Say it like this
- Addressed your comments, PTAL.
- @sam PTAL when you get a chance.
- Small fix, PTAL.
Use it at work
Opening a review
- New endpoint for exports, PTAL.
- @sam PTAL, it's a small change.
After fixing comments
- Addressed your comments, PTAL.
- Added the tests you asked for. PTAL again.
Being polite with a busy reviewer
- PTAL when you have a moment, no rush.
- Could you PTAL before Thursday's release?
Don't say this
PTAL already contains "please".
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| PTAL | please review this | PR authors | asking for a review |
| LGTM | looks good, approved | reviewers | approving a change |
| WIP | work in progress, not ready | PR authors | early drafts, no review yet |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. You fixed all the reviewer's comments. What do you write on the PR?
2. Fixed the failing tests. @maria _______ when you have a minute.
3. Which comment uses PTAL correctly?
4. Rewrite as a short PR comment using PTAL: 'Hi, I made the changes you asked for. Could you please review it again?'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"Addressed your comments, PTAL."
We don't save your recording. The word check uses your browser's speech recognition.
More about PTAL
Real examples(3)
- in a pull request
"Updated the error handling as discussed. PTAL."
- in Slack
"@priya PTAL at the design doc before Thursday's review."
- after review comments
"Fixed the naming and added tests. PTAL again."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. Outside engineering teams, people may not know PTAL. Write it out in cross-team or client messages.
- ✕PTAL (to someone senior with no context)✓Hi Ana, could you PTAL at this PR? It changes the retry logic in payments.
Add one line about what the change does, so the reviewer knows why they should look.
- ✕PTAL, LGTM.✓PTAL (from the author) ... LGTM (from the reviewer)
PTAL asks for a review; LGTM approves it. The same person does not usually write both.
Other forms(2)
- please take a look full form
"Please take a look at my PR when you can."
- PTAL at X with a target
"PTAL at the migration script."
Often used with(3)
- PTAL again · asking for a second review after changes
- @name PTAL · tagging a specific reviewer
- PTAL when you have a moment · a softer, polite version
Similar words(3)
- Could you review this? · full sentence, good for new teams
- Ready for review · status message on a PR
- Can I get eyes on this? · informal
Opposites(2)
- LGTM (the approving reply)
- WIP (not ready yet)
Questions(4)
- What is the full form of PTAL?
- PTAL stands for "please take a look".
- What is the difference between PTAL and LGTM?
- PTAL is a request for review, written by the author. LGTM means "looks good to me" and is the reviewer's approval.
- Is PTAL polite?
- Yes, it includes "please". For someone you do not know well, add one line of context or write "Could you take a look?"
- Where is PTAL used?
- Mostly in code reviews, pull requests and Slack threads in engineering teams.
