---
title: "Small PRs"
url: https://perrotta.dev/2026/05/small-prs/
last_updated: 2026-05-18
---


From the [Google Engineering Practices](https://google.github.io/eng-practices/)
handbook:

> Why Write Small CLs?
>
> - Reviewed more quickly
> - Reviewed more thoroughly
> - Less likely to introduce bugs
> - Less wasted work if they are rejected
> - Easier to merge
> - Easier to design well
> - Less blocking on reviews
> - Simpler to roll back

CLs = ChangeLists = PRs = Pull Requests

[Full
documentation](https://google.github.io/eng-practices/review/developer/small-cls.html).

My additions:

- Easier to test
- Easier to explain to a teammate
- Easier for LLMs to ingest