CodeRabbit Local Dev Loop
Overview
Use CodeRabbit CLI to review code locally before opening a PR. The CLI provides the same AI-powered review as the GitHub App but runs in your terminal against staged or unstaged changes. This creates a multi-layered review process: local CLI review before commit, then automated PR review after push.
Prerequisites
- CodeRabbit CLI installed (
curl -fsSL https://cli.coderabbit.ai/install.sh | sh)
- Git repository with
.coderabbit.yaml configuration
- CodeRabbit account (CLI uses credits: $0.25 per file reviewed)
Instructions
Step 1: Install and Verify CLI
set -euo pipefail
curl -fsSL https://cli.coderabbit.ai/install.sh | sh
cr --version
cr auth login
Step 2: Local Review Workflow
set -euo pipefail
git add -A
cr review
cr review src/api/routes.ts src/middleware/auth.ts
cr review --interactive
cr review --prompt-only
Step 3: Git Hook Integration
#!/bin/bash
set -euo pipefail
echo "Running CodeRabbit pre-push review..."
CHANGED_FILES=$(git diff --name-only @{push}.. 2>/dev/null || git diff --name-only HEAD~1)
if [ -n "$CHANGED_FILES" ]; then
echo "$CHANGED_FILES" | xargs cr review
fi
Step 4: Configuration for Local Development
language: "en-US"
reviews:
profile: "assertive"
path_instructions:
- path: "src/**"
instructions: "Check for proper error handling and type safety."
- path: "tests/**"
instructions: "Verify edge cases and assertion completeness."
path_filters:
- "!**/*.lock"
- "!dist/**"
- "!**/*.generated.*"
auto_review:
enabled: true
drafts: false
chat:
auto_reply: true
Step 5: IDE Integration Pattern
{
"version": "2.0.0",
"tasks": [
{
"label": "CodeRabbit: Review Current File",
"type": "shell",
"command": "cr review ${file}",
"presentation": { "reveal": "always", "panel": "shared" },
"problemMatcher": []
},
{
"label": "CodeRabbit: Review Staged Changes",
"type": "shell",
"command": "cr review",
"presentation": {
Two-Layer Review Strategy
Developer writes code
│
▼
┌──────────────────┐
│ cr review (local) │ ← Layer 1: Fast feedback before commit
│ Fix obvious issues│
└────────┬─────────┘
│
▼
git commit + push
│
▼
┌──────────────────┐
│ CodeRabbit App │ ← Layer 2: Full context review on PR
│ (automated PR │
│ review) │
└──────────────────┘
Output
- CodeRabbit CLI installed and authenticated
- Pre-push git hook for automated local reviews
- VS Code task integration for on-demand reviews
- Two-layer review workflow (local + PR)
Error Handling
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|
cr: command not found | CLI not in PATH | Re-run install script or add to PATH |
| Auth token expired | Session timeout | Run cr auth login again |
| "No credits remaining" | Usage-based billing exhausted | Purchase credits at app.coderabbit.ai |
| Review hangs on large file | File too large for AI context | Review specific files instead of all |
| Empty review output | No changed files detected | Stage changes with git add first |
Resources
Next Steps
See coderabbit-sdk-patterns for PR interaction automation patterns.
