Pull requests are the heartbeat of modern software development. Every feature, every fix, every improvement flows through this single checkpoint. Yet most teams treat PRs as passive artifacts - something to review and merge, not an opportunity for active improvement.
What if every PR automatically improved itself? What if code quality issues fixed themselves before reviewers even looked? What if documentation updated automatically, tests generated themselves, and security vulnerabilities patched on their own?
Devonair makes this real. By triggering AI-powered automation at key moments in the PR lifecycle, Devonair transforms pull requests from static snapshots into dynamic, self-improving contributions.
This guide covers everything Devonair can do with PR events: what gets automated, when it triggers, and how to build workflows that make every pull request better than what the developer originally submitted.
The Four PR Events Devonair Responds To
Pull requests have a lifecycle. Devonair hooks into each stage to provide different automation opportunities.
When a PR Is Created
The moment a developer opens a pull request, Devonair's AI springs into action:
@devonair when PR is created:
- Fix obvious code issues before review begins
- Add missing documentation automatically
- Generate initial test coverage
- Scan for security vulnerabilities
- Enforce style guide compliance
- Add type annotations to untyped code
This is your first chance to improve code quality. Issues that Devonair catches here never waste reviewer time.
When Commits Are Added
Every push to an open PR triggers Devonair again:
@devonair when commits are pushed:
- Analyze only the new commits
- Apply fixes to newly added code
- Update tests to match code changes
- Keep documentation synchronized
- Catch regressions immediately
- Maintain consistency across iterations
PRs often go through multiple iterations. Devonair improves each one.
When a PR Is Closed
When a PR is closed without merging, Devonair captures the learning:
@devonair when PR is closed:
- Document why it was closed
- Extract any reusable patterns
- Clean up related branches
- Update linked issues
- Preserve decision context for the future
Closed PRs contain valuable information. Devonair makes sure it doesn't disappear.
When a PR Is Merged
When code enters the main branch, Devonair handles the aftermath:
@devonair when PR is merged:
- Generate changelog entries automatically
- Trigger documentation deployments
- Notify downstream dependencies
- Update project tracking (JIRA, etc.)
- Cascade updates to related repositories
Merging isn't the end - it's the beginning of integration. Devonair manages what comes next.
PR Created: Devonair's First-Pass Improvements
The moment a PR opens is the best opportunity for improvement. Issues fixed now never consume reviewer attention.
Automatic Code Formatting
Devonair enforces consistent style without human effort:
@devonair format code on PR creation:
- Apply team's formatting rules
- Organize imports consistently
- Fix whitespace issues
- Commit changes back to the PR branch
No more review comments about indentation or bracket placement. Devonair handles it before anyone looks.
Linting and Auto-Fixes
Devonair catches and fixes common issues immediately:
@devonair fix linting issues:
- Run your linter configuration
- Auto-fix all fixable violations
- Add comments for issues requiring human decision
- Report what was fixed and what needs attention
Developers see what Devonair fixed before reviewers even open the PR.
Type Annotation Addition
Devonair adds types to untyped code:
@devonair add type annotations:
- Identify functions missing types
- Infer types from usage patterns
- Add TypeScript or Python type hints
- Verify AI-inferred types are correct
Gradual typing happens automatically. Devonair does the tedious work.
Documentation Generation
With Devonair, code never ships undocumented:
@devonair generate documentation:
- Find undocumented public functions
- Generate JSDoc, docstrings, or comments
- Update README if API changed
- Add inline explanations for complex logic
Documentation gets created at the moment of maximum context - when the code is first written.
Test Generation
Devonair improves test coverage automatically:
@devonair generate tests for new code:
- Analyze new and modified functions
- Generate unit tests covering main paths
- Add edge case coverage
- Create integration test stubs where appropriate
Tests get written while the code is fresh, not months later during a "testing sprint."
Security Scanning
Devonair catches vulnerabilities before they reach main:
@devonair scan for security issues:
- Check for common vulnerability patterns
- Detect hardcoded secrets or credentials
- Identify vulnerable dependencies
- Flag authentication and authorization issues
Security problems get caught on the first commit, not in a production incident.
Dependency Analysis
Devonair understands what dependency changes mean:
@devonair analyze dependency changes:
- Detect package.json/requirements.txt changes
- Check new dependencies for vulnerabilities
- Verify license compliance
- Assess breaking change risk
Dependency changes get proper scrutiny from Devonair before humans review.
Commits Added: Devonair's Continuous Improvement
PRs evolve through multiple commits. Devonair improves each iteration.
Incremental Fixes
Devonair fixes issues in new code without redoing previous work:
@devonair on new commits:
- Analyze only the new commits
- Apply same quality improvements
- Skip already-fixed code
- Maintain previous improvements
New code gets the same treatment as the initial submission.
