# Aiq Prepare Pr

> Use when preparing, opening, or updating an AI-Q pull request — scoping the branch, signing commits with DCO, filling the PR template with real validation evidence, and following the copy-pr-bot CI and merge flow.

- Skill: `nvidia-ai-blueprints-aiq/aiq-prepare-pr` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add nvidia-ai-blueprints-aiq/aiq-prepare-pr`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/nvidia-ai-blueprints-aiq/aiq-prepare-pr/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- License: Apache-2.0
- Author: NVIDIA-AI-Blueprints (https://skillmd.com/u/nvidia-ai-blueprints-aiq)
- Updated: 2026-09-10
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/nvidia-ai-blueprints-aiq/aiq-prepare-pr

---


# Prepare an AI-Q Pull Request

Use this skill to take a finished AI-Q change from a working branch to a
review-ready pull request: a focused branch off `develop`, DCO-signed commits,
the PR template filled with real validation evidence, and the copy-pr-bot CI
flow followed correctly.

## Start Here

- Confirm the change is scoped: no unrelated files, no generated artifacts, no
  secrets, no environment-specific hostnames.
- Confirm validation already ran. This skill does not invent test commands —
  run `aiq-release-qa` first and reuse its exact output as evidence.
- Confirm every commit is signed off (DCO). Commits without a `Signed-off-by`
  trailer may be rejected.
- Target the `develop` branch unless a maintainer asked for a release branch.

## Authoritative References

- [CONTRIBUTING.md](../../../CONTRIBUTING.md): the canonical PR workflow, Local
  Validation, DCO text, and the copy-pr-bot / `/ok to test` / `/merge` flow.
- [.github/pull_request_template.md](../../../.github/pull_request_template.md):
  the exact sections and checklist your PR description must fill.
- [AGENTS.md](../../../AGENTS.md): "Git and PR hygiene" and the validation
  commands `aiq-release-qa` runs.

For the step-by-step checklist and the bot command reference:

- [references/pr-checklist.md](references/pr-checklist.md)

## Workflow

1. Verify the branch is focused and based on `develop`; rebase or reset scope if
   unrelated files crept in.
2. Ensure every commit is signed: `git commit -s` (and `git commit --amend -s`
   or `git rebase --signoff` to fix unsigned commits already made).
3. Run the relevant checks via `aiq-release-qa` and keep the exact output.
4. Push the branch and open the PR into `develop`.
5. Fill the PR template: Overview, Validation (paste the commands and output),
   reviewer starting point, related issues, and tick every checklist box you
   can honestly tick.
6. Drive CI: a maintainer or vetter comments `/ok to test`, copy-pr-bot mirrors
   the PR to `pull-request/<number>`, and CI runs there.
7. Address review feedback until required checks and code-owner review pass.

## Validation

This skill is about PR hygiene, not code execution; verify the contributor
mechanics:

```bash
git log --pretty=full origin/develop..HEAD | grep -c "Signed-off-by:"  # every commit signed
git diff --name-only origin/develop..HEAD                              # only intended files
git status --porcelain                                                 # no stray artifacts
```

Expected: the sign-off count equals your commit count, the changed-file list
contains only files relevant to this change, and the working tree is clean.

## Common Mistakes

- Unsigned commits. Use `git commit -s`; fix existing ones with
  `git rebase --signoff origin/develop` before pushing.
- A vague Validation section. Paste the real commands and their output from
  `aiq-release-qa`; "ran tests" is not evidence.
- Scope creep: unrelated refactors, formatting churn on untouched files, or
  committed generated artifacts.
- Committing secrets or `deploy/.env` values. Resolve secrets at runtime; never
  paste them into the PR.
- Expecting CI to run on push alone — it runs on the copy-pr-bot mirror after
  `/ok to test`.
- Skipping the docs update for user-facing or contributor-facing changes.

## Related Skills

- `aiq-release-qa`
- `aiq-add-tool`
- `aiq-add-data-source`