Code Review Guide
Purpose
Code reviews are about sharing knowledge and building shared ownership of our projects. They help us catch bugs early, ensure consistency, share knowledge, maintain quality, and build team cohesion.
Core Principles
Everyone Reviews Code
- All code changes need review before merging
- Everyone participates in reviews
- Fresh eyes find new issues
- Learning goes both ways
Focus on Improvement
- Reviews are about the code, not the coder
- Provide constructive feedback
- Explain the "why" behind suggestions
- Share alternatives and best practices
Keep Moving Forward
- Review promptly (within one business day)
- Keep changes small and focused
- Address feedback quickly
- Merge approved changes promptly
Review Process
Initial Review
Check for security vulnerabilities, code quality, and test coverage
Detailed Analysis
Review functionality, performance, and maintainability
Feedback
Provide constructive comments and suggestions for improvement
Resolution
Address feedback and iterate until approval
💡 Pro Tip
When reviewing code, focus on understanding the context first. What problem is this code solving? How does it fit into the larger system?
Best Practices
For Authors
Preparation
- Keep changes focused and small
- Write clear commit messages
- Include tests and documentation
- Self-review before submitting
Communication
- Explain complex changes
- Respond to feedback promptly
- Ask questions when unclear
- Be open to suggestions
For Reviewers
Review Approach
- Be thorough but timely
- Ask questions when unclear
- Suggest specific improvements
- Share knowledge and resources
Focus Areas
- Security considerations
- Code quality and style
- Test coverage
- Documentation completeness