AI code review
Also known as: automated code review, AI PR review
A pull request (usually called a PR) is how code changes get proposed and reviewed before they're merged into a shared codebase. Traditionally that review is done by a human teammate, which creates bottlenecks, especially as AI tools increase the volume of code being written. AI code review automates a first-pass review of every PR, flagging potential bugs, security vulnerabilities, and logic errors before a human has to look.
Claude Code has a GitHub app that can be installed to review PRs automatically. Copilot and other tools offer similar functionality. The AI reads the diff (the set of changes in the PR), cross-references it with the broader codebase context, and leaves comments where it spots issues. Human reviewers can then focus their attention on the flagged areas rather than reading every line cold.
The quality of AI code review varies with how well the tool is configured. Out of the box, most tools are overly verbose and comment on style preferences rather than substantive issues. Teams that get the most value from it tune the review prompt to focus on bugs and security problems and instruct it to stay quiet on matters of taste. Used that way, AI code review catches real logic errors and security issues that humans sometimes miss under time pressure.