Test Synchronization
Devonair keeps tests aligned as implementation changes:
@devonair keep tests current:
- Detect code changes that affect tests
- Update test expectations
- Add tests for new code paths
- Remove tests for deleted code
Tests evolve with implementation. Devonair keeps them in sync.
Documentation Updates
Devonair maintains documentation accuracy as code changes:
@devonair update docs with code:
- Detect API signature changes
- Update related documentation
- Revise inline comments
- Maintain accuracy through iterations
Documentation never falls behind because Devonair updates it on every commit.
Regression Detection
Devonair catches when fixes break other things:
@devonair detect regressions:
- Compare new commits to previous state
- Identify unintended behavioral changes
- Flag potential regressions
- Alert developers before reviewers find issues
Problems get caught before they compound.
Conflict Prevention
Devonair helps avoid merge conflicts:
@devonair prevent merge conflicts:
- Check for conflicts with target branch
- Suggest rebasing when appropriate
- Auto-resolve simple conflicts
- Alert on complex conflicts early
Merge conflicts get addressed continuously, not at the last minute.
Review Readiness
Devonair keeps PRs ready for review:
@devonair maintain review readiness:
- Update PR description with latest changes
- Refresh test results
- Update coverage metrics
- Ensure reviewer always sees current state
The PR stays in a reviewable state through every iteration.
PR Closed: Devonair Learns from Abandonment
Closed PRs aren't failures - they're learning opportunities. Devonair captures the value.
Closure Documentation
Devonair helps teams understand why PRs close:
@devonair document PR closure:
- Analyze closure context
- Document apparent reasons
- Link to alternative approaches
- Preserve decision context
Future developers understand what was tried and why it didn't proceed.
Pattern Extraction
Devonair learns from attempted changes:
@devonair extract patterns from closed PRs:
- Identify useful code patterns
- Extract potentially reusable components
- Note approaches that didn't work
- Feed learnings into future automation
Even closed PRs teach lessons. Devonair captures them.
Branch Cleanup
Devonair keeps your repository tidy:
@devonair clean up after closed PR:
- Delete source branch if configured
- Archive if preservation needed
- Update related branch references
- Maintain clean repository state
Closed PRs don't leave debris. Devonair cleans up.
Issue Updates
Devonair keeps issue tracking current:
@devonair update linked issues:
- Add closure notes to linked issues
- Update issue status appropriately
- Suggest alternative approaches
- Keep issue state accurate
Issues reflect current reality because Devonair keeps them updated.
Knowledge Capture
Devonair preserves institutional knowledge:
@devonair capture knowledge:
- Summarize the attempted approach
- Document blockers encountered
- Note technical decisions made
- Add to team knowledge base
Knowledge persists beyond closed PRs when Devonair captures it.
PR Merged: Devonair's Post-Merge Automation
Merging is a beginning, not an end. Devonair handles everything that should happen after.
Changelog Generation
Devonair creates release notes automatically:
@devonair generate changelog:
- Analyze merged changes
- Generate appropriate changelog entry
- Categorize as feature, fix, or improvement
- Update CHANGELOG.md automatically
Changelogs maintain themselves. Devonair writes them.
Documentation Deployment
Devonair keeps docs in sync with code:
@devonair deploy documentation:
- Detect documentation changes in PR
- Trigger documentation builds
- Update API reference sites
- Deploy updated documentation
Documentation deploys with code. Devonair coordinates it.
Downstream Notifications
Devonair alerts affected systems:
@devonair notify downstream:
- Identify downstream dependencies
- Send notifications to affected teams
- Trigger dependent update PRs
- Cascade changes appropriately
Dependencies stay informed because Devonair notifies them.
Project Tracking Updates
Devonair keeps management tools current:
@devonair update project tracking:
- Move JIRA tickets to done
- Close related GitHub issues
- Update project boards
- Record velocity metrics
Project tracking stays accurate because Devonair updates it automatically.
Metric Updates
Devonair tracks what matters:
@devonair update metrics:
- Calculate new coverage numbers
- Update code health scores
- Track quality trends
- Report to dashboards
Metrics reflect reality because Devonair computes them on every merge.
Integration Triggers
Devonair starts downstream processes:
@devonair trigger post-merge:
- Initiate deployment pipelines
- Start integration test suites
- Begin release processes
- Notify operations teams
Merge triggers what comes next. Devonair orchestrates it.
Complete Workflows with Devonair
Individual automations combine into powerful workflows.
The Quality Gate Workflow
Devonair ensures every PR meets standards:
@devonair quality workflow:
When PR created:
- Format all code
- Fix linting violations
- Generate missing tests
- Add documentation
- Run security scan
When commits added:
- Apply same fixes to new code
- Update tests and docs
- Maintain quality bar
When PR merged:
- Update changelog
- Deploy documentation
- Update quality metrics
Quality enforced at every step by Devonair.
