Creating and Managing Pull Requests on GitHub

Summary:
Step-by-step guide to creating and reviewing pull requests.

Pull requests are at the heart of collaborative development on GitHub. They provide a structured way for developers to propose changes, review code, and merge updates into projects. Whether you’re a newbie or an experienced developer, understanding pull requests is essential for productive open source and team-based workflows. This guide will walk you through creating, reviewing, and managing pull requests on GitHub.

Table of Contents

  1. What is a Pull Request?
  2. When to Use Pull Requests
  3. Creating a Pull Request
  4. Reviewing a Pull Request
  5. Merging and Closing Pull Requests
  6. Tips for Effective Pull Requests
  7. Conclusion

What is a Pull Request?

A pull request (PR) is a workflow in GitHub for submitting your changes to be merged into a branch (commonly the main or master branch) of a repository. With pull requests, you can:

  • Propose changes
  • Collaborate on code review
  • Discuss ideas and implementation details
  • Run automated tests and checks

Pull requests are essential for maintaining code quality, promoting teamwork, and tracking project history.

When to Use Pull Requests

Use pull requests anytime you want a teammate to review your work before it’s merged into the main codebase. Common scenarios include:

  • Adding new features
  • Fixing bugs
  • Updating documentation
  • Refactoring code

Maintainers of public or team repositories often require PRs for all changes to keep code review consistent.

Creating a Pull Request

Follow these steps to create a pull request on GitHub:

1. Fork and Clone the Repository

If you don’t have write access, fork the repository to your account:

git clone https://github.com/your-username/repository-name.git
cd repository-name

2. Create a Branch

Always make changes on a new branch:

git checkout -b my-feature-branch

3. Commit and Push Your Changes

Make edits, then stage and commit your files:

git add .
git commit -m "Add new feature"
git push origin my-feature-branch

4. Open the Pull Request

  1. Go to your repository on GitHub.
  2. Click the Compare & pull request button next to your branch.
  3. Provide a descriptive title and detailed description (include context, motivation, or related issues).
  4. Assign reviewers, labels, or projects as needed.
  5. Click Create pull request.

Tip: Use pull request templates if the repo provides them, for consistency.

Reviewing a Pull Request

As a reviewer or project maintainer, your role is to ensure code quality and project consistency. Here’s how to review:

1. Navigate to the Pull Requests Tab

Select the PR you want to review.

2. Check Commits and Files Changed

Review the code using the Commits and Files changed tabs for clarity and correctness.

3. Leave Comments

You can:

  • Leave inline comments on specific code lines
  • Provide overall feedback at the bottom
  • Request changes or ask questions

4. Approve or Request Changes

  • Click Approve if the PR is ready.
  • Or Request changes if further work is needed.
  • Optionally, suggest changes with code snippets.

5. Wait for Updates or Merge When Ready

After changes are made, review again and approve for merging.

Merging and Closing Pull Requests

Once a PR is reviewed and approved, it’s ready to be merged.

1. Merge Options

  • Merge pull request: Combine all commits with a merge commit.
  • Squash and merge: Combine all commits into one.
  • Rebase and merge: Apply commits on top of the base branch.

Choose the method your team prefers.

2. Confirm the Merge

After merging, delete the feature branch if no longer needed (recommended for tidiness).

3. Close Stale or Rejected PRs

If a PR is not going to be merged, close it with a comment explaining why.

Tips for Effective Pull Requests

  • Keep PRs Small: Limit PR size for easier and faster reviews.
  • Provide Context: Add screenshots, issue numbers, and clear descriptions.
  • Follow Coding Standards: Write code that matches the project’s style and guidelines.
  • Respond Promptly: Engage with feedback and update your PR as needed.
  • Use Draft PRs: For works in progress or to get early feedback.

Conclusion

Pull requests are foundational for successful team and open-source software development on GitHub. By following these steps and best practices, you can create, review, and manage pull requests with confidence, leading to better collaboration and higher quality code.

Ready to start?
Open your next pull request and elevate your collaborative coding!

Further Reading

Back to All Articles