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Asked: 2024-09-25T07:16:01+05:30 In:

How do I go about initiating a pull request or merging a PR in a project on GitHub? Can someone guide me through the necessary steps?

I’ve been diving into GitHub for a while now, and I’m starting to get the hang of it, but there’s one thing that’s still confusing me: how to initiate a pull request (PR) and merge it into a project. I’ve read a bunch of articles and watched some tutorials, but when it comes to actually doing it, I feel a bit lost.

So, here’s the situation—I’m working on a little side project, and I’ve made a few changes that I think could really benefit the main repository. I understand that opening a pull request is how you get your changes into someone else’s project, but I’m not sure how to go about it. What’s the first step? Should I fork the repository first, or can I create a branch from the main repo directly?

And then there’s the whole merging process. Once I’ve submitted my PR, how do I make sure it gets reviewed? Is it just a waiting game, or are there things I can do to nudge things along? Also, I’ve heard about things like “squashing” commits. Do I need to worry about that when I’m ready to merge, and what does it even mean?

I know GitHub has its own flow, and it seems like understanding that is key to successful collaboration. But honestly, I could use a step-by-step rundown from someone who’s been through this before. What are the pitfalls to look out for? What’s the best way to communicate with the maintainers of the repo?

Any advice from seasoned GitHub users would be greatly appreciated. It’s kind of intimidating to put my work out there, and I really want to make sure I do it right. Thanks in advance for any insights you can share!

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    2 Answers

    1. Getting Started with Pull Requests on GitHub

      So, you want to open a pull request (PR) and contribute to a project? That’s awesome! Here’s a simple guide:

      Step 1: Fork the Repository

      First things first, if you’re contributing to someone else’s repo, you’ll want to fork it. This creates your own copy of the repository under your GitHub account. To do this:

      1. Go to the main repository page on GitHub.
      2. Click the Fork button in the top-right corner.

      Step 2: Clone Your Fork Locally

      Once you’ve forked it, you need to get it onto your machine:

      1. Go to your forked repository page on GitHub.
      2. Click the green Code button and copy the URL.
      3. Open your terminal/command prompt and run: git clone [your-forked-repo-url]

      Step 3: Create a New Branch

      Now, navigate into your project folder and create a new branch for your changes:

      cd [your-repo-name]
git checkout -b [new-branch-name]

      Step 4: Make Your Changes & Commit

      Make your changes in code. Once you’re happy:

      git add .
git commit -m "Description of changes"

      Step 5: Push Your Changes to GitHub

      Now it’s time to push your changes to your fork:

      git push origin [new-branch-name]

      Step 6: Open a Pull Request

      Go back to the original repository on GitHub where you want to submit your changes:

      1. Click the Pull requests tab.
      2. Click New pull request.
      3. Select your branch from the dropdown, then click Create pull request.
      4. Add a title and description, then submit it!

      Review Process

      After you submit your PR, it’ll be in the queue for review. This can feel like a waiting game, but it’s okay to politely ask for reviews if it seems like it’s taking a long time. Use the “@mention” feature to tag maintainers!

      Squashing Commits

      You might hear about squashing commits. This means combining multiple commit messages into one. It’s usually done to keep history clean. Some repos may prefer this style, so read their contribution guidelines to see what they want.

      Communication Tips

      When chatting with repo maintainers, be friendly and clear about your changes. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask. Most people appreciate initiative!

      Common Pitfalls

      Watch out for:

      • Not syncing with the upstream repo. Keep your fork up to date.
      • Making sure your code follows the project’s contributing guidelines.
      • Getting defensive about feedback. It’s meant to help you improve!

      Putting your work out there can be daunting, but it’s also really rewarding. Just take it step by step, and you’ll do great!


    2. To initiate a pull request (PR) on GitHub, you’ll typically start by forking the repository you want to contribute to, creating a personal copy of it where you can make your changes. First, navigate to the main repository and click the “Fork” button at the top right corner. This creates a copy in your GitHub account. Next, clone your forked repository to your local machine using `git clone `. After making your desired changes locally, commit them with a descriptive message using `git commit -m “Your message”`, and push your changes back to your fork on GitHub with `git push origin `. Now, you can navigate to the original repository and click the “New Pull Request” button. Select your branch and provide additional details about the changes you made, and then submit the pull request.

      After submitting your PR, the maintainer of the original repository will review your changes. While it can be a waiting game, you can help facilitate the review process by being responsive to comments and questions. Consider politely nudging the maintainer if considerable time passes without feedback, but avoid being too pushy. Regarding “squashing” commits, this refers to combining multiple commits into one before merging. It’s often used for cleaner history, and you can do this during the PR process by choosing the option in the merge dropdown. Communication is key; ensure that your PR has a clear description and stays updated with any requests for changes. Being respectful and open to feedback will create a positive experience for both you and the maintainers.


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