Draft PRs and Pull Request Templates
Learn to use draft pull requests for early feedback and PR templates to standardize contributions on GitHub.
Draft PRs and Pull Request Templates is a free DevOps Bootcamp lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 4 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the DevOps Bootcamp learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
What is a Draft Pull Request?
A draft pull request signals that work is still in progress. It cannot be merged until marked ready, but it lets you share early and gather feedback.
Why Use Drafts?
Drafts are useful to:
- Show direction before finishing
- Trigger CI early
- Ask questions without requesting formal review
Creating a Draft PR on GitHub
On the New Pull Request page, click the dropdown next to the green button and choose Create draft pull request.
Creating a Draft from the CLI
With the GitHub CLI you can open a draft directly.
gh pr create --draft --title 'WIP: new search' --body 'Early work'Marking Ready for Review
When the work is done, mark the PR ready so reviewers are notified and merging becomes possible.
gh pr readyWhat is a PR Template?
A pull request template pre-fills the PR description with a checklist and sections, ensuring contributors include needed info.
Where Templates Live
GitHub looks for a template at .github/pull_request_template.md in the repository.
Writing a Template
A template is plain Markdown with the sections you want every PR to include.
## Summary
## Changes
-
## Checklist
- [ ] Tests added
- [ ] Docs updatedMultiple Templates
You can offer several templates by placing files in .github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE/ and selecting one via a query parameter.
?template=bugfix.mdLinking Issues Automatically
Use closing keywords in the PR body so merging the PR auto-closes the related issue.
Closes #42Combining Drafts and Templates
Open a draft early using the template, fill in sections as you progress, then mark ready. This keeps PRs consistent and reviewable.
Quick Check
Test your understanding of draft PRs and templates.
Recap
You learned about drafts and templates:
- Draft PRs share work early and block merging
gh pr readypromotes a draft- Templates live at
.github/pull_request_template.md - Closing keywords link and auto-close issues
Frequently asked questions
Is the “Draft PRs and Pull Request Templates” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “Draft PRs and Pull Request Templates” is free to read here on the web, and the DevOps Bootcamp course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the DevOps Bootcamp course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “Draft PRs and Pull Request Templates”?
Learn to use draft pull requests for early feedback and PR templates to standardize contributions on GitHub. You practise DevOps Bootcamp with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start DevOps Bootcamp?
No prior experience is required. DevOps Bootcamp on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 4 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “Draft PRs and Pull Request Templates” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this DevOps Bootcamp lesson?
Yes. Every DevOps Bootcamp lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- Creating & Reviewing Pull Requests
- Forking Workflows on GitHub
- Code Reviews & Approvals
- Draft PRs and Pull Request Templates