skills.rest
microsoft
microsoftOFFICIAL
Explore all skills by this author →
Website𝕏@OpenAtMicrosoftGitHub

pr-reference

Generate a PR reference XML file with commit history and unified diffs between Git branches.

1.3k|253|Updated Nov 2, 2025
Search Tags:#git#code review#pull request#diff#commit history#xml generation
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/microsoft/hve-core --skill pr-reference-microsoft
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: pr-reference
Source: https://github.com/microsoft/hve-core/tree/main/.github/skills/shared/pr-reference
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/microsoft/hve-core --skill pr-reference-microsoft

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill automates the generation of detailed pull request context, including commit history and unified diffs, streamlining code reviews and PR descriptions.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • PR Description Generation: Creates structured XML containing commit messages and diffs to enrich PR descriptions.
  • Code Review Preparation: Provides a clear, consolidated view of changes between branches for reviewers.
  • Branch Change Analysis: Helps in understanding the evolution of code between different Git branches.
  • Use Case: Before submitting a pull request, use this Skill to generate a comprehensive reference that Copilot can use to draft a detailed and accurate PR description.

Quick Start

Run the bash script to generate a PR reference comparing the current branch against origin/main.

Frequently Asked Questions about pr-reference

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I generate a pull request description from git commit history and diffs?▼

To generate a pull request description from git commit history, this Skill outputs a structured XML file containing commit messages and unified diffs. Copilot can then use this generated XML reference to draft detailed and accurate PR descriptions automatically.

What is the best way to prepare a consolidated view of branch changes for code review?▼

Preparing a consolidated view of branch changes for code review is done by generating a PR reference XML file. This file captures commit history and unified diffs between branches, providing reviewers with a clear summary of code evolution.

How do I extract a unified diff between my current branch and origin/main?▼

To extract a unified diff between your current branch and origin/main, you run the provided bash or PowerShell script. The script compares the branches and generates an XML file containing the exact commit history and code differences.

Do I need Git installed on my system PATH to generate PR context XML files?▼

Yes, you need Git available on your system PATH to generate PR context XML files. The Skill relies on Git commands to retrieve commit history and unified diffs, and it supports both Bash and PowerShell runtimes for execution.

Can I use PowerShell to generate a PR reference XML for branch change analysis?▼

Yes, you can use PowerShell to generate a PR reference XML for branch change analysis. The Skill supports both Bash and PowerShell runtimes, allowing you to execute the script and capture commit history and unified diffs on Windows environments.

Related Skills

Explore More Software Engineering Skills→
mgoodman60mgoodman60

commit

Generate descriptive Git commit messages from repository changes with conventional formatting.

Community
Basic
yamato0811yamato0811

pull-request-creator

Summarize Git branch diffs and draft a pull request targeting develop.

Community
Basic
t-miura-024t-miura-024

mt-check-branch-diff

Identify Git branch differences via merge-base and collect changed files.

Community
Intermediate
kfolkeskfolkes
2

pr-reference

Generate structured XML documents of commit history and diffs between branches.

Community
Intermediate