Pull Requests Without the Pain: A Beginner’s Guide to Reviewing and Merging Code

Development & Code
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:shuffle_tracks_button: Pull Requests Explained Simply

How to review, discuss, and merge changes like a pro — without the jargon
:speech_balloon::shuffle_tracks_button::white_check_mark::busts_in_silhouette:

:warning: Note:
This guide is written for solo developers working independently with Git.
If you’re working in a team or contributing to shared repositories, some practices may differ.
A follow-up guide on team workflows, conflict handling, and collaboration best practices is coming soon.

Pull requests (PRs) are how teams collaborate on code — and how solo devs keep their history clean and structured. If you’re using GitHub, learning how PRs work will instantly make you a better contributor.

:brick: What Is a Pull Request?

At its core, a pull request is a proposal:

“I made changes in a branch — here’s what I did, why I did it, and I’d like to merge this into the main project.”

It creates a safe review zone where others (or just Future You) can:

  • See the changes side-by-side (diff view)
  • Comment or ask questions
  • Approve or suggest edits
  • Automatically check for merge issues

:hammer_and_wrench: When Should You Make a Pull Request?

Any time you’re done with a feature, bug fix, or experiment in a branch, make a PR.

Good moments to open one:

  • You added a new feature and tested it locally
  • You fixed a bug and want someone to double-check
  • You’re ready to merge changes from your dev branch into main

You don’t need to wait until it’s perfect. PRs are where feedback happens.

:test_tube: What Happens During a PR?

  1. You open the PR: Choose a source (your branch) and a destination (usually main or dev)
  2. Review kicks off: GitHub shows a summary of all changes. You or teammates can leave comments
  3. Fixes/changes: You can push more commits to the same branch — they’ll show up in the PR
  4. Final review: Everyone agrees it’s good to go
  5. Merge: Hit the button. GitHub takes care of the rest

:handshake: Solo Devs: Why Bother With PRs?

You might think: “It’s just me, why add extra steps?”

Here’s why:

  • Cleaner history with a clear description of each change
  • A safe space to test merge conflicts
  • Optional CI/CD checks (like automated tests or linting)
  • Easier to revert or reference changes later

You’re creating a logbook for Future You.

:warning: Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Merging without review: If you’re on a team, don’t skip the review process
  • Forgetting to update your branch: Always pull the latest main/dev before merging
  • Using PRs as a backup: They aren’t a replacement for commits or pushing often

:white_check_mark: Best Practices

  • Keep pull requests focused — don’t mix bug fixes with new features
  • Write a clear title and summary for your PR
  • Tag reviewers or assign yourself if solo
  • Use draft PRs if it’s not ready yet, but you want to start feedback early

:brain: TL;DR

  • PRs let you review, discuss, and safely merge code
  • Always branch → edit → PR → review → merge
  • They’re not just for teams — solo devs benefit too

:file_folder: Coming Up Next:
We’ll tackle Forking vs Cloning — and why most beginners use them wrong.