Create Pull Request from Specification

Create a GitHub Pull Request for a specification using the pull_request_template.md template located at ${workspaceFolder}/.github/pull_request_template.md.

Overview

This skill automates the creation of GitHub Pull Requests directly from specifications. It follows a structured process:

1. Analyzes the specification template requirements
2. Creates a draft PR with the target branch
3. Verifies no duplicate PRs exist
4. Updates PR body and title with template-compliant content
5. Marks PR as ready for review
6. Automatically assigns to the creator
7. Returns PR URL to user

Key Benefits:

• ✅ Automated PR creation from specifications
• ✅ Template-compliant PR body and title
• ✅ Duplicate PR prevention
• ✅ Auto-assignment to creator
• ✅ Streamlined spec-to-PR workflow

When to Use

Use this skill when:

1. Specification is ready to merge - Convert finalized spec to PR
2. Need automated PR creation - Avoid manual PR drafting
3. Template compliance required - Ensure PR follows pull_request_template.md
4. Multiple PRs from specs - Batch process specifications into PRs
5. Team collaboration - Share specs as PRs for review

Trigger phrases:

• "Create pull request from spec"
• "Convert spec to PR"
• "Open PR for specification"
• "Submit spec as pull request"
• "Automate PR creation"

Instructions

Prerequisites

Before using this skill, ensure:

• Specification file is finalized and ready for review
• Target branch is specified (e.g., main, develop)
• .github/pull_request_template.md exists in the repository
• You have write access to create PRs

Step-by-Step Process

1. Analyze specification template

• Extract requirements from ${workspaceFolder}/.github/pull_request_template.md
• Use search tool to parse template sections and placeholders

2. Create pull request draft

• Use create_pull_request tool to create draft PR to target branch
• First verify no existing PR exists using get_pull_request to prevent duplicates
• If PR already exists, stop and report to user

3. Get pull request changes

• Use get_pull_request_diff tool to analyze differences
• Verify code changes are correct before updating

4. Update pull request

• Use update_pull_request tool to populate PR body and title
• Incorporate template sections from step 1
• Ensure all required fields are filled

5. Mark ready for review

• Use update_pull_request tool to change state from draft to ready for review
• Verify PR is no longer in draft mode

6. Assign pull request

• Use get_me to retrieve current user information
• Use update_issue tool to assign PR to creator

7. Return pull request URL

• Provide user with clickable PR URL
• Include summary of PR contents

Examples

Example 1: Basic PR Creation

Input: Create PR from spec to main branch
Process:
  1. Analyze pull_request_template.md
  2. Create draft PR to main
  3. Check for existing PRs
  4. Update PR title: "feat: [Feature Name from Spec]"
  5. Update PR body with template sections
  6. Mark as ready for review
  7. Assign to creator
Output: https://github.com/user/repo/pull/123

Example 2: Template-Compliant PR

PR Title: feat: Implement user authentication system

PR Body:
## Description
Implements JWT-based authentication with token refresh mechanism

## Related Issue
Closes #456

## Changes
- Added JWT middleware
- Implemented token validation
- Added refresh token endpoint

## Testing
- Unit tests for auth middleware
- Integration tests for token endpoints

## Checklist
- [x] Tests pass
- [x] Documentation updated
- [x] No breaking changes

Example 3: Duplicate Prevention

Input: Create PR from spec
Check: PR for current branch already exists?
  → Yes: Report error, don't create duplicate
  → No: Proceed with PR creation
Output: "PR already exists at https://github.com/user/repo/pull/789"

Requirements

• Single pull request for the complete specification
• Clear title and body identifying the specification/feature
• Pull request body follows pull_request_template.md structure
• Verification that no duplicate pull requests exist
• PR automatically assigned to creator
• No draft PRs left behind

Success Criteria

• ✅ PR created without errors
• ✅ PR body follows pull_request_template.md structure
• ✅ PR title clearly identifies the specification/feature
• ✅ No duplicate PRs exist for the branch
• ✅ PR assigned to creator
• ✅ PR URL returned to user
• ✅ PR is ready for review (not in draft)

Constraints and Warnings

⚠️ Important:

• PR creation requires write access to repository
• Target branch must exist before PR creation
• Template file must exist at .github/pull_request_template.md
• Cannot create PR without valid branch target
• Duplicate PRs will be detected and rejected
• PR assignment requires valid GitHub user

🚫 Limitations:

• Does not perform code review automatically
• Does not trigger CI/CD pipelines
• Does not merge PRs automatically
• Cannot modify existing code, only PR metadata

Best Practices

1. Verify before creating - Always review specification before converting to PR
2. Use descriptive titles - PR titles should clearly indicate feature/fix purpose
3. Complete template - Ensure all required template sections are filled
4. Link related issues - Include issue references in PR body
5. Test first - Ensure all tests pass before creating PR
6. Team review - Get team approval before marking ready for review
7. Clean git history - Ensure commits are clean and well-documented

Tools Used

• search - Analyze specification template requirements
• create_pull_request - Create new PR in draft mode
• get_pull_request - Check for existing PRs before creation
• get_pull_request_diff - Analyze PR changes
• update_pull_request - Update PR title, body, and state
• update_issue - Assign PR to creator
• get_me - Retrieve current user information