Code Review

Guide proper code review practices emphasizing technical rigor, evidence-based claims, and verification over performative responses.

Overview

Code review requires three distinct practices:

1. Receiving feedback - Technical evaluation over performative agreement
2. Requesting reviews - Systematic review via code-reviewer subagent
3. Verification gates - Evidence before any completion claims

Each practice has specific triggers and protocols detailed in reference files.

Core Principle

Always honoring YAGNI, KISS, and DRY principles. Be honest, be brutal, straight to the point, and be concise.

Technical correctness over social comfort. Verify before implementing. Ask before assuming. Evidence before claims.

When to Use This Skill

Receiving Feedback

Trigger when:

• Receiving code review comments from any source
• Feedback seems unclear or technically questionable
• Multiple review items need prioritization
• External reviewer lacks full context
• Suggestion conflicts with existing decisions

Reference: references/code-review-reception.md

Requesting Review

Trigger when:

• Completing tasks in subagent-driven development (after EACH task)
• Finishing major features or refactors
• Before merging to main branch
• Stuck and need fresh perspective
• After fixing complex bugs

Reference: references/requesting-code-review.md

Verification Gates

Trigger when:

• About to claim tests pass, build succeeds, or work is complete
• Before committing, pushing, or creating PRs
• Moving to next task
• Any statement suggesting success/completion
• Expressing satisfaction with work

Reference: references/verification-before-completion.md

Quick Decision Tree

SITUATION?
│
├─ Received feedback
│  ├─ Unclear items? → STOP, ask for clarification first
│  ├─ From human partner? → Understand, then implement
│  └─ From external reviewer? → Verify technically before implementing
│
├─ Completed work...