requesting-code-review
Use when completing tasks, implementing major features, or before merging to verify work meets requirements
By obra · 226,156 installs
npx skills add obra/superpowers --skill requesting-code-review
Source repository · Upstream listing
Requesting Code Review
Dispatch a code reviewer subagent to catch issues before they cascade. The reviewer gets precisely crafted context for evaluation — never your session's history.
Core principle: Review early, review often.
When to Request Review
Mandatory:
After each task in subagent driven development
After completing major feature
Before merge to main
Optional but valuable:
When stuck (fresh perspective)
Before refactoring (baseline check)
After fixing complex bug
How to Request
1. Get git SHAs:
2. Dispatch code reviewer subagent:
Dispatch a general purpose subagent, filling the template at [code reviewer.md](code reviewer.md)
Placeholders:
{DESCRIPTION} Brief summary of what you built
{PLAN OR REQUIREMENTS} What it should do
{BASE SHA} Starting commit
{HEAD SHA} Ending commit
3. Act on feedback:
Fix Critical issues immediately
Fix Important issues before proceeding
Note Minor issues for later
Push back if reviewer is wrong (with reasoning)
Example
Common Rationalizations
Excuse Reality
"I'll just review the diff myself instead of dispatching a reviewer" You're the coordinator — reviewing the diff inline burns the context window you need to keep driving the work. Dispatch a reviewer subagent: the diff and the evaluation live in its context, and only the findings come back to you.
"The reviewer needs my whole session history to understand the change" Hand it precisely crafted context, never your session's history. That keeps the reviewer on the work product, not your thought process.
Red Flags
Never:
Skip review because "it's simple"
Ignore Critical issues
Proceed with unfixed Important issues
Argue with valid technical feedback
If reviewer wrong:
Push back with technical reasoning
Show code/tests that prove it works
Request clarification
See template at: [code reviewer.md](code reviewer.md)