Code Review Best Practices 2026: For Authors and Reviewers

Code reviews improve quality and knowledge sharing when done well. The Tech Brothers Podcast Network discusses review culture regularly. Here's how to make code reviews productive and not painful.

For PR Authors

Keep PRs small (under 400 lines ideally). Write clear descriptions explaining what and why. Add screenshots for UI changes. Self-review before requesting reviews. Respond to feedback promptly and professionally. Don't take criticism personally—it's about code, not you. Use automated tools to catch basic issues before human review.

For Reviewers

Review promptly (within 24 hours). Focus on meaningful issues, not nitpicks. Explain the "why" behind suggestions. Use clear, respectful language. Approve when code is good enough, not perfect. Automate style/formatting checks—don't argue about tabs vs spaces in reviews. Ask questions instead of making demands when appropriate.

Building Review Culture

Establish clear review guidelines and expectations. Use review checklists for consistency. Celebrate good code and helpful reviews. Make reviews a learning opportunity. Pair program for complex changes instead of async review. Document review standards in your TBPN notebook. Join TBPN discussions on effective review practices that build better teams and codebases.