PR Context Template

How It Works

Review speed improves when reviewers don't need to reconstruct intent. This recipe

standardizes PR narratives and validation evidence.

Triggers

• Reviewers complain PRs lack context
• Large PRs require long synchronous explanations
• Rework occurs because reviewers misunderstood intent

Steps

1. Create a PR template with:

• Problem statement
• Intended behavior change
• Risk assessment
• Testing evidence
• Rollback plan (if relevant)

1. Require screenshots/logs for UI/behavior changes.
2. Add "review guide" notes (files to focus on, non-goals).
3. Encourage smaller PRs by requiring a "why not split?" explanation for large changes.

Expected Outcome

• Less reviewer context-switching and faster approvals.
• Fewer review cycles caused by misunderstanding.

Example Inputs

• "Template for infra PRs vs app PRs."
• "We need reviewers to know what to test quickly."
• "Stop bikeshedding style; focus on correctness."

Tips

• If the PR doesn't say how to validate, it's not ready.