The Documentation Workflow
Devonair keeps documentation perpetually current:
@devonair documentation workflow:
When PR created:
- Generate function documentation
- Update API references
- Check README accuracy
When commits added:
- Update docs for code changes
- Maintain consistency
When PR merged:
- Build and deploy docs
- Update version references
- Archive old versions
Documentation maintains itself with Devonair.
The Security Workflow
Devonair provides continuous security assurance:
@devonair security workflow:
When PR created:
- Full vulnerability scan
- Secret detection
- Dependency audit
- Report all findings
When commits added:
- Scan new code
- Verify previous fixes still apply
- Check for new issues
When PR merged:
- Final security verification
- Update security metrics
- Notify security team if needed
Security checked continuously by Devonair.
The Testing Workflow
Devonair automates comprehensive testing:
@devonair testing workflow:
When PR created:
- Generate unit tests
- Add integration tests
- Measure coverage
When commits added:
- Update tests for changes
- Expand coverage
- Verify no regressions
When PR merged:
- Run final test suite
- Update coverage reports
- Archive test results
Testing automated end-to-end with Devonair.
Configuring Devonair for Your Workflow
Event Selection
Choose which events trigger Devonair:
@devonair configure events:
Run on every PR:
- Formatting
- Linting
- Security scanning
Run selectively:
- Test generation (for code changes)
- Documentation (for API changes)
- Type annotations (for untyped files)
Run optionally:
- Changelog updates
- Issue linking
- Team notifications
Configure Devonair for your team's needs.
Timing Configuration
Control when Devonair runs:
@devonair configure timing:
Immediate (blocking):
- Security scanning
- Critical lint checks
Background (non-blocking):
- Test generation
- Documentation
- Metrics
Batched (periodic):
- Heavy analysis
- Cross-repository patterns
Balance speed with thoroughness.
Failure Handling
Configure how Devonair handles problems:
@devonair configure failures:
When automation fails:
- Comment explaining the issue
- Don't block the PR
- Allow manual override
- Log for investigation
Recovery options:
- Retry on next commit
- Manual trigger available
- Graceful degradation
Devonair helps without hindering.
Measuring Devonair's Impact
Quality Improvements
Track code quality gains:
@devonair measure quality:
- Issues fixed automatically
- Review iterations reduced
- Defects caught pre-merge
- Code health trends
See how Devonair improves quality.
Time Savings
Quantify efficiency gains:
@devonair measure efficiency:
- Developer hours saved
- Reviewer hours saved
- PR cycle time reduction
- Time to first review
Measure the time Devonair saves.
Team Adoption
Track how teams use Devonair:
@devonair measure adoption:
- Automation trigger rate
- Override frequency
- Feature usage patterns
- Team satisfaction
Understand how Devonair fits your workflow.
Getting Started with Devonair PR Automation
Initial Setup
Start with fundamentals:
@devonair initial setup:
- Connect your GitHub repositories
- Enable PR event triggers
- Start with formatting automation
- Add linting fixes
Begin with low-risk, high-value automation.
Gradual Expansion
Build on success:
@devonair expand automation:
- Add documentation generation
- Enable test creation
- Include security scanning
- Configure merge automation
Add capabilities as confidence grows.
Continuous Optimization
Improve over time:
@devonair optimize:
- Review automation metrics
- Gather team feedback
- Adjust configuration
- Add requested features
Devonair automation should evolve with your team.
PR event automation with Devonair transforms how code flows through your organization. By triggering AI-driven automation at each stage of the PR lifecycle, you catch issues earlier, maintain higher quality, and free developers to focus on creative work. Start with a single event type, prove value, and expand from there.
FAQ
Does Devonair slow down the development process?
No - Devonair speeds things up. Automation runs asynchronously without blocking developers. Issues caught automatically don't require reviewer feedback cycles. Teams using Devonair see faster PR cycle times, not slower.
What if Devonair makes changes developers don't want?
Developers always have final control. Devonair commits changes to the PR branch for review, never directly to main. Developers can revert, modify, or reject any automated change before merging.
How does Devonair handle automation failures?
Devonair fails gracefully. If an automation step fails, it comments on the PR explaining the issue without blocking progress. Developers can trigger retries manually or proceed without that automation.
Can Devonair automate only certain types of PRs?
Yes. You can configure Devonair based on which files changed, which directories are affected, PR labels, or authors. Run heavy automation on feature PRs while skipping documentation-only changes.
How do we get team buy-in for Devonair?
Start with formatting - it's low-risk and universally appreciated. Let the team experience the benefits before expanding. Gather feedback actively and adjust based on concerns. Devonair should feel helpful, not imposed.