Pull Request vs. Merge Request: Definitions, Key Differences, and Best Practices

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Pull Request vs. Merge Request: What's the Difference?

Why Pull Requests and Merge Requests Are Important

Since its creation, GitLab has been a popular choice for its CI/CD and pipelines focus. GitHub, on the other hand, has been the go-to choice for its ease of use and popularity among developers. That's why, when I first started using GitLab five years ago, I felt discrepancies between the two flows for reviewing code.

I was used to GitHub's pull request flow, and I was surprised to see that GitLab's flow was different, and quite often missing features, especially on the API side (as I have been working on both APIs for the past few years). Whether it's creating a pull request in GitHub or working with a merge request in GitLab, understanding the differences is crucial.

GitHub simplifies the process of reviewing code through its pull requests, while GitLab offers more customizable workflows with its merge requests. In both cases, assigning reviewers, such as deciding between a GitLab assignee vs reviewer, can significantly enhance collaboration. Features like GitLab create merge request and pipeline integration in GitLab further streamline the process, especially when teams need to ensure quality before merging.

Understanding the pull request vs merge request differences, as well as the specific features like GitLab approve merge request or GitHub approve pull request, can help your team choose the best platform for their needs. By mastering these tools, you can make code reviews and the process to merge a pull request more efficient.

Understanding Pull Requests

What Is a Pull Request?

So, what is a pull request? In software development, a pull request (PR) is a way to propose and merge changes to a codebase. It involves creating a request to merge a branch containing changes into a target branch (base branch in the GitLab environment). Developers can review, provide feedback, and once approved, the changes are merged into the target branch. Pull requests facilitate collaborative code review and integration.

A merge request in GitLab is a similar concept, which serves the same purpose but with slightly different workflows.

How Pull Requests Work in GitHub

How to Open a Pull Request in GitHub

There are many ways to open pull requests in GitHub, the three most common are:

• opening from your terminal while working on a different branch after a git push,
• opening from the GitHub UI,
• opening using the GitHub CLI within your terminal (the CLI is useful for a lot of things, including using git to merge a pull request).

This initial window lets you write a title and a description for your pull requests, which will help your reviewers when they receive the request. You can also:

• assign reviewers,
• assign assignees,
• assign labels,
• assign a project,
• assign a milestone,
• add a draft status,
• add a linked issue.

I advise you to check your changes in the code before clicking on the Create pull request button to ensure smooth integration when you proceed to merge a pull request into the main branch. Also, I recommend you to create a GitHub pull request template to help your reviewers understand the purpose of the pull request.

You can also opens a GitHub draft PR to start the review process without alerting your reviewers.

In GitHub, you can set an auto-review request feature, deciding which team or developers should be requested automatically. This differs from the pull request vs merge request workflows, as GitLab does not provide any auto-reviewer feature. However, both platforms allow you to approve and merge pull requests once all reviews are completed.

How to Review a Pull Request in GitHub

Once pull requests are opened, reviewers can start reviewing the changes. Effective code reviews in pull requests help maintain code quality and facilitate collaboration across teams. Reviewers can:

• create an issue comment in the pull request Conversation tab (called a note in other tools),
• comment on the code in the Files changed tab, which is a code review comment,
• leave a review, which means creating a master review comment, requesting changes, or use the GitHub approve pull request button.

Reviewers can also directly approve pull requests when they are satisfied with the updates and all concerns have been addressed. Adding detailed comments and suggestions within pull requests ensures clarity and alignment among contributors.

If you're interested in learning more about pull request code review, I wrote a guide on GitHub code review best practices!

Finalizing and Merging a Pull Request in GitHub

Depending on your team's requirements, you should set:

• the minimum number of approvals pull requests need before being merged,
• the minimum number of approvals from a specific role or team (for example, pull requests need at least one approval from a senior developer before being merged),
• which CI/CD tests need to pass before a pull request can be merged.

On a GitHub pro plan, it is possible to set a branch protection rule to enforce these requirements. By setting clear review and testing standards, teams ensure that pull requests are merged only after meeting high-quality benchmarks.

Once all requirements are satisfied, and the pull request is ready to be merged, you can click on the Merge pull request button to use git to merge the pull request. Additionally, you can choose options like squash and merge or rebase and merge, depending on your team's preferences. These flexible options make it easier to handle the merge a pull request workflow effectively.

Understanding Merge Requests

What Is a Merge Request?

