Streamline Your Workflow with GitHub's Stacked PRs and gh stack CLI

Managing large code changes can be a daunting task, but with GitHub's native support for stacked pull requests (PRs) and the gh stack CLI, the process becomes more efficient and organized. By breaking down large changes into smaller, reviewable PRs that build on each other, developers can maintain context and improve feedback quality. Each PR acts as a focused layer of change, independently reviewable and mergeable in one click.

The GitHub interface supports these stacks by providing a stack map for easy navigation, enforcing branch protection rules, and running continuous integration (CI) tests as if each PR targets the final branch. This ensures that every layer is thoroughly vetted before merging.

The gh stack CLI enhances local workflows by simplifying branch creation, managing rebases, and pushing changes to GitHub. It allows developers to create stacks, perform cascading rebases, and navigate between layers directly from the terminal. With the integration of AI agents, developers can further automate the process, breaking up large diffs into manageable stacks or starting development with stacks from the get-go.

When ready to merge, developers can choose to merge all or part of the stack, with remaining PRs automatically rebased to target the base branch. This seamless integration between local and GitHub workflows ensures that large changes are handled efficiently, reducing the risk of conflicts and improving overall team productivity.