Context Matters

In this video, we focus on the critical importance of providing context when submitting code for review. As codebases grow in size and complexity, understanding the "why" behind a change becomes just as important as the code itself. Without clear context, reviewers are left in the dark—and teams lose valuable time and trust.

Key Takeaways:

• We explain the “why” behind every diff: When submitting code, we clarify why the change exists, why we chose this approach, and why alternatives were rejected. This empowers reviewers to assess our choices without second-guessing or chasing us for clarification.
• We include business, technical, and historical context: Good diffs often explain the strategic purpose, relevant architecture, past experiments, and legacy code decisions—all of which help reviewers understand how our change fits into the larger system.
• We reduce friction with thoughtful summaries: A well-written diff summary is low-effort but high-impact. Taking 5–10 minutes to write it may feel like a tax, but it dramatically speeds up reviews and earns the gratitude of teammates.
• We acknowledge that no one sees the whole system: Using the “elephant” metaphor, we recognize that everyone sees only part of the codebase. Providing our view helps others see how our changes fit into the broader system, making collaboration more effective.
• We write for humans, not just machines: Code may be infinitely flexible, but humans need context to interpret it. By empathizing with reviewers and anticipating their questions, we make code review a faster, smoother, and more collaborative process.