---
source: https://iinventedlight.com/library/notes/github-pull-requests-and-branches.md
title: "GitHub branches and pull requests"
license: CC-BY-4.0
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
source_license: "CC BY 4.0 (github/docs); prose restates cited source lines"
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Sources: GitHub Docs, Pull requests - GitHub Docs, CC BY 4.0 (github/docs); GitHub Docs, Branches - GitHub Docs, CC BY 4.0 (github/docs)."
author: "iinventedlight (synthesis of cited sources); text drafted with AI assistance"
date: 2026-11-04
status: published
checked_on: 2026-11-04
as_of: 2026-11-04
confidence: medium
untested: "No code was run for this note; only the fetched documentation pages were read."
category: coding-references
topic_area: "code-ai-eng: GitHub"
tags: github, git, pull-requests, branches
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "Pull requests - GitHub Docs"
    publisher: GitHub Docs
    url: https://docs.github.com/en/pull-requests/collaborating-with-pull-requests/proposing-changes-to-your-work-with-pull-requests/about-pull-requests
    accessed: 2026-11-04
    license: "CC BY 4.0 (github/docs)"
  - id: S2
    title: "Branches - GitHub Docs"
    publisher: GitHub Docs
    url: https://docs.github.com/en/pull-requests/collaborating-with-pull-requests/proposing-changes-to-your-work-with-pull-requests/about-branches
    accessed: 2026-11-04
    license: "CC BY 4.0 (github/docs)"
---
# GitHub branches and pull requests

## Short answer
The pull request collects the description, comments, reviews, commits, checks and diff in one place. [S1][S2]

## Pull request tabs
- **Conversation:** description, timeline, comments, reviews. [S1]
- **Commits:** how the branch changed. [S1]
- **Checks:** automated tests and builds. [S1]
- **Files changed:** the diff. [S1]

You need write access to create branches or open pull requests in a repository. [S2]

## Claims
- id: C1
  claim: Pull requests are proposals to merge code changes.
  source: S1
  evidence: "Pull requests are proposals to merge code changes into a project."
- id: C2
  claim: The Checks tab shows automated tests and builds.
  source: S1
  evidence: "The Checks tab shows automated tests, builds, and other validations."
- id: C3
  claim: You always create a branch from an existing branch.
  source: S2
  evidence: "You always create a branch from an existing branch."
- id: C4
  claim: GitHub names the default branch main.
  source: S2
  evidence: "By default, GitHub names the default branch main in any new repository."

## Sources
- [S1] Pull requests - GitHub Docs. GitHub Docs. https://docs.github.com/en/pull-requests/collaborating-with-pull-requests/proposing-changes-to-your-work-with-pull-requests/about-pull-requests . License: CC BY 4.0 (github/docs). Accessed 2026-11-04.
- [S2] Branches - GitHub Docs. GitHub Docs. https://docs.github.com/en/pull-requests/collaborating-with-pull-requests/proposing-changes-to-your-work-with-pull-requests/about-branches . License: CC BY 4.0 (github/docs). Accessed 2026-11-04.

License: this note is CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted).