What is a GitHub Pull Request?

GitHub Pull Request Explained

In this GitHub Pull Request Tutorial I am going to explain in as simple terms as I can what is a GitHub Pull Request and how you use it in your workflow.

If you want to contribute or make a change to a GitHub Repository, whether it’s a public repository for an open source project or a repository you are working on within a team, at some point in time you will have to make a Pull Request.

In simple terms a GitHub Pull Request is

GitHub Pull Request Example

GitHub Pull Request Workflow

This is a typical pull request workflow for suggesting changes to a public repository for example to an open source project.

1. Fork the repository: To create a pull request, you need to have your own copy of the repository. You can fork the repository on GitHub by clicking the “Fork” button in the top right corner of the repository page.
2. Clone the repository: After you’ve forked the repository, clone it to your local machine using the Git command line or a Git GUI client.
3. Create a new branch: Create a new branch in your local repository to make your changes. Give the branch a descriptive name that reflects the changes you’re making.
4. Make changes: Make the changes you want to suggest to the original repository. Be sure to test your changes and make sure they work as expected.
5. Commit your changes: When you’re satisfied with your changes, commit them to your local repository. Be sure to write a descriptive commit message that explains what you’ve changed and why.
6. Push the changes to your fork: Push the changes you’ve committed to your fork on GitHub.
7. Open a pull request: On the GitHub page for your fork, click the “New pull request” button to open a pull request. Review your changes and ensure that your pull request contains all the changes you want to suggest.
8. Request a review: Once you’ve opened the pull request, request a review from the repository owner or other contributors. They will review your changes and provide feedback.
9. Address feedback: If the repository owner or other contributors provide feedback, address their comments by making additional changes and pushing them to your fork.
10. Merge the pull request: When everyone is satisfied with the changes, the repository owner can merge the pull request into the main branch.

This is a basic workflow for creating a pull request on GitHub, but the specific steps may vary depending on the repository and the changes you’re proposing. However, this workflow provides a general idea of the steps involved in creating a pull request and getting your changes reviewed and merged into a Git repository.

GitHub Pull Request Template

GitHub Pull Request Approval

GitHub Pull Request API

GitHub Pull Request Visual Studio Code

You can use Visual Studio Code (VSCode) to create pull requests on GitHub by following these steps:

1. Install the Git extension: To use VSCode with GitHub, you need to install the Git extension for VSCode. You can install it from the VSCode marketplace by searching for “GitLens” or “GitHub Pull Requests and Issues”.
2. Clone the repository: Clone the repository you want to create a pull request for to your local machine. You can do this from within VSCode by using the GitLens extension, or from the command line.
3. Create a new branch: Create a new branch in your local repository to make your changes. Give the branch a descriptive name that reflects the changes you’re making.
4. Make changes: Make the changes you want to suggest to the original repository. Be sure to test your changes and make sure they work as expected.
5. Stage and commit the changes: Use the GitLens extension or the Git command line to stage and commit your changes to your local repository.
6. Push the changes to your fork: Push the changes you’ve committed to your fork on GitHub.
7. Open a pull request: On the GitHub page for your fork, click the “New pull request” button to open a pull request. Review your changes and ensure that your pull request contains all the changes you want to suggest.
8. Request a review: Once you’ve opened the pull request, request a review from the repository owner or other contributors. They will review your changes and provide feedback.
9. Address feedback: If the repository owner or other contributors provide feedback, address their comments by making additional changes and pushing them to your fork.
10. Merge the pull request: When everyone is satisfied with the changes, the repository owner can merge the pull request into the main branch.

By using VSCode with the GitLens extension, you can streamline the process of creating a pull request on GitHub, making it easier to manage your Git repositories and collaborate with others.

PR / Pull Request / Merge Request?

Pull Request Conflict Resolution