What is a pull request? Diffs, reviews, checks, and merge state
Understand commits, branches, PRs, deployment, base branches, checks, and review comments through an added export field, including AI-created proposals.
Understand the concept
A pull request proposes merging one branch into another and collects review, discussion, and checks. It differs from a commit and does not establish merge or deployment. AI-created PRs still need diff and test review under project rules. User availability depends on release and live verification.
Branches and base selection determine proposed changes
For an export field, verify the base branch and task-only diff. Mixed prior work can add unrelated files. A correct title or generated summary cannot repair an out-of-scope diff.
GitHub describes proposals with commits and checks, while drafts indicate unfinished work. This explains workflow without creating a PR, merging, or changing permissions.
Checks and approvals provide different evidence
Tests validate covered behavior, while reviews can identify requirement gaps; both have limits. Comments, approvals, and change requests differ. A comment is not approval, and AI prose cannot override failed required checks.
After pushes, check whether results match the current revision. Fix or explain findings rather than merely resolve threads. Follow configured rules instead of bypassing protection.
After merging, verify deployment and user paths
Merge updates the target branch; deployment may be automated or separate. Check release status and the real exported field. A successful merge notification does not establish user-path acceptance.
Report current stage and blockers accurately when unmerged or unreleased. This page reports no real PR result. AI can prepare descriptions and inspect diffs, while delivery depends on artifacts, rules, and validation rather than PR counts or titles.
Checked sources
These sources support the concepts and methods described here. Examples and test scope are labeled separately; check the version of the tools you use.