositories. This determines which PRs appear in your inbox.
2. Customize your sections: Create and rearrange inbox sections according to your workflow needs. Use the 'add new section' and 'edit section' options for personalization.
3. Search and filter: Use Graphite’s search capabilities to find PRs by title, description, or author, making it easier to manage large volumes of requests.

Using GitHub with Graphite’s PR inbox speeds up the review process, making it more efficient and organized, all while helping teams deliver better, higher-quality software.