Git Change PR to Draft: A Quick Guide to Revise Pull Requests

To change a pull request (PR) to a draft in GitHub using the GitHub CLI, you can use the following command:

gh pr edit [PR_NUMBER] --draft

Replace `[PR_NUMBER]` with the actual number of the pull request you want to change.

Understanding Pull Requests

What is a Pull Request?

A Pull Request (PR) is a method of submitting contributions to a repository. Once a feature or bug fix is complete, a developer submits a PR to propose that their code be merged into the main branch. This process not only facilitates collaboration between team members but also serves as a valuable opportunity to review code and discuss potential improvements.

PRs play an essential role in ensuring that code quality remains high. They allow for thorough reviews, testing, and approval processes, making it easier for teams to maintain stable and functional codebases. Additionally, branches are at the heart of Git's workflow, separating features and fixes during development before they're merged back into the main project.

Reasons to Change a PR to Draft

There can be various situations where a developer might feel that their pull request isn’t quite ready for a full review. Changing a PR to draft can be the appropriate action in these scenarios.

• Further Work Needed: If you realize more changes are necessary before your code is review-ready, converting the PR to a draft signals to others that they should hold off on reviewing it.

• Improved Communication: By marking a PR as a draft, you effectively communicate to your team that the feature or implementation is still in progress. This allows you to avoid prematurely burdening reviewers with code that isn’t finalized.

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How to Change a Pull Request to Draft

Prerequisites

Before moving forward, ensure that you:

• Have the necessary permissions to modify PRs within your repository.
• Are working within a supported Git hosting service such as GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket.

Use Case: Changing a PR on GitHub

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Navigate to Your Pull Request
   Start by accessing your repository. Click on the “Pull Requests” tab to see the list of existing PRs. Select the PR you wish to modify.

2. Click on the "Convert to draft" button
   Once you’re in the PR, look for the "Convert to draft" button. This option is usually located at the bottom of the PR description page.

3. Confirmation and Notification
   After clicking the button, a confirmation will appear. Your PR will now display as a draft, signifying its non-final state. Your collaborators will also receive a notification about this change, ensuring everyone is updated.

Use Case: Changing a PR on GitLab

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Access Your Merge Request
   Begin by navigating to your repository’s “Merge Requests” page. Locate the merge request that you want to change to a draft and click on it.

2. Click on "Mark as Draft"
   On the merge request page, find the "Mark as Draft" button and click it. This action will transition your merge request into a draft status.

3. Understand the Implications
   After marking as a draft, the request will no longer be subject to review or merging until it is converted back to an active state. This feature ensures that reviewers are aware that the content is still evolving.

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Best Practices for Managing Draft Pull Requests

Communication with Team Members

Effective communication is key. If you decide to convert a PR to draft, it’s essential to leave a comment elaborating on the reasons for this decision. For example, you might say:

“I’m converting this PR to draft status while I address the feedback provided earlier and enhance the error handling.”

This helps keep your team informed and prevents any confusion about the status of your work.

When to Convert Back to a Regular Pull Request

Once you’re done making necessary changes, it's time to convert your draft back to an active PR. You should consider doing this when:

• All required feedback has been addressed.
• You’re confident in the quality and completeness of your code.

To convert your draft back, simply navigate back to your PR and select the option to “Ready for review” (or similar, depending on the platform). This process will prompt your team to revisit your changes and move forward with the merger.

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Conclusion

Changing a pull request to draft status is a straightforward yet crucial part of maintaining an efficient collaboration workflow. By marking a PR as a draft when further work is needed, you not only enhance communication with your team but also ensure that your code is only reviewed when it is truly ready. Incorporating these practices into your development routine will foster a more organized and productive project environment.

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Additional Resources

Helpful Links

• Official documentation for GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket regarding Pull Requests and Drafts.
• Tutorials for mastering Git commands, which can help you become more proficient in your overall development workflow.

FAQs

Common queries about modifying PRs can further deepen your understanding of the functionality:

• “Can I undo a draft PR?” Yes, changing it back to a standard PR is easy, simply follow the previously outlined steps.
• “What happens to the code in a draft PR?” The code remains untouched, but it will not be considered for merging until marked active again.