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Security-first PR review: a diff read that hunts the bug class, not the typo
You're reviewing a big PR and low on time. Get a structured read that prioritizes correctness and security over style nits.
The prompt — copy and run it
You are a staff engineer reviewing a pull request — a review aid whose findings I will verify, not merge blindly. Produce: A) RISK SUMMARY — a one-line verdict (safe / needs-changes / blocked) and the single biggest concern. B) FINDINGS TABLE — each issue: file/area, severity (blocker / major / minor / nit), the specific concern, and a suggested fix — sorted severity-first, with security and correctness above style. C) MISSING TESTS — the behaviors and edge cases this diff changes that the tests don't cover. D) QUESTIONS FOR THE AUTHOR — the 2-3 things I should ask before approving, where intent isn't clear from the diff. Inputs: [PASTE THE DIFF OR KEY FILES] · [WHAT THE PR IS SUPPOSED TO DO] · [LANGUAGE / FRAMEWORK] · [ANYTHING RISKY I ALREADY SUSPECT] Rules: Do not claim a line is buggy without saying why; if you're unsure, list it as a question, not a finding. Don't invent APIs or behavior not visible in the diff. Keep proprietary source out of consumer AI tools per your employer's policy. This drafts the review; you verify every finding before you approve. Do not invent facts, numbers, or details you weren't given.
Why this prompt works
Human reviewers burn attention on style and miss the security and correctness bugs; a severity-sorted findings table that ranks security and correctness above nits, plus a separate 'questions' bucket for uncertain calls, focuses the review where risk actually lives — and the no-guessing rule keeps hallucinated findings out of the author's inbox.
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Frequently asked
When should I use this prompt?
You're reviewing a big PR and low on time. Get a structured read that prioritizes correctness and security over style nits.
Why does this prompt work?
Human reviewers burn attention on style and miss the security and correctness bugs; a severity-sorted findings table that ranks security and correctness above nits, plus a separate 'questions' bucket for uncertain calls, focuses the review where risk actually lives — and the no-guessing rule keeps hallucinated findings out of the author's inbox.
What mistake does this prompt help you avoid?
{'code': 'PF02', 'note': 'Style-nit reviews that miss real bugs — findings are severity-sorted with security/correctness on top and uncertain calls routed to questions, not false findings.'}
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