---
name: create-github-pr
description: Create GitHub pull requests using the gh CLI. Use when the user wants to create a new PR, submit code for review, or open a pull request. Trigger keywords - create PR, pull request, new PR, submit for review, code review.
metadata:
  internal: true
title: create-github-pr
canonical_url: https://skilld.dev/gh/nvidia/openshell/create-github-pr
last_updated: 2026-10-02T02:03:17.000Z
---

> **Skill from skilld.dev.** Follow the instructions below for this session. You do not need to install anything.
>
> If the user asked to install this Skill, run `npx skilld install nvidia/openshell/create-github-pr`. Install writes the Skill files into the project, so every session loads them.

# Create GitHub Pull Request

Create pull requests on GitHub using the `gh` CLI.

## Prerequisites

- The `gh` CLI 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:

1. **You're not on main** - Never create PRs directly from main:

   ```bash
   # Should NOT be "main"
   git branch --show-current
   ```

2. **Branch follows naming convention** - Use `<type>/<issue-id>-<short-description>/<github-username>`, where `<type>` is a Conventional Commits type.

   ```bash
   # Example: feat/1234-add-pagination/johntmyers
   git branch --show-current
   ```

### Push Your Branch

Ensure your branch is pushed to the remote:

```bash
git push -u origin HEAD
```

## Creating a PR

Basic PR creation (opens editor for description):

```bash
gh pr create
```

With title and body:

```bash
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 feature
- `fix` - Bug fix
- `docs` - Documentation only
- `refactor` - Code change that neither fixes a bug nor adds a feature
- `test` - Adding or updating tests
- `chore` - 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 rubrics`
- `fix(jobs): handle timeout errors gracefully`
- `docs(sdk): update authentication examples`
- `refactor(models): simplify deployment logic`
- `chore(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:

```bash
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:

```bash
gh pr create --draft --title "WIP: New feature"
```

### Target a Different Branch

Default target is `main`. To target a different branch:

```bash
gh pr create --base "release-1.0"
```

## PR Description Format

PR descriptions must follow the project's [PR template](https://skilld.dev/api/skills-raw/nvidia/openshell/create-github-pr/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md) structure:

```markdown
## 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)

```bash
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:

```bash
# Watch the latest workflow run for the current branch
gh run watch
```

Or poll manually:

```bash
RUN_ID=$(gh run list --branch "$(git branch --show-current)" --limit 1 --json databaseId --jq '.[0].databaseId')
gh run watch "$RUN_ID"
```