git-pr-recovery

name	git-pr-recovery
description	Safely push recovered issue-scoped fixes onto an existing PR branch without disturbing a dirty local workspace.
domain	git-workflow
confidence	high
source	earned

Context

Use this when the right code already exists in a dirty local branch, but the real PR branch on origin is missing those fixes and must be updated without overwriting unrelated local work.

Patterns

• Create or reuse a dedicated worktree for the target PR branch instead of checking it out in the dirty workspace.
• When a reviewer reports that a prerequisite PR is missing from main, verify with git fetch, git rev-parse origin/main, and git merge-base HEAD origin/main before rebasing; stale local refs can create a false blocker.
• Copy only the issue-scoped files into the worktree, then validate there with the repo's normal build/test command before committing.
• If the recovery also needs a visible review note and the PR is effectively under the same GitHub user account, post a regular PR comment instead of a formal approval review.
• Record the recovery decision in .squad/decisions/inbox/ so the team knows the branch was repaired intentionally.

Examples

• Source branch with repaired files: neo/pr-recovery-731-732
• Target PR branch: issue-731-user-publisher-settings
• Temporary safe workspace: .worktrees\issue-731-recovery
• Visible GitHub note: PR #756 comment confirming recovery push + merge readiness

Anti-Patterns

• Do not switch the dirty workspace to the PR branch just to move files.
• Do not discard uncommitted recovery work after the push; preserve it until the branch lands.
• Do not submit a formal PR approval when protocol calls for a plain comment instead.