How to Use GitKraken for Code Review

Edited 6 days ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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GitKraken is a popular Git client that makes working with Git easier and more engaging. One of the important aspects of development is the code review process, where developers check each other's code to maintain code quality and share knowledge. In this detailed guide, we will learn how to use GitKraken for code review, highlighting each step involved in the process. This detailed explanation is also designed to make it accessible to those who may be new to Git or GitKraken.

Introduction to GitKraken

GitKraken is a Git client known for its intuitive visual interface that simplifies the Git workflow. It is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it versatile for development teams. As a tool, GitKraken helps developers view their Git repositories in a clear, organized way with visual aids such as a graph view displaying branches and history.

Before moving on to code review, let's take a quick overview of GitKraken's interface:

• Repository view: Shows changes, commits, and branches.
• Graph: Shows branches, merges, and commits.
• Commit Panel: Used to view details of commits.
• Branch Panel: Handles branch operations such as creating, renaming, and deleting branches, etc.
• Pull Requests: Integration with Git platforms like GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket for code review and merging.

Setting up GitKraken

To start using GitKraken, download and install the application from the GitKraken website. You will also need to sign up or log in using a GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket account to ensure seamless integration with your repositories stored on these platforms.

Adding and cloning a repository

After logging in, you will want to add your repository to GitKraken, which can be done through the following steps:

1. Open GitKraken and click on Clone a Repo.
2. Choose the platform where your repository is hosted (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, etc.).
3. Browse to the repository you want to clone. Use the search feature if necessary.
4. Choose the local directory where the repository will be cloned.
5. Click Clone Repo to finalize the process.

Once cloned, your repository is ready for browsing and operating within GitKraken.

Code review process at GitKraken

The essence of code review is collaboration. GitKraken enables developers to seamlessly integrate pull requests from platforms like GitHub and GitLab into the workflow, which are crucial for conducting code reviews.

Creating a Pull Request

Before moving on to code review, a pull request needs to be created. This means asking someone to review the changes you have made before they are merged into the main branch.

1. Make sure your changes are committed and sent to your feature branch.
2. Go to the Pull Requests section in GitKraken.
3. Click Start pull request.
4. Select branches for comparison (from one branch to another).
5. Provide a title and description for your pull request.
6. Assign reviewers, set labels, and add comments if necessary.
7. Submit a pull request for review.

Reviewing a pull request

The first step in reviewing a pull request is to check the proposed changes. In GitKraken, this can be achieved as follows:

1. Go to the Pull Requests tab.
2. Select the pull request you need to review. This will open a view displaying all changes by file.
3. Review the list of changed files and click on the files to view line-by-line modifications.
4. Use the in-line comment feature to discuss specific changes. Click on the line you want to comment on and add your comments or reactions.

It is important to give constructive feedback. Make sure your comments are clear and provide guidance so that the necessary improvements are easy to understand.

Approve or request changes

After reviewing the changes and providing comments, you have the option to either approve the pull request or request changes. Here's how you can proceed:

• Approve: If the changes are satisfactory, approve the pull request. This can be done by clicking the Approve button, which indicates that you have reviewed it and it is ready to be merged.
• Request a change: If there is an issue or correction needed, press the Request a Change button. Provide detailed explanations on the changes needed.

Once the original contributor has made the necessary changes, they can update the pull request with the revised commits. The code is then reviewed again following the same process until it is satisfactory and ready for merging.

Best practices for code review at GitKraken

Effective code reviews not only ensure quality but also improve team collaboration. Here are some best practices to consider when conducting code reviews in GitKraken:

• Be mindful of your comments: use clear and concise language; aim for constructive criticism. It's important to focus on improvement rather than focusing on minor mistakes.
• Focus on the code: Focus on improving logic, structure, and readability, rather than just stylistic changes that don't affect functionality.
• Review the code in parts: Instead of reviewing large chunks of code, break it down into manageable parts. This will make it easier to focus and provide better feedback.
• Be consistent: Follow your organization's coding standards and make sure the code upholds these principles.
• Recognize good work: Positive reinforcement can encourage good practices in future presentations. Note sections that were implemented well.

Dealing with merge conflicts

A common occurrence during pull requests is merge conflicts. GitKraken makes it easy to resolve merge conflicts with its intuitive conflict editor.

1. When a merge conflict arises, GitKraken will highlight the issue in the merge conflict editor.
2. By navigating between conflicting files, you can decide which of the two conflicting changes to keep, delete, or integrate.
3. After resolving the conflicts, save the file and mark it as resolved in GitKraken.
4. Commit the changes to complete the merge and proceed with the pull request.

Integrating automation tools

To enhance the code review process, it may be beneficial to integrate continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) tools.

GitKraken integrates with platforms like Jenkins, Travis CI, and others to automate testing and deployment. When a pull request is submitted, these systems can automatically trigger the build and testing processes, and the results can be checked directly into GitKraken. This ensures that changes do not break the codebase and adhere to quality standards.

Conclusion

GitKraken is a powerful tool for managing Git repositories and has extensive features that greatly aid the code review process. By leveraging its intuitive interface, you can efficiently perform code reviews, resolve conflicts, and ensure code quality in your projects. Integrations with leading Git platforms and automation tools enhance its potential, helping teams maintain a streamlined and effective workflow.

With this guide, you'll be well-equipped to use GitKraken to perform code reviews, increasing code quality and your ability to contribute to collaborative team efforts.

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