Table of contents
- Understanding pull request approvals in GitHub
- Advanced GitHub pull request review settings
- Graphite's PR inbox enhancements
- Frequently asked questions
- Summary
Pull requests (PRs) play an important role in maintaining the integrity of code in version-controlled projects, and managing PR approvals and reviews efficiently ensures that only high-quality code makes its way into your project. GitHub actually offers several mechanisms to handle this, and when paired with Graphite's PR inbox, you can optimize how you manage the process of approvals and reviews even further.
Understanding pull request approvals in GitHub
When a pull request is created, it can be configured to require approvals from one or more reviewers before it can be merged. This ensures that code is double-checked to maintain high standards and catch potential errors early on.
Pull request approval process
The pull request approval process typically involves:
- Reviewing the changes made.
- Running automated tests.
- Checking the compatibility and impact on the existing codebase.
- Approving the PR if everything is satisfactory or requesting changes if not.
Using GitHub, you can configure the review settings to require approvals from specific team members or groups, ensuring that the right eyes review every change.
How to accept a pull request on GitHub
To accept a pull request on GitHub, simply navigate to the pull request page. Go to the "Files changed" tab and click on "Review changes." You can approve, comment, or request changes. If you're satisfied with the changes, click "Approve," and then "Merge pull request" to merge the changes into the main branch.
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Advanced GitHub pull request review settings
You can enhance your project's security and compliance by adjusting the GitHub pull request review settings. For instance, you can:
- Require reviews from code owners.
- Disallow approvals from the PR author (self-approval).
- Block merges until specified automated checks pass.
These settings help enforce that all changes meet your project's required standards before being merged.
Graphite's PR inbox enhancements
Graphite's PR inbox enhances the review process by organizing pull requests into sections such as "Needs your review," "Approved," and "Waiting for review." You can customize these sections and even share configurations with teammates.
Handling special scenarios
Pull request was received after approval: In some teams, developers might self-approve their pull requests due to small changes or urgent fixes. However, this practice can be risky. Graphite Protections offers fine-grained approval controls at the individual PR level, offering team's more granular control of the approval process to prevent code from being merged in without proper review.
Pull request has been self-approved: In some teams, developers might self-approve their pull requests due to small changes or urgent fixes. However, this practice can be risky. Graphite's PR inbox can be configured to flag such PRs and bring them to the team's attention, ensuring they don't go unnoticed.
GitHub merge pull request without approval: This can be disabled in the repository settings to ensure every change is reviewed.
GitHub approve pull request without merge: Reviewers can approve a PR without merging it to indicate acceptance while waiting for others to review or certain conditions to be met.
Summary
Managing pull request approvals and reviews with GitHub and Graphite ensures a secure and efficient review process. By setting up detailed PR review settings and utilizing Graphite's organizational tools, your team can maintain high code quality and project standards.
Ready to streamline your PR workflow? Get started with Graphite to transform how your team manages pull requests. With Graphite's powerful CLI and intuitive web interface, you can create, organize, and review stacked pull requests more efficiently than ever before.
Frequently asked questions
How to effectively review pull requests?
Follow these key steps for effective PR reviews:
- Read the context: Understand the PR description and linked issues
- Check code quality: Look for logic errors, security issues, and coding standards compliance
- Test when possible: Pull the branch locally to verify functionality
- Provide specific feedback: Suggest improvements rather than just pointing out problems
- Use appropriate review actions: Choose "Request changes," "Approve," or "Comment" based on your findings
What is the etiquette for pull request review?
Follow these etiquette guidelines:
- Be constructive: Focus on the code, not the person. Use phrases like "Consider changing..." instead of "This is wrong."
- Respond quickly: Aim to review PRs within 24-48 hours
- Focus on important issues: Avoid nitpicking minor style preferences
- Ask questions: Request clarification when something isn't clear
- Acknowledge good work: Provide positive feedback for well-written code
What is the best practice for pull requests?
Key best practices:
- Keep PRs small: Aim for changes that can be reviewed in 30 minutes or less
- Write clear descriptions: Include the problem, solution approach, and testing done
- Include tests: Add or update tests for new functionality or bug fixes
- Self-review first: Review your own PR before requesting reviews from others
- Use draft PRs: For work-in-progress changes to get early feedback
How can review requests be managed in a GitHub pull request?
Effective review management includes:
- Assign the right reviewers: Choose reviewers with expertise in the changed areas
- Use GitHub's features: Assign specific reviewers, use team assignments, and leverage code owner reviews
- Set up branch protection: Require reviews from specific people or teams before merging
- Organize with Graphite: Use Graphite's PR inbox to prioritize review tasks with sections like "Needs your review"
- Monitor and follow up: Track pending reviews and follow up if reviews are delayed