Track GitHub pull request status

Tracking the status of a GitHub pull request (PR) is essential for developers to stay updated on code review progress, testing results, and merge readiness. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to track GitHub pull request status effectively:

1. Using the GitHub Website

• Navigate to the repository: Go to the repository on GitHub where the PR was created.

• Click on the “Pull requests” tab: This tab lists all open, closed, and merged pull requests.

• Filter by status: Use the filters like “Open,” “Closed,” or “Merged” to find your PR.

• View details: Clicking on a PR shows detailed information including comments, commits, checks (CI/CD status), and review statuses.

2. GitHub Notifications

• Watch the repository: Click the “Watch” button on the repo page and select the appropriate notification level to get alerts on PR activity.

• Subscribe to specific PRs: You can subscribe to notifications on individual PRs to receive updates about comments, reviews, or status changes.

3. Using GitHub CLI (gh)

The GitHub CLI tool provides a command-line way to interact with PRs.

• List pull requests:

  bash
  CopyEdit
  gh pr list
  

• View a specific pull request:

  bash
  CopyEdit
  gh pr view <pr-number> --web
  

  or

  bash
  CopyEdit
  gh pr view <pr-number>
  

  to see details in the terminal.

• Check PR status: This shows mergeability, review status, and CI status.

4. Using API Calls

For automation or integration with other tools, use GitHub’s REST or GraphQL APIs.

• REST API example:
  GET request to
  https://api.github.com/repos/{owner}/{repo}/pulls/{pull_number}
  returns PR details including state (open, closed), mergeable status, and checks.

• GraphQL API:
  Allows querying detailed PR info like reviews, commits, status contexts, and more.

5. Integrations & Third-Party Tools

• CI/CD dashboards: Many CI platforms (GitHub Actions, Jenkins, CircleCI) provide PR status badges and summaries.

• Project management tools: Tools like Jira or Trello often integrate with GitHub to reflect PR status in tickets.

• Browser extensions: Some browser add-ons improve PR tracking by enhancing GitHub’s UI with additional info.

6. Checking CI/CD Status on a PR

• Within a PR page, scroll to the “Checks” section to see automated build and test results.

• Passing checks usually indicate the PR is ready to merge; failing checks need attention.

7. Using Labels and Review Status

• Labels: PRs may have labels like “In Review,” “Needs Changes,” or “Ready to Merge” which help track progress visually.

• Review requests: GitHub shows whether requested reviewers have approved or requested changes.

Summary

To track GitHub pull request status, leverage GitHub’s web interface for detailed views, enable notifications, use the GitHub CLI for quick command-line access, tap into APIs for automation, and integrate with CI/CD and project management tools to maintain a smooth development workflow.