Handling large pull requests (PRs) can be challenging, especially when they encompass numerous changes across many files and involve several team members. This guide will explore best practices for managing large PRs in GitHub and introduce Graphite's PR inbox, which simplifies this process.
Why large PRs are challenging
Large pull requests can slow down the code review process, increase the risk of merge conflicts, and make it harder to track changes and their impacts. Efficiently managing large PRs is key for maintaining a smooth and effective development workflow.
Best practices for managing large PRs
1. Break down large PRs
The first step in managing large PRs is to avoid them altogether by breaking changes into smaller, manageable pieces. This approach makes PRs easier to review, test, and merge. Stacking pull requests, where you build smaller, incremental changes atop one another, can further streamline this process, making it simpler to manage dependencies and reduce the cognitive load for reviewers.
2. Use descriptive titles and detailed descriptions
A clear title and a comprehensive description that includes the context, the changes made, and the reasons behind them can significantly ease the review process. Check out this guide for best practices on creating details PR descriptions.
3. Leverage draft PRs
Draft pull requests in GitHub are a great way to get early feedback on work in progress without the pressure of immediate merging. This allows for iterative improvements based on team input.
4. Implement descriptive commit messages
Good commit messages provide context for each change. They should be clear and concise, reflecting the nature of the update and the reasoning behind it. Check out this guide for some tips on how to write solid commit messages.
5. Organize changes into commits logically
Organizing your changes into logical commits helps reviewers understand the flow of changes and makes the history easier to follow.
6. Request reviews from appropriate team members
Tagging the right people for reviews ensures that those with the relevant expertise can provide valuable feedback.
Using Graphite's PR inbox to manage large PRs
Using Graphite's PR inbox alongside your GitHub workflow allows you to manage large PRs more effectively by providing an organized, accessible platform that simplifies the tracking and reviewing of extensive changes. Here’s more on how it can help:
Default and custom sections
Graphite automatically creates sections such as 'Needs your review', 'Approved', and 'Merging and recently merged'. You can also create custom sections with filters tailored to your specific workflow needs, helping you prioritize and organize PRs efficiently.
Sharing and collaboration
You can share your customized PR sections with teammates by generating a shareable link. This feature ensures everyone can adopt standardized review processes that align with project requirements.
Searching within PRs
Graphite supports fuzzy searching across PR titles, descriptions, authors, and more, which helps you quickly find the PRs you need to focus on.
Summary
While managing large pull requests in GitHub can be daunting, following best practices and utilizing tools like Graphite's PR inbox can simplify the process. By breaking down changes, maintaining clear documentation, and leveraging efficient tools, your team can handle large PRs effectively, leading to smoother and faster development cycles.
