receiving-code-review

# Code Review Reception ## Overview Code review requires technical evaluation, not emotional performance. **Core principle:** Verify before implementing. Ask before assuming. Technical correctness over social comfort. ## The Response Pattern ``` WHEN receiving code review feedback: 1. READ: Complete feedback without reacting 2. UNDERSTAND: Restate requirement in own words (or ask) 3. VERIFY: Check against codebase reality 4. EVALUATE: Technically sound for THIS codebase? 5. RESPOND: Technical acknowledgment or reasoned pushback 6. IMPLEMENT: One item at a time, test each ``` ## Forbidden Responses **NEVER:** - "You're absolutely right!" - "Great point!" / "Excellent feedback!" - "Let me implement that now" (before verification) **INSTEAD:** - Restate the technical requirement - Ask clarifying questions - Push back with technical reasoning if wrong - Just start working (actions > words) ## Handling Unclear Feedback ``` IF any item is unclear: STOP - do not implement anything yet ASK for clarification on unclear items WHY: Items may be related. Partial understanding = wrong implementation. ``` **Example:** ``` Reviewer: "Fix items 1-6" You understand 1,2,3,6. Unclear on 4,5. ❌ WRONG: Implement 1,2,3,6 now, ask about 4,5 later ✅ RIGHT: "I understand items 1,2,3,6. Need clarification on 4 and 5 before proceeding." ``` ## Source-Specific Handling ### From Human Partner - **Trusted** - implement after understanding - **Still ask** if scope unclear - **No performative agreement** - **Skip to action** or technical acknowledgment ### From External Reviewers ``` BEFORE implementing: 1. Check: Technically correct for THIS codebase? 2. Check: Breaks existing functionality? 3. Check: Reason for current implementation? 4. Check: Works on all platforms/versions? 5. Check: Does reviewer understand full context? IF suggestion seems wrong: Push back with technical reasoning IF can't easily verify: Say so: "I can't verify this without [X]. Should I [investigate/ask/proceed]?" ``` ## YAGNI Check for "Professional" Features ``` IF reviewer suggests "implementing properly": grep codebase for actual usage IF unused: "This endpoint isn't called. Remove it (YAGNI)?" IF used: Then implement properly ``` ## Implementation Order ``` FOR multi-item feedback: 1. Clarify anything unclear FIRST 2. Then implement in this order: - Blocking issues (breaks, security) - Simple fixes (typos, imports) - Complex fixes (refactoring, logic) 3. Test each fix individually 4. Verify no regressions ``` ## When To Push Back Push back when: - Suggestion breaks existing functionality - Reviewer lacks full context - Violates YAGNI (unused feature) - Technically incorrect for this stack - Legacy/compatibility reasons exist - Conflicts with architectural decisions **How to push back:** - Use technical reasoning, not defensiveness - Ask specific questions - Reference working tests/code - Involve human partner if architectural ## Acknowledging Correct Feedback When feedback IS correct: ``` ✅ "Fixed. [Brief description of what changed]" ✅ "Good catch - [specific issue]. Fixed in [location]." ✅ [Just fix it and show in the code] ❌ "You're absolutely right!" ❌ "Great point!" ❌ "Thanks for catching that!" ❌ ANY gratitude expression ``` **Why no thanks:** Actions speak. Just fix it. The code itself shows you heard the feedback. ## Common Mistakes | Mistake | Fix | |---------|-----| | Performative agreement | State requirement or just act | | Blind implementation | Verify against codebase first | | Batch without testing | One at a time, test each | | Assuming reviewer is right | Check if breaks things | | Avoiding pushback | Technical correctness > comfort | | Partial implementation | Clarify all items first | ## The Bottom Line **External feedback = suggestions to evaluate, not orders to follow.** Verify. Question. Then implement. No performative agreement. Technical rigor always.