How to Get Your Pull Request Reviewed for the Awesome List: A Step-by-Step Guide

To get your pull request reviewed for the Awesome List, fork the repository, edit the readme.md following the formatting rules, submit a PR using the provided template, and iteratively address maintainer feedback until merged.

The sindresorhus/awesome repository maintains strict quality standards for its curated lists of resources across various technologies. Understanding the exact workflow documented in the source files ensures your contribution moves through the review pipeline efficiently rather than stalling in the backlog.

Understanding the Review Workflow

The Awesome List uses a structured review process defined in contributing.md. This file specifies that contributions must follow a specific editing and submission pattern to be considered for review. The maintainers require all PRs to use the pull_request_template.md, which automatically populates when you open a new pull request. Following these documented steps signals to reviewers that you have read and understood the project requirements.

Step-by-Step Process to Submit a Reviewable PR

Fork and Clone the Repository

Begin by creating a personal fork of the sindresorhus/awesome repository and cloning it locally. This follows standard GitHub workflow conventions and creates an isolated environment for your changes.

Edit the Readme Following Formatting Rules

Navigate to the readme.md file in your fork. According to the contribution guidelines at lines 19-23 in contributing.md, you should:

1. Click on the readme.md file
2. Click the edit button (pencil icon)
3. Add your entry following the existing bullet list format with a description and link

The source code explicitly states: "Click on the readme.md file" and "Edit the file" to make your changes. Ensure your entry matches the established markdown structure—typically a bullet point with a link followed by a brief description.

Use the Pull Request Template

When you commit your changes and open a PR, the repository automatically loads the pull_request_template.md. This template requires you to fill out specific sections explaining what your PR adds and why the change is needed. A complete template includes:

<!-- Pull Request Template (excerpt) -->

### What does this PR add?

- A new entry to the **[Category]** list
- Brief description of why this entry is awesome

### Why is this change needed?

- Explain the relevance, popularity, or uniqueness of the resource.

### Checklist

- [ ] I followed the [awesome list guidelines](https://github.com/sindresorhus/awesome/blob/main/pull_request_template.md)
- [ ] The entry follows the formatting rules (bullet list, description, link)

Filling out all sections completely reduces back-and-forth and accelerates the review process.

Submit the PR and Respond to Feedback

After editing, click Propose file change, then Create pull request (as documented at lines 23-25 in contributing.md). Once submitted, maintainers will review your changes against the list criteria.

According to lines 26-30 in contributing.md: "Sometimes a maintainer… will ask you to edit your Pull Request." This is a normal part of the workflow. When you receive feedback:

• Push new commits to the same branch
• The PR updates automatically
• Reply to review comments to confirm changes made

Handling Amendments and Commit History

If you need to fix commit messages or squash commits after submission, the contribution guide at lines 30-31 references the amending guide at https://github.com/RichardLitt/knowledge/blob/master/github/amending-a-commit-guide.md. Use these commands to clean your history:

# Amend the most recent commit

git commit --amend

# Interactive rebase to squash multiple commits

git rebase -i HEAD~3

Force push to your branch only if specifically requested by maintainers to clean up the commit history before merging.

Key Files That Govern the Review Process

Three primary files define how PRs are evaluated in the Awesome List:

• contributing.md – Contains the full workflow including editing instructions and submission steps (lines 19-31)
• pull_request_template.md – The mandatory template that appears when opening PRs, ensuring consistent metadata
• code_of_conduct.md – Behavioral standards all contributors must follow during the review process

Summary

• Follow the template: Complete all sections in pull_request_template.md when opening your PR
• Edit correctly: Modify readme.md directly using the GitHub interface or local editor, following the bullet list format specified in contributing.md
• Expect iteration: Maintain active communication and push updates to the same branch when maintainers request changes
• Clean history: Reference the RichardLitt amending guide if you need to rewrite commits before final approval

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a PR reviewed for the Awesome List?

Review times vary based on maintainer availability and the complexity of your submission. The repository receives high volume, so following the pull_request_template.md exactly and ensuring your entry matches existing formatting helps expedite the process. Incomplete submissions take longer as they require multiple review cycles.

What happens if my PR doesn't follow the template?

Maintainers will likely ask you to edit your submission to comply with the requirements outlined in contributing.md. As stated in the source documentation, maintainers routinely request edits to ensure consistency with the list's quality standards. Failure to respond to these requests may result in the PR being closed.

Can I submit multiple unrelated entries in a single PR?

The Awesome List prefers focused contributions. While the documentation doesn't explicitly forbid multiple entries, separating unrelated resources into distinct PRs makes review easier and reduces the chance of rejection affecting multiple submissions