GitHub previews a pull request page that puts the merge box first

GitHub started rolling out a redesigned pull request overview page on 5 November, in opt-in public preview. The problem it targets is familiar: on a long pull request, checking what’s blocking merge means scrolling past dozens of comments and timeline events to reach the merge box.

The new layout puts a compact readiness summary at the top, showing checks, comments and approvals in less than half the space the old merge box used. Conversations can be filtered to unresolved only or to comments you wrote, and sorted newest to oldest. A summary in the upper right rolls up review comments, review requests and other updates. You opt in with a “Try the Overview page” button in the header, and can switch back to the classic view from the same menu during the preview.

✨ Try the Overview page   → opt in
(same menu)                → back to classic overview

Why it matters: if your team reviews long-running pull requests, this cuts the scroll-to-merge-box problem GitHub has had for years, and it’s safe to try since you can revert per session. GitHub is explicit that this is a starting point, not the finished experience, and is collecting feedback through its community discussions.

The caveat: it’s an early preview with rollout still continuing, so the layout and filters described here may change before general availability.