| name | ls-requesting-code-review |
| description | Use when requesting code review before merge or after substantial changes; provide focused requirements, diff range, and severity-calibrated review instructions. |
| metadata | {"version":"1.0"} |
| extensions | {"external_skill":{"source_kind":"adapted-import","source_url":"https://github.com/obra/superpowers","source_path":"skills/requesting-code-review/SKILL.md","source_commit":"d884ae04edebef577e82ff7c4e143debd0bbec99","source_ref":"v6.1.1","source_sha256":"1017ccdd5bc61fab67c654cf118cbdb520464b313073a0a6b9a6b9aa647a3ad6","license":"MIT","import_date":"2026-07-03","vetting_status":"provenance-recorded-no-bundled-tooling-executed"}} |
Requesting Code Review
Request a focused code review to catch issues before they cascade. The reviewer gets precisely crafted context for evaluation, never your session's history. This keeps the reviewer focused on the work product, not your thought process, and preserves your own context for continued work.
Core principle: Review early, review often.
When to Request Review
Mandatory:
- After each substantial task in a controller-led worker/tester/reviewer flow
- After completing a major feature
- Before merge to main
Optional but valuable:
- When stuck (fresh perspective)
- Before refactoring (baseline check)
- After fixing a complex bug
How to Request
1. Get git SHAs:
BASE_SHA=$(git rev-parse HEAD~1)
HEAD_SHA=$(git rev-parse HEAD)
2. Request a read-only code review:
Ask a reviewer to use the template at references/code-reviewer.md.
Placeholders:
{DESCRIPTION} - Brief summary of what you built
{PLAN_OR_REQUIREMENTS} - What it should do
{BASE_SHA} - Starting commit
{HEAD_SHA} - Ending commit
3. Act on feedback:
- Fix Critical issues immediately
- Fix Important issues before proceeding
- Note Minor issues for later
- Push back if reviewer is wrong, with reasoning
Example
[Just completed Task 2: Add verification function]
You: Requesting code review before proceeding.
BASE_SHA=$(git log --oneline | grep "Task 1" | head -1 | awk '{print $1}')
HEAD_SHA=$(git rev-parse HEAD)
[Request code review]
DESCRIPTION: Added verifyIndex() and repairIndex() with 4 issue types
PLAN_OR_REQUIREMENTS: Task 2 from docs/superpowers/plans/deployment-plan.md
BASE_SHA: a7981ec
HEAD_SHA: 3df7661
[Reviewer returns]:
Strengths: Clean architecture, real tests
Issues:
Important: Missing progress indicators
Minor: Magic number (100) for reporting interval
Assessment: Ready to proceed
You: [Fix progress indicators]
[Continue to Task 3]
Integration with Workflows
Controller-led development:
- Review after each substantial task
- Catch issues before they compound
- Fix before moving to the next task
Executing Plans:
- Review after each task or at natural checkpoints
- Get feedback, apply, continue
Ad-Hoc Development:
- Review before merge
- Review when stuck
Red Flags
Never:
- Skip review because "it's simple"
- Ignore Critical issues
- Proceed with unfixed Important issues
- Argue with valid technical feedback
If reviewer wrong:
- Push back with technical reasoning
- Show code/tests that prove it works
- Request clarification
See template at: references/code-reviewer.md