How to merge pull requests locally

Merging a pull request locally is a Git workflow that allows you to integrate changes from a remote repository into your local development branch before officially finalizing the merge on GitHub. This guide will walk you through how to merge a pull request locally using both Git commands and Graphite CLI, a tool that enhances your Git workflows.

How to merge a pull request locally with Git

Here are the steps to merge a pull request locally using Git:

1. Fetch the changes from the remote repository: Ensure your local repository is up-to-date with the remote repository.

   Terminal

   git fetch origin
   
   

2. Check out the branch you want to merge: Switch to the branch that has the pull request.

   Terminal

   git checkout feature-branch
   
   

3. Pull the changes to your local system: Merge the changes from the remote feature branch into your local branch.

   Terminal

   git pull origin feature-branch
   
   

4. Merge the changes into your local main branch: Check out the main branch and merge the feature branch into it.

   Terminal

   git checkout main
   git merge feature-branch
   
   

5. Resolve any conflicts: If there are conflicts, Git will pause the merge and ask you to resolve them. Once resolved, you can continue the merge process.

6. Test the merged code: Before pushing the merge back to the remote repository, thoroughly test the code to ensure it works as expected.

How to merge a pull request locally with Graphite CLI

Graphite CLI simplifies managing complex stacks of changes, including merging pull requests. Here's how to merge a pull request locally using Graphite CLI:

1. Sync your local repository: Keep your local repository synchronized with the remote.

   Terminal

   gt sync
   
   

2. Check out the branch associated with the PR: Use the Graphite CLI to check out the branch for the pull request.

   Terminal

   gt checkout feature-branch
   
   

3. Merge the PR locally: With the branch checked out, you can merge it into your main branch.

   Terminal

   gt checkout main
   gt merge feature-branch
   
   

4. Resolve conflicts with Graphite’s tools: If there are any conflicts, Graphite CLI provides tools to handle them smoothly.

   Terminal

   gt continue
   
   

5. Test and finalize the merge: Test the changes locally. If everything works as expected, you can push the merged changes back to the remote repository.

   Terminal

   git push origin main
   
   

Summary

Merging pull requests locally allows developers to test changes in their environment, resolving potential conflicts and issues before the changes affect the main or master branch. By using Graphite CLI, you can integrate changes more efficiently. Whether you prefer traditional Git commands or Graphite’s enhanced functionality, both methods provide robust solutions for managing and integrating pull requests locally.