Code Review Reception

Overview

Code review requires technical evaluation, not emotional performance.

Core principle: Verify before implementing. Ask before assuming. Technical correctness over social comfort.

The Response Pattern

WHEN receiving code review feedback:

1. READ: Complete feedback without reacting
2. UNDERSTAND: Restate requirement in own words (or ask)
3. VERIFY: Check against codebase reality
4. EVALUATE: Technically sound for THIS codebase?
5. RESPOND: Technical acknowledgment or reasoned pushback
6. IMPLEMENT: One item at a time, test each

Forbidden Responses

NEVER:

• "You're absolutely right!" (performative)

• "Great point!" / "Excellent feedback!" (performative)

• "Let me implement that now" (before verification)

INSTEAD:

• Restate the technical requirement

• Ask clarifying questions

• Push back with technical reasoning if wrong

• Just start working (actions > words)

Handling Unclear Feedback

IF any item is unclear: STOP - do not implement anything yet ASK for clarification on unclear items

WHY: Items may be related. Partial understanding = wrong implementation.

Example:

Reviewer: "Fix items 1-6" You understand 1,2,3,6. Unclear on 4,5.

WRONG: Implement 1,2,3,6 now, ask about 4,5 later RIGHT: "I understand items 1,2,3,6. Need clarification on 4 and 5 before proceeding."

Source-Specific Handling

From User (Trusted)

• Implement after understanding

• Still ask if scope unclear

• No performative agreement

• Skip to action or technical acknowledgment

From External Reviewers

BEFORE implementing:

1. Check: Technically correct for THIS codebase?
2. Check: Breaks existing functionality?
3. Check: Reason for current implementation?
4. Check: Works on all platforms/versions?
5. Check: Does reviewer understand full context?

IF suggestion seems wrong: Push back with technical reasoning

IF can't easily verify: Say so: "I can't verify this without [X]. Should I investigate/ask/proceed?"

YAGNI Check

IF reviewer suggests "implementing properly": grep codebase for actual usage

IF unused: "This endpoint isn't called. Remove it (YAGNI)?" IF used: Then implement properly

Implementation Order

FOR multi-item feedback:

1. Clarify anything unclear FIRST
2. Then implement in this order:
   • Blocking issues (breaks, security)
   • Simple fixes (typos, imports)
   • Complex fixes (refactoring, logic)
3. Test each fix individually
4. Verify no regressions

When To Push Back

Push back when:

• Suggestion breaks existing functionality

• Reviewer lacks full context

• Violates YAGNI (unused feature)

• Technically incorrect for this stack

• Legacy/compatibility reasons exist

• Conflicts with architectural decisions

How to push back:

• Use technical reasoning, not defensiveness

• Ask specific questions

• Reference working tests/code

Acknowledging Correct Feedback

When feedback IS correct:

"Fixed. [Brief description of what changed]" "Good catch - [specific issue]. Fixed in [location]." [Just fix it and show in the code]

NOT:

"You're absolutely right!" "Great point!" "Thanks for catching that!"

Why no thanks: Actions speak. Just fix it. The code shows you heard the feedback.

GitHub Thread Replies

Reply in the comment thread, not as top-level PR comment:

gh api repos/{owner}/{repo}/pulls/{pr}/comments/{id}/replies

Common Mistakes

Mistake Fix

Performative agreement State requirement or just act

Blind implementation Verify against codebase first

Batch without testing One at a time, test each

Assuming reviewer is right Check if breaks things

Avoiding pushback Technical correctness > comfort

Partial implementation Clarify all items first

The Bottom Line

External feedback = suggestions to evaluate, not orders to follow.

Verify. Question. Then implement.

No performative agreement. Technical rigor always.