Overview

GitHub has rolled out docked panels for the pull request "Files changed" page, allowing developers to review code alongside critical pull request context without switching tabs or losing their place in the diff.

Available Panels

The feature includes four complementary panels that can be toggled from the Files changed toolbar:

• Comments Panel: View and add review comments and high-level conversations without navigating away from the code diff
• Overview Panel: Reference the pull request description, goals, implementation notes, and testing instructions while reviewing changes
• Merge Status Panel: Check merge readiness, approvals, blockers, and check statuses from the pull request header
• Alerts Panel: Review code scanning alerts and security findings directly alongside the diff they relate to

Getting Started

Users on the classic Files changed page experience can opt into the new experience to access these docked panels. Simply click the corresponding button in the Files changed toolbar to open any panel. The feature is now rolling out for general availability.

Impact

This update addresses a common pain point in code review workflows by consolidating contextual information into accessible panels, reducing friction and improving reviewer productivity. GitHub notes that this is part of a broader series of improvements to the pull request review experience, with related features like merge status quick access also rolling out recently.