GitHub Enhances Pull Request 'Files Changed' Page in Public Preview

GitHub has announced a series of updates to its new pull request “Files changed” page, which has been available in public preview since June. These enhancements aim to replace the existing page with a more accessible and efficient platform for developers to review pull requests of varying sizes, according to GitHub.

Improved User Experience

The updated page now allows users to comment on individual files, including binary, deleted, and renamed files, maintaining the functionality available on the classic page. Significant improvements have been made to the page's performance, particularly in responsiveness and interaction, as measured by Interaction to Next Paint (INP). These include minimizing unnecessary re-renders after page load and enhancing responsiveness when clicking the add comment button.

Addressing Known Issues

GitHub has also resolved several issues based on user feedback. These fixes include addressing problems with expanding diff hunks for files with special characters, incorrect diff content for large pull requests, and the file tree disappearing at certain screen widths. Additionally, the “Resolve comment” feature has been improved to a full-size button, and a “processing updates” message now appears when changes pushed to a pull request branch are not yet ready for display.

Feature Parity and Limitations

While the new page offers several enhancements, there are still features from the existing page that are not yet available. These include rich diff previews for image and markdown files, reviewing a single commit, code scanning alerts, and keyboard shortcuts. Moreover, the new page is currently limited to displaying the first 300 files of a pull request; users needing to view larger pull requests can switch to the classic page.

Future Improvements and Feedback

GitHub is actively tracking and addressing bugs related to filtering, diff rendering, and the new comments and review submission panels. The company encourages users to provide feedback, report issues, and stay updated through the feedback discussion page. Developers are invited to try out the new experience by selecting the “Try the new experience” option on the current “Files changed” page.