Create GitHub Pull Request
Create pull requests on GitHub using the gh CLI.
Prerequisites
- The
ghCLI must be authenticated (gh auth status) - You must have commits on a branch that's pushed to the remote
- Every PR must close an existing issue. The branch should follow
<type>/<issue-id>-<short-description>/<github-username>.
Before Creating a PR
Check Config Documentation
If the branch changes gateway TOML parsing, [openshell.gateway] fields,
[openshell.drivers.<name>] fields, driver config defaults, or Helm rendering
of gateway.toml, verify that docs/how-it-works/gateways/configuration.mdx is updated
in the same branch. If the change affects user-facing compute-driver setup,
also update docs/how-it-works/sandboxes/runtimes.mdx or the relevant
deployment docs.
Check Agent Infrastructure
Use the sync-agent-infra skill's maintenance map to identify related skill updates when the branch changes behavior, commands, or development workflows. Run its full consistency check when the branch adds, removes, or renames skills or crates; changes workflow relationships or skill coverage; modifies issue or PR templates; or changes agent cross-references. Resolve any drift before creating the PR.
Verify the Affected Areas
Use the verification guidance in CONTRIBUTING.md to select checks for the changed files and behavior. Guidance, skills, and template changes need applicable Markdown, YAML, link, and consistency checks. Run Rust or SDK suites when those components or their dependencies can be affected. Shared APIs, schemas, dependencies, and build changes may require broader checks even when component source files are unchanged.
mise run ci and mise run pre-commit are broad convenience tasks, not blanket PR prerequisites. Broaden validation only for a concrete remaining risk or failed check, and report what actually ran.
Verify Branch State
Before creating a PR, verify:
You're not on main - Never create PRs directly from main:
# Should NOT be "main" git branch --show-currentBranch follows naming convention - Use
<type>/<issue-id>-<short-description>/<github-username>, where<type>is a Conventional Commits type.# Example: feat/1234-add-pagination/johntmyers git branch --show-current
Push Your Branch
Ensure your branch is pushed to the remote:
git push -u origin HEADCreating a PR
Basic PR creation (opens editor for description):
gh pr createWith title and body:
gh pr create --title "PR title" --body "PR description"PR Title Format
PR titles must follow the conventional commit format:
<type>(<scope>): <description>Types:
feat- New featurefix- Bug fixdocs- Documentation onlyrefactor- Code change that neither fixes a bug nor adds a featuretest- Adding or updating testschore- Maintenance tasks (CI, build, dependencies)perf- Performance improvement
Scope is typically the component name (e.g., evaluator, cli, sdk, jobs).
Examples:
feat(evaluator): add support for custom rubricsfix(jobs): handle timeout errors gracefullydocs(sdk): update authentication examplesrefactor(models): simplify deployment logicchore(ci): update Python version in pipeline
Link to an Issue
Every PR must close its own issue. Verify that the issue exists, remains open, and covers the PR scope. Use Closes #<issue-number> in the body so merge closes it:
gh pr create \
--title "fix(cli): validate empty requests" \
--body "## Summary
Validate empty request bodies.
## Related Issue
Closes #123
## Changes
- Return 400 instead of 500"If the work needs multiple PRs, create a separate closable issue for each PR. A higher-level tracking issue may link the component issues, but no PR should close that tracking issue until all its work is complete. Follow SECURITY.md for vulnerability disclosure. First-time external contributors must be vouched before their PRs are accepted; the vouch check may close unvouched PRs. Check the current vouch process before opening a PR for an external contributor.
Create as Draft
For work-in-progress that's not ready for review:
gh pr create --draft --title "WIP: New feature"Target a Different Branch
Default target is main. To target a different branch:
gh pr create --base "release-1.0"PR Description Format
PR descriptions must follow the project's PR template structure:
## Summary
<!-- 1-3 sentences: what this PR does and why -->
## Related Issue
<!-- Closes #NNN; this issue covers the scope of this PR -->
## Changes
<!-- Bullet list of key changes -->
## Testing
<!-- What testing was done? -->
- [ ] Checks appropriate to the affected code and behavior pass
- [ ] Unit tests added/updated (if applicable)
- [ ] E2E tests added/updated (if applicable)
## Checklist
- [ ] Follows Conventional Commits
- [ ] Commits are signed off (DCO)Populate the testing checklist based on what was actually run. Check boxes for steps that were completed.
Example PR (Complete)
gh pr create \
--title "feat(cli): add pagination to sandbox list" \
--body "$(cat <<'EOF'
## Summary
Add `--page-size` and `--page-token` flags to `openshell sandbox list` for continuation-token pagination.
## Related Issue
Closes #456
## Changes
- Added `page_size` and `page_token` fields to the sandbox list API call
- Default page size is 100, max is 1,000
- Structured responses include `next_page_token`
## Testing
- [x] Relevant CLI format, lint, and unit checks pass
- [x] Unit tests added/updated
- [ ] E2E tests added/updated (if applicable)
## Checklist
- [x] Follows Conventional Commits
- [x] Commits are signed off (DCO)
EOF
)"Useful Options
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
--title, -t |
PR title (use conventional commit format) |
--body, -b |
PR description |
--reviewer, -r |
Request review from user |
--draft |
Create as draft (WIP) |
--label, -l |
Add label (can use multiple times) |
--base, -B |
Target branch (default: main) |
--head, -H |
Source branch (default: current) |
--web |
Open in browser after creation |
After Creating
The command outputs the PR URL and number.
Display the URL using markdown link syntax so it's easily clickable:
Created PR [#123](https://github.com/OWNER/REPO/pull/123)Monitor Workflow Run (Optional)
If the user asks to wait for a green CI before posting the RFR, use this snippet to monitor the workflow run:
# Watch the latest workflow run for the current branch
gh run watchOr poll manually:
RUN_ID=$(gh run list --branch "$(git branch --show-current)" --limit 1 --json databaseId --jq '.[0].databaseId')
gh run watch "$RUN_ID"