Build PR Context

build_pr_context

What to do

1. Identify the repo's default branch (do not guess).
   • Prefer GitHub CLI:

     gh repo view --json defaultBranchRef --jq '.defaultBranchRef.name'

   • Fallback:

     git remote show origin | sed -n '/HEAD branch/s/.*: //p'

   • If still unclear, say so and ask the developer.
2. Check if you're on the default branch.
   • Run:

     git branch --show-current

   • If current branch == default branch, switch to Repo Context Mode (see below)
   • Otherwise, continue with PR diff analysis
3. Diff against the default branch (PR mode only).
   • Fetch latest refs if needed.
   • Use triple-dot diff:

     git diff <default_branch>...HEAD -- ":(exclude)*.lock" ":(exclude)package-lock.json" ":(exclude)pnpm-lock.yaml" ":(exclude)package.json"

   • Also capture:

     git diff --stat -- ":(exclude)*.lock" ":(exclude)package-lock.json" ":(exclude)pnpm-lock.yaml" ":(exclude)package.json"

4. Understand the changes.
   • What behavior changed?
   • Why was it changed?
   • What assumptions or invariants does this rely on?
   • What could break (correctness, security, perf, API, data, ops)?
5. Prepare for pair review.
   • Summarize the change in a 3-5 bullet points in plain English.
   • Call out key files and why they matter.
   • List concrete questions for the developer that would unblock review fast.
6. Call out big issues explicitly.
   • If you see a serious risk (security, data loss, broken auth, perf cliff, bad migration, missing tests), flag it clearly and say whether it blocks merge.

Repo Context Mode (when on default branch)

1. Explore repo structure

   • git ls-files | head -100

     to see tracked files
   • Check for README.md, CLAUDE.md, AGENTS.md for project docs
   • Identify key directories and their purpose
2. Understand the tech stack
   • Look at package.json, pyproject.toml, Cargo.toml, go.mod, etc.
   • Note languages, frameworks, and dependencies
3. Review recent history

   • git log --oneline -20

     for recent commits
   • Identify active areas of development
4. Check current state

   • git status

     for uncommitted changes

   • git stash list

     for stashed work
5. Summarize for the developer
   • What does this repo do?
   • What's the project structure?
   • What's the current state (clean, WIP, staged changes)?
   • What are the key entry points?

Repo Context Output Format

• Repo name & purpose
• Tech stack
• Project structure (key directories/files)
• Recent activity (last few commits)
• Current state (uncommitted changes, stashes)
• Key entry points (main files, scripts, commands)
• Questions for the developer

PR Context Output Format

• Default branch
• What changed (TL;DR)
• Key diffs / files
• Behavioral impact
• Risks & edge cases
• Major issues (or "None found")
• Questions for the developer