# How To Create A Pull Request From Intellij In 6 Easy Steps

This tutorial will teach you how to open a pull request using Intellij IDE.

## Prerequisites:

* [IntelliJ IDEA](https://www.jetbrains.com/idea/).
    
* [Git](https://git-scm.com/downloads).
    

## 1\. Clone the GitHub Project

Use the command below to download the [project](https://github.com/MaddyGre/your-first-pr) on your local machine.

```powershell
git clone git@github.com:MaddyGre/your-first-pr.git
```

Then, import the project on IntelliJ.

## 2\. Create a New Branch

Let's create a new branch. To do this: use the following command.

```powershell
git checkout -b First_Branch
```

You can do this via the IntelliJ terminal.

![First_Branch.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1647687677501/IKbBYDyga.png align="center")

The **\-b** allows you to:

* Create a new branch (whose name is *First\_Branch*).
    
* Move from the *main* branch (the default branch) to the newly created branch.
    

You can see in which branch you're currently at the bottom of IntelliJ.

![Main_Branch.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1647687750926/pv4tKR9CW.png align="center")

Once you select enter, the branch name will change.

![First_Branch_created.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1647687925415/7-bMXnyDM.png align="center")

## 3\. Create a New Folder

Once you import the project, create a folder called "PullRequest".

Inside this folder, create a class called `Main`.

![MainClass.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1647615625285/V_0_9KFBR.png align="center")

In this class, create a main method where you're going to print out the following message:

```powershell
Congratulations! You've now learned how to open a pull request.
```

You have successfully created a new branch and are ready to open a pull request.

## 4\. Create a Commit and Push

You should see a tab called "Commit" at the top left. This tab shows all your changes.

Select the files you want to move to the remote repository (in my case, I chose to push all of them).

Then, add a commit message in the text box.

![CommiMessage.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1647688349516/8tEqpEcks.png align="center")

There are two ways to push the changes remotely:

1. By selecting the `Commit and Push` button.
    
2. Entering `Commit` and later `Push` moving your changes remotely.
    

You can decide to do it either way.

I use the `Commit and Push` button most of the time as it's quicker.

## 5\. Create a Pull Request

Now, let's go back to GitHub.

You should see a message like this:

![PR-Github.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1647689705806/pg8NsRs5H.png align="center")

Select the `Compare & pull request` button.

You should see a panel like this:

![OpenPullRequest.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1647689901144/8sHu_zI2o.png align="center")

The branch `First_Branch` will be merged to the `main` branch.

If you've noticed, the "Create pull request" button has an arrow that will present you with the option of creating a draft pull request.

![CreateDraftPullRequest.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1647690228971/WjrFnJzbS.png align="center")

It's ideal to open a draft pull request when your pull request is not ready for review yet.

For now, let's stick with a fully finished pull request.

Go ahead and select the `Create pull request` button.

## 6\. Merge a Pull Request

After you select the button, you should see this on GitHub:

![PROpened.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1647690340130/HI3W4wOoK.png align="center")

In the real world, your pull request will undergo a code review by 1/2 colleagues before you can select the merge button.

In addition, your pull request will go through some checks (for example, code smells, code analysis, etc.) before the "Merge pull request" appears.

Since this is a simple tutorial, you can merge the pull request.

This is what you should see once you merge the pull request.

![merged.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1647690598020/hLlchEO6w.png align="center")

Once you merge a pull request, you cannot go back and change it.

You might be wondering:

### **What if I have to make some further changes?**

You go back to step 1.

### **Why is it important to know what a pull request is?**

A pull request is how you communicate to your teammates that you have changed the codebase and you want those changes to be merged.

As a software engineer, you will open pull requests almost weekly.

I hope you've found this article helpful.

Please let me know your problems while opening a pull request.

Until next time! 🙋🏾‍♀️

**ADDITIONAL RESOURCES**

* [Tech with Maddy - The Traits of a Good Code Review](https://techwithmaddy.com/the-traits-of-a-good-code-review)
    
* [Atlassian - Pull Requests](https://www.atlassian.com/git/tutorials/making-a-pull-request)
    
* [Martin Fowler - Pull Request](https://martinfowler.com/bliki/PullRequest.html)