Developer Tools

How do I update a pull request?

Updated 2026-08-14

Quick answer

To update a pull request, you need to push your changes to the branch associated with the pull request. The pull request will automatically reflect these changes.

This guide explains how to update a pull request by pushing changes to the associated branch and addresses common questions.

Steps

  1. 1

    Make Changes Locally

    Edit your files in the local repository to implement the desired changes.

  2. 2

    Commit Your Changes

    Run `git add .` to stage your changes, followed by `git commit -m 'Your message'` to commit them.

  3. 3

    Push Changes to Remote Branch

    Execute `git push origin your-branch-name` to update the remote branch associated with the pull request.

  4. 4

    Check the Pull Request

    Visit the pull request page on your platform to ensure the changes are reflected.

Understanding Pull Requests

A pull request (PR) is a request to merge code changes from one branch into another. Updating a PR involves making changes to the branch and pushing those changes.

Platform-Specific Steps

The steps to update a pull request may vary slightly depending on the platform (e.g., GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket).

Watch out for

  • Ensure you are pushing to the correct branch associated with the pull request to avoid confusion.
  • If your pull request is already merged, you cannot update it; you will need to create a new pull request.

FAQ

What if I need to change the base branch of my pull request?

You can change the base branch by navigating to the pull request page and selecting a different base branch from the dropdown menu.

Can I update a pull request after it has been approved?

Yes, you can update a pull request even after it has been approved. The approval will be removed until the changes are reviewed again.

How do I resolve merge conflicts in a pull request?

You can resolve merge conflicts by pulling the latest changes from the base branch into your branch, resolving conflicts locally, and then pushing the resolved changes.