Empirically supported code review best practices

Code reviews are an essential component of efficient engineering processes, aiming to catch defects early, distribute context among team members, and maintain code quality as codebases grow. To achieve this, a balance between speed and accuracy is crucial, with lightweight processes enabling rapid feedback while maintaining standards. Techniques for improving code reviews include starting with a clear description, using smaller pull requests, and stacking related PRs for parallel workstreams, which can enhance efficiency and reduce development delays. To maintain manageable scopes, reviews should be limited to under 60 minutes and 400 lines of code to ensure focus and thoroughness, while avoiding context switching can further streamline the process. Checklists and automation can standardize and simplify reviews, allowing developers to concentrate on judgment-based tasks rather than rote processes. A predictable review cadence and short review cycles can enhance team velocity, while metrics tracking can offer insights for continuous improvement. Employing tools like Graphite facilitates the stacking process, promoting small, focused pull requests that expedite reviews and foster best practices with minimal training.

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