Code reviews are essential for maintaining code quality, but they can become bottlenecks if not managed efficiently. One effective solution is stacking pull requests—opening multiple small PRs, each building on the previous one. This approach ensures:
✅ Early and frequent feedback – Catch issues before they escalate.
✅ Simplified reviews – Smaller changes are easier to digest.
✅ No synchronization overhead – Unlike pair programming, reviewers can engage asynchronously.
Learn more about this workflow: Stacking Pull Requests Guide
You Should Know: Practical Git Commands for Stacked PRs
To implement stacked PRs effectively, use these Git commands:
1. Create a Feature Branch
git checkout -b feature/new-login
2. Commit Small Changes
git add . git commit -m "Add login form UI"
3. Push and Open a PR
git push origin feature/new-login
(Open a PR for this small change.)
4. Stack Another PR on Top
git checkout feature/new-login git checkout -b feature/login-validation
(Make new changes, commit, and push.)
5. Rebase to Keep History Clean
git rebase -i main
(Squash or reorder commits if needed.)
6. Resolve Conflicts
git fetch origin git merge origin/main
(Fix conflicts before pushing updates.)
7. Force Push (If Rebasing)
git push origin feature/login-validation --force
What Undercode Say
Stacked PRs optimize agile workflows, but they require discipline:
– Avoid gigantic PRs – Break them into logical units.
– Use `git diff` to inspect changes before review:
git diff main..feature/login-validation
– Automate checks with CI/CD:
Sample GitHub Actions workflow name: PR Check on: [bash] jobs: test: runs-on: ubuntu-latest steps: - uses: actions/checkout@v4 - run: npm test
For Windows developers, PowerShell equivalents:
git checkout main git pull git branch -d old-feature Delete merged branches
Prediction
As AI-assisted code reviews (e.g., GitHub Copilot) rise, stacked PRs will integrate automated feedback, reducing manual review time. Expect merge conflict resolvers powered by LLMs in Git platforms.
Expected Output:
A streamlined code review process with faster iterations, cleaner Git history, and reduced reviewer fatigue.
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References:
Reported By: Petarivanovv9 Codereviews – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
