Pull request
Also written: PR, PR creation, Pull request cycle time, PR cycle time, Merge requests, MR, Stacked pull requests
A request to merge code changes from one branch into another, used for collaborative software development and code review.
A pull request, or PR, is a way for developers to propose changes to a shared codebase. Think of it like suggesting edits to a document that many people are working on. One person makes changes in their own copy, then opens a "pull request" to ask others to review their work and consider adding it to the main project.
For example, if a developer wants to add a new feature or fix a bug, they create a pull request. Other team members can then look at the proposed code, leave comments, suggest improvements, and finally approve or reject the changes. This process helps ensure code quality and collaboration.
A pull request is a mechanism in distributed version control systems, most commonly Git, that allows a contributor to propose changes to a repository. It serves as a formal request to merge code from one branch (often a feature branch) into another (typically the main branch). The PR facilitates code review, discussion, and automated checks before integration, ensuring code quality and maintainability in collaborative development environments.
AI tools are increasingly integrated into the software development lifecycle, specifically in code review processes. Recent news highlights how AI can accelerate code review, catch errors, and manage code across projects, directly impacting the efficiency of pull request cycles. This suggests AI is becoming a key partner in collaborative coding, aiming to reduce bottlenecks and speed up development.
- Quoting Addy Osmani, Morgan Westlee Lunt, and Qing WangAnthropic · Simon Willison ·
- Multi-repo support and other improvements for GitHub Copilot in Slack and Microsoft TeamsMicrosoft · GitHub Changelog: Copilot ·
- Code review is no longer the bottleneckOpenAI · OpenAI on YouTube ·
- OpenAI gives Codex reusable cloud environments that work across devicesOpenAI · TechCrunch AI ·
- Usage metrics API adds pull request review stagesMicrosoft · GitHub Changelog: Copilot ·
- Security researchers used Claude to help them hack into OpenAIAnthropic · The Verge AI ·
- Claude Code relaunches Projects to manage multiple AI agents in the cloudAnthropic · The Verge AI ·
- Anthropic Cookbook: Merge pull request #879 from anthropics/cj-ant/move-slack-sentry-apps-to-quickstartsAnthropic · Anthropic Cookbook ·
- 1Password increases engineering productivity 21% with CodexOpenAI · OpenAI News ·
- Scaling cyber defenders with DaybreakOpenAI · OpenAI Developers Blog ·
- Custom Code Review rules for CodexOpenAI · OpenAI Developers Blog ·
- GitHub Copilot app for Beginners: Automate Dependabot pull request triageMicrosoft · GitHub Blog: Copilot ·
- GitHub Copilot app for Beginners: Managing your workMicrosoft · GitHub Blog: Copilot ·
- Cursor's Origin hits GitHub on its worst dayOpenAI · The Rundown AI ·
- Anthropic Cookbook: Merge pull request #832 from anthropics/aravind-ant/fix-diagram-and-formatAnthropic · Anthropic Cookbook ·
- Anthropic Cookbook: Merge pull request #824 from anthropics/benlehrburger/cost-optimization-cookbookAnthropic · Anthropic Cookbook ·
- Stacked sessions and pull requests in the GitHub Copilot appMicrosoft · GitHub Blog: Copilot ·
- Warp’s big bet on building open source with GPT-5.5OpenAI · OpenAI News ·
- How Ramp engineers accelerate code review with CodexOpenAI · OpenAI News ·
- Datadog uses Codex for system-level code reviewOpenAI · OpenAI News ·
- GPT-5.1-Codex-Max System CardOpenAI · OpenAI News ·
- Anthropic Courses (GitHub): Merge pull request #97 from jennarbates/patch-1Anthropic · Anthropic Courses (GitHub) ·
- Anthropic Courses (GitHub): Merge pull request #101 from padickinson/patch-1Anthropic · Anthropic Courses (GitHub) ·
- Shipping code faster with o3, o4-mini, and GPT-4.1OpenAI · OpenAI News ·
- Introducing CodexOpenAI · OpenAI News ·
- Anthropic Courses (GitHub): Merge pull request #35 from codeblech/patch-1Anthropic · Anthropic Courses (GitHub) ·
- Anthropic Claude
- Anthropic's Claude is being used to help manage and tidy up developer guides, including merging pull requests, indicating its role in streamlining collaborative coding workflows.
- Microsoft Copilot
- Microsoft Copilot is being integrated into chat platforms like Slack and Teams to manage code across multiple projects, and its usage metrics API now includes pull request review stages to identify bottlenecks.
- OpenAI ChatGPT
- OpenAI's tools, like Codex, are being enhanced with features that support collaborative coding, and their AI is being positioned to make code review faster, reducing development delays.
- Merge
- A merge is the action of combining code from one branch into another, whi
- Commit
- A commit is a snapshot of changes to files, representing a single save p
- Fork
- A fork is a personal copy of a repository, allowing a developer to make ch
The concept of a pull request originated with the platform GitHub, which popularized it as a core feature for collaborative software development on its Git hosting service. Source ↗
To see a pull request in action, you can visit a project on GitHub and look for the "Pull requests" tab. Browse through open or closed pull requests to see the proposed code changes, the discussions around them, and the review process. You can also try creating a simple branch in a test repository, make a small change, and then open a pull request to yourself to simulate the workflow.
The Playbook: reusable how-tos, prompts, configs and tips pulled out of the news.
- HeuristicStart Copilot sessions directly from My work itemsInitiate new Copilot sessions with specific issues or pull requests as context. · 3 min
- PromptRole-play a student struggling with math for AI tutor simulationSimulate a student's math struggles and uncertainty for AI tutor evaluation. · 5 min
- TemplateReusable workflow templates for healthcare teamsTeams can create and share templates for common workflows like documentation or prior authorizations. · 15 min
- TemplateTemplate for building an AI tool tailored to your workA structured approach to defining and building a custom AI tool for specific business needs. · 15 min
- TemplateEvals CSV prompt list for agent skillsA CSV file template for listing prompts used in evaluating agent skills. · 20 min
Questions people ask
- What is the difference between a pull request and a merge?
- A pull request is a request to merge code, while a merge is the actual action of combining code from one branch into another.
- Who reviews a pull request?
- Typically, other developers or maintainers of the project review pull requests to ensure the quality and correctness of the proposed changes.
- Can AI help with pull requests?
- Yes, AI tools like GitHub Copilot can help by suggesting code changes, automating code review checks, and assisting in triaging pull requests.
First seen on Subvolts Sep 17, 2024. Updated Oct 16, 2026. Written by an AI model from the items above and reviewed against them weekly; report an error.