Viewing your GitHub pull request history

Accessing the history of pull requests (PRs) on GitHub is essential for tracking changes, understanding project evolution, and auditing contributions. Whether you're reviewing past decisions or verifying merged changes, GitHub provides tools to view PR history efficiently. Additionally, Graphite's PR inbox offers advanced features for managing and tracking PR activities seamlessly.

Accessing pull request history in GitHub

To view the pull request history in your GitHub repository, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the repository: Go to the GitHub page of the repository where you want to view the pull request history.

2. Open the 'Pull requests' tab: Click on the 'Pull requests' tab at the top of the repository page. This tab displays both open and closed pull requests by default.

3. Filter for merged pull requests: To specifically view merged pull requests, use the filter dropdown labeled 'is:pr' and select 'is:merged'. This will refine the list to only show pull requests that have been merged into the repository.

4. Search pull request history: Use the search bar within the pull request tab to search for specific pull requests. You can search by title, contributor, branch, and more. For instance, entering "base:main type:pr state:closed" will show all closed pull requests to the main branch.

5. Review the PR details: Click on any pull request in the list to open its detailed view. Here, you can see all the discussions, commits, and files changed during the pull request review process.

Using Graphite's PR inbox to manage pull request history

Graphite’s PR inbox enhances how teams interact with pull request histories, making it easier to manage and organize PRs efficiently. It functions much like an email client specifically designed for pull requests.

Key features of Graphite’s PR inbox:

• Default Repositories: Set up to three repositories for free, or up to 30 for team and enterprise tiers, to display in your PR inbox.
• Inbox Sections: Graphite automatically creates sections such as 'Needs your review', 'Approved', 'Merging and recently merged', and more. You can also create and customize your sections based on your workflow.
• Filter and Search Capabilities: Use the built-in search function to quickly find pull requests across your synchronized repositories. Graphite supports fuzzy search across PR titles, descriptions, authors, and more, accessible via the PR inbox or the cmd + k shortcut.

Managing and customizing your PR inbox:

1. Add new sections: Customize your inbox by adding new sections with specific filters and preferences. Click the 'add new section' button under your existing sections.
2. Edit sections: Modify your existing sections by clicking the gear icon on the right side of the section header. Here, you can rearrange, delete, or share sections.
3. Share filters: Share your customized filters with teammates by generating a shareable link, allowing them to replicate your configurations.

Graphite’s PR inbox provides a centralized, organized platform to manage pull requests, making it a valuable tool for teams aiming for efficient project management.

Conclusion

Viewing and managing pull request histories in GitHub and with Graphite’s PR inbox can streamline your workflow and help maintain a clear historical record of your project's development. By leveraging these tools, teams can enhance their code review processes and collaboration.