The Bike Shed 476: Green Flags for Code
Sep 30, 2025
Joël and Sally dive into the art of PR reviews, discussing the importance of concise descriptions and manageable sizes for code diffs. They explore the balance between human judgment and AI support in code review, emphasizing clear rationale for changes. The duo also highlights the value of readable methods and managing levels of abstraction. They caution against overly complex tests and debate the nuances of splitting work into meaningful tickets. Tune in for insights that blend technical expertise with practical advice!
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Roman Peasant Blog Deep Dive
- Joël follows a blog about ancient peasants and their economics, which publishes weekly deep dives.
- He enjoys statistical detail on life expectancy, fertility, and household patterns.
Break Work Into Small, Reviewable PRs
- Break large changes into small, focused PRs to make review easier and reduce surprise scope.
- Provide a clear description so reviewers can budget time and give the right level of feedback.
Explain Decisions And Add Tests
- Write concise, focused PRs and include a thorough description explaining why you chose this approach.
- Add tests or guardrails to prevent regressions and document experiments or benchmarks when relevant.