In GitLab, a merge request (MR) is a mechanism for proposing and merging code changes. It allows developers to request the merging of a branch, containing their changes, into a target branch. Collaborators can review, provide feedback, and once approved, the changes are merged. GitLab code reviews uses MRs to facilitate this process.

So, to summarize, the main difference as of now is in terms of naming. In GitHub, you open a pull request on a target branch, and in GitLab, you open a merge request on a base branch. The rest of the flow is quite similar, but there are some differences, which we will see in the next section.

How Merge Requests Work in GitLab

There are many ways to open a merge request in GitLab, the three most common are:

• opening from your terminal while working on a different branch after a git push,
• opening from the GitLab UI and web editor,
• opening using the GitLab CLI within your terminal.

This initial window lets you write a title (and mark the MR as draft) and a description for your pull request, which will help your reviewers when they receive the request. Just like pull requests in GitHub, a merge request in GitLab allows developers to propose changes for collaboration and review. You can also:

• assign reviewers,
• assign assignees,
• assign labels,
• assign a project,
• assign a milestone,
• add a linked merge request.

In GitLab, you can't see your changes in this window. So when you open your MR, your reviewers will be notified right away. Additionally, while GitHub offers auto-reviewer functionality, GitLab creates merge request workflows that require manual reviewer assignment.

As a result, the pull request vs merge request debate often revolves around these differences in workflow and functionality, with teams choosing platforms based on their needs.

How to Review a Merge Request in GitLab

Once a merge request in GitLab is opened, reviewers can start evaluating the proposed changes. The GitLab merge request interface offers several tools for collaboration and feedback. Reviewers can:

• create a note comment in the merge request Overview tab,
• comment on the code in the Changes tab, known as a diff note,
• approve the merge request using the GitLab approve merge request button at the top of the Overview tab (or unapprove it if already approved).

GitLab also distinguishes between roles like GitLab assignee vs reviewer, which helps streamline the review process by clearly defining responsibilities. This distinction ensures that the right team members are assigned for specific tasks during the review cycle.

Even if the names and some features differ, the overall flow of a merge request in GitLab is quite similar to other platforms. However, unlike some systems, you cannot request changes directly in the GitLab UI. If you are interested in learning more about how to review code in GitLab, I wrote a guide on how to do code review with gitlab and how to integrate Slack with your GitLab self managed instance!

Finalizing and Merging a Merge Request in GitLab

In the Settings of your project, you can set different rules for your merge requests. You can set:

• the minimum number of approval a pull request needs before being merged,
• the minimum number of approval from a specific role or team,
• which CI/CD pipelines need to pass before a merge request is mergeable.

Once the merge request is ready to be merged, you can click on the Merge button (which is at the beginning of the Overview tab). You can also squash and merge, or rebase and merge, depending on your team's requirements.

Pull Request vs Merge Request: A Table of Key Differences

As we've seen, most differences are in terms of naming if you compage merge vs pull requests. But there are some differences in terms of features, GitLab does not provide an extended API and webhooks for integrations (no webhook for editing or deleting comments for example), or does not have an auto review request feature.

Also, GitLab has been initially developed as open-source, so it has been easier to deploy your instance of GitLab on your server. GitHub Enterprise Server now makes it possible to deploy your instance of GitHub, but it is not as easy as GitLab.

Pull Request GitHub Best Practices

Pull requests in GitHub are a cornerstone of collaborative development workflows. By following best practices, teams can ensure high-quality code, efficient collaboration, and streamlined processes. Here are some key recommendations:

Use Clear and Descriptive Titles and Descriptions

A well-written pull request title and description can save reviewers significant time and confusion. Detail the purpose of the pull request, highlight key changes, and link any relevant issues. This is especially important when collaborating across teams.

Example: "A clear description in pull requests helps reviewers understand the purpose and context of the changes."

Assign Reviewers Using CodeOwners and Teams

GitHub's CodeOwners file allows teams to automate the assignment of reviewers based on file ownership. This ensures the right person is notified for every pull request.

Example: "With CodeOwners, pull requests automatically notify the best-suited reviewers based on their area of expertise."

Leverage Approval and Branch Protection Rules

GitHub's branch protection rules ensure pull requests meet certain criteria before being merged. This may include requiring a minimum number of approvals or ensuring CI/CD pipelines pass successfully. The "Approve pull request" feature streamlines collaboration during reviews.

Example: "Branch protection rules prevent merge pull requests before all necessary checks and approvals are completed."

Differences in Workflow: GitHub vs. GitLab

A main difference between merge vs pull requests is that while GitHub automates reviewer assignments through features like CodeOwners, GitLab lacks a built-in auto-assign reviewer feature. However, tools like Axolo's Auto-Assign Reviewer for GitLab make it possible to replicate this functionality for free, enhancing GitLab’s review process.

Merge Request GitLab Best Practices

Merge requests in GitLab offer robust features tailored for teams relying on CI/CD and granular role management. By utilizing GitLab’s unique tools, teams can improve their development workflows. Here are the best practices:

Integrate CI/CD Pipelines

One of GitLab’s standout features is its seamless integration with CI/CD pipelines. Set up your pipeline to automatically test, build, and validate your changes before approval.

Example: "Using CI/CD integration in your GitLab merge request ensures only validated code is merged into the main branch."

Organize with Labels, Milestones, and Linked Issues

GitLab’s interface allows you to organize merge requests with labels, linked issues, and milestones. This provides a clear context for reviewers and keeps projects on track.

Example: "Adding labels and linking issues to a merge request in GitLab improves visibility and helps prioritize reviews."

Assign Roles Effectively

GitLab provides a clear distinction between assignees and reviewers. Assignees are responsible for making changes, while reviewers focus on providing feedback.

Example: "Understanding the GitLab assignee vs reviewer distinction ensures clarity in responsibilities during the review process."

Approvals and Permissions

The GitLab approve merge request feature enables teams to enforce minimum approval rules before merging. This fosters accountability and ensures that code meets the team’s quality standards.

The Benefits of Pull Requests and Merge Requests

So now that we've seen the differences between pull requests and merge requests, let's see the benefits of using them:

1. Improved Code Quality
   These processes enable thorough code reviews, helping teams identify and fix issues early, ultimately improving the reliability of the codebase.

2. Enhanced Collaboration
   Pull Requests and Merge Requests create a platform for discussion, feedback, and alignment, fostering teamwork and knowledge sharing among developers.

3. Structured Version Control
   By isolating changes in branches, these workflows maintain a clear version history, making it easier to track, review, and revert changes when needed.

4. Risk Mitigation
   The controlled review and approval process ensures that only stable, tested code is integrated into the main branch, reducing the risk of introducing errors.

5. Auditing and Compliance
   For teams adhering to standards like SOC 2 or ISO 27001, Pull Requests and Merge Requests create a documented review process that ensures compliance. This audit trail is really useful, almost mandatory, for demonstrating accountability and meeting regulatory requirements.

6. Parallel Development
   Developers can work on multiple features or fixes simultaneously without conflicts, thanks to the isolated branching structure of Pull Requests and Merge Requests.

7. Continuous Feedback Loop
   Developers gain valuable feedback from peers during the review process, fostering learning and encouraging continuous improvement.

These benefits highlight the importance of Pull Requests and Merge Requests in maintaining quality, collaboration, and compliance in software development workflows.

Improve Your Development Process with Axolo

Either way, working on merge vs pull requests effectively can be a challenge, especially for teams striving to maintain high-quality code while ensuring fast and efficient collaboration. Axolo is here to bridge those gaps and help your team improve their workflow.

With Axolo’s two-way Slack integration, you can eliminate context switching, stay notified in real-time, and significantly reduce time-to-merge metrics by up to 50%. By streamlining communication and collaboration, Axolo empowers engineering teams to be more agile and responsive to changes, keeping your team competitive in a fast-paced development environment.

Here’s why teams love Axolo:

• Automated Reviewer Assignment: Axolo ensures the right reviewers are assigned automatically, saving time and improving the efficiency of your review process.
• Seamless Slack Integration: Stay connected and informed without switching between tools, with features like real-time updates, Slack threads for code comments, and synchronized communication.
• Improved Metrics: By focusing on collaboration, Axolo helps teams reduce the time it takes to merge changes, enhancing agility and productivity.

As Joe Rowley, VP of Engineering at Curebase, shares:

“Our developers have really enjoyed the increased focus it brings, which is especially important as our team grows. As a fully remote organization, using the correct communication tools is vital, and Axolo balances things nicely.”

Ready to take your development process to the next level? Try Axolo for free and experience the difference it can make in managing your GitHub pull requests and GitLab merge requests.

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