How to Approve a Pull Request (PR) in GitHub?

In collaborative software development, Pull Requests (PRs) are an essential mechanism for reviewing and integrating changes into a codebase. Approving a PR is not just a formality—it ensures that the changes meet coding standards, pass quality checks, and align with the project goals.

This blog post walks you through the process of approving a PR on GitHub and provides tips for effective code review.

What Is a Pull Request?

A Pull Request is a request to merge changes from one branch into another, typically from a feature branch to the main or development branch. The PR allows other team members to review the proposed changes before they are integrated into the codebase.

Why Approve a PR?

Approving a PR signifies that:

1. The code has been reviewed and meets the project’s quality and style guidelines.
2. Any issues raised during the review process have been addressed.
3. The changes are ready to be merged into the target branch.

Prerequisites for Approving a PR

1. Collaborator Access: Ensure you have the necessary permissions (e.g., write access or above) in the repository.
2. Review Process: Familiarize yourself with the repository’s contribution guidelines and review policies.
3. Thorough Understanding: Read the PR description and test the changes if applicable.

Step-by-Step Guide to Approve a PR in GitHub

1. Navigate to the Pull Requests Tab

• Go to the repository on GitHub.
• Click on the Pull Requests tab located at the top.
• Select the PR you want to review from the list.

2. Review the PR Description

The PR description typically includes:

• A summary of the changes made.
• Relevant issue numbers (if any).
• Testing instructions or screenshots for UI changes.

Carefully read the description to understand the purpose of the PR.

3. Examine the Changed Files

Click on the Files Changed tab to see a list of modified files.

• Use the inline comments feature to highlight specific lines of code for feedback.
• Look for:
• Code readability and maintainability.
• Adherence to coding standards.
• Logical correctness and potential bugs.
• Proper documentation and comments.

4. Test the Changes Locally (Optional)

If the changes are substantial or require validation, pull the branch locally to test:
“`bash
git fetch origin branch-name
git checkout branch-name

Run the code and execute tests as per the PR description.  

#### **5. Leave a Review**  
Once you've completed your review, navigate back to the PR page:  
1. Click on the **Review Changes** button in the top-right corner of the Files Changed tab.  
2. Choose one of the following options:  
   - **Comment**: Provide feedback without approving or requesting changes.  
   - **Request Changes**: If issues are found, leave comments with specific suggestions.  
   - **Approve**: If the changes are satisfactory and meet the guidelines.  

3. Optionally, leave a comment summarizing your review and click **Submit Review**.  

#### **6. Approve the PR**  
If everything looks good, choose **Approve** and submit your review. This signals that the PR is ready for merging.  

---

### **Best Practices for Approving PRs**  

1. **Focus on Code Quality**  
   Ensure that the changes are efficient, maintainable, and align with project standards.  

2. **Check for Tests**  
   Verify that appropriate unit tests or integration tests have been added or updated.  

3. **Validate Documentation**  
   Confirm that new features or updates are adequately documented in code comments or external documentation.  

4. **Be Constructive**  
   If requesting changes, provide actionable and respectful feedback.  

5. **Test When Necessary**  
   For critical changes, always test the functionality locally or in a staging environment.  

---

### **Common Issues and How to Handle Them**  

#### **1. Conflicts in the PR**  
If there are merge conflicts:  
- Notify the PR creator to resolve the conflicts.  
- Use GitHub’s built-in conflict resolution tool or resolve them locally:  

bash
git checkout branch-name
git merge target-branch
# Resolve conflicts manually
git commit
git push
“`

2. Insufficient Testing

If the PR lacks adequate testing, request additional test cases or perform manual testing before approval.

3. Large, Complex PRs

Break down the review into smaller sections. Suggest splitting the PR if it’s too large.

Final Steps After Approval

• If you have merge permissions, you can merge the PR once it’s approved. GitHub offers several merge strategies:
• Merge Commit: Preserves the full history of the branch.
• Squash and Merge: Combines all changes into a single commit.
• Rebase and Merge: Rebases the changes onto the target branch.
• If you’re not the one merging, notify the assigned team member that the PR is ready.

Conclusion

Approving a PR on GitHub is more than a simple click—it’s an opportunity to ensure the quality, stability, and maintainability of the project. By following a structured review process and providing thoughtful feedback, you can contribute to a productive and collaborative development workflow.