How to Review Pull Requests and GitHub Issues in VS Code
Review pull requests, manage GitHub issues, and collaborate with your team without leaving VS Code. Use the GitHub Pull Requests extension for a complete PR workflow.
VS Code integrates with GitHub through the GitHub Pull Requests extension (publisher: GitHub). This free extension adds pull request creation, review, and merge, plus issue management, all inside the editor.
Before starting, make sure you are signed in to GitHub. Read /vscode/how-to-sign-in-to-github-from-vs-code if you have not set that up yet.
Install the extension
Open the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X / Cmd+Shift+X), search for "GitHub Pull Requests", and install the extension published by GitHub. After installing, a new GitHub icon appears in the Activity Bar.
Select the GitHub icon to open the GitHub view. It has three sections: Pull Requests, Issues, and a search bar.
Create a pull request
Open the Pull Requests view
Select the GitHub icon in the Activity Bar and open the Pull Requests section.
Start a new pull request
Select the Create Pull Request button at the top of the view. You can also run GitHub Pull Requests: Create Pull Request from the Command Palette.
Configure the PR
The Create view opens. Choose the base branch (where you want to merge) and the compare branch (your feature branch). Fill in the title and description. If your repository has a PR template, it loads automatically.
Add assignees, reviewers, and labels
Use the action bar at the top to assign people, request reviewers, add labels, and set a milestone.
Create the PR
Select Create. If you have not pushed your branch yet, the extension asks which remote to publish to.
If you have a Copilot subscription, select the sparkle icon next to the title field to let AI generate a PR title and description based on your commits.
Review a pull request
You can review pull requests from your team directly in VS Code.
Find the PR to review
In the Pull Requests view, browse the list of open PRs. Use the filter to show PRs assigned to you, created by you, or matching a custom query.
Check out the PR locally
Select the PR and choose Checkout. VS Code switches to the PR's branch in Review Mode. A Changes in Pull Request view opens showing all files modified in the PR and their diffs.
Review the changes
Select any file to open its diff. You can navigate, use IntelliSense, and edit as normal. To leave a comment, select a line and add your feedback.
Submit your review
After reviewing, you can approve the PR, request changes, or add general comments. Select the appropriate action from the PR description view.
Exit Review Mode
When done, select Exit Review Mode to return to your previous branch.
If you have Copilot, you can request an AI code review before you create the PR. Select the Code Review button in the GitHub Pull Request view and Copilot analyzes your changes.
Merge a pull request
Once a PR is approved, open it from the Pull Requests view and select Merge. You can choose the merge method (merge commit, squash, or rebase) from the dropdown next to the Merge button. After merging, VS Code offers to delete both the remote and local branch.
Work with issues
The Issues section in the GitHub view shows issues from your repository. You can filter by assignee, label, or milestone.
To create a new issue, select the + button in the Issues view. You can also create issues from code:
- Select a TODO comment and use the Code Action to create an issue
- Use GitHub Issues: Create Issue From Selection to turn highlighted code into an issue
- Use GitHub Issues: Create Issue From Clipboard for copied text
To start working on an issue, right-click it and select Start Working on Issue. VS Code creates a new branch for you and shows the issue in the Status Bar.
When you commit, the commit message is prefilled with the issue reference. When you create a PR, the issue is automatically linked.
Editor integration
The extension adds GitHub-aware features to the editor:
- Type
@in a comment or commit message to mention a GitHub user - Type
#to reference an issue or pull request - Hover over
@usernameor#123to see a GitHub-style preview card
These work in both editor files and the Source Control commit message box.
After mastering pull requests and issues, explore /vscode/how-to-view-git-history-blame-and-the-source-control-graph-in-vs-code to trace your project's history.
Rune AI
Key Insights
- Install the GitHub Pull Requests extension (publisher: GitHub) to enable PR and issue management.
- Access pull requests and issues from the GitHub view in the Activity Bar.
- Create a PR with the GitHub Pull Requests: Create Pull Request command or from the Pull Requests view.
- Check out a PR locally to review diffs, leave comments, and approve changes.
- Create issues from TODO comments, selections, or the clipboard.
- Start working on an issue to automatically create a branch and prefill the PR.
Powered by Rune AIFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need an extension to work with pull requests in VS Code?
Can I create a pull request without pushing my branch first?
How do I check out a pull request locally for review?
Can AI help me write a pull request description?
Conclusion
The GitHub Pull Requests extension brings the full GitHub collaboration workflow into VS Code. Create, review, and merge pull requests; browse and manage issues; and use AI to generate PR descriptions and code reviews, all without switching to the browser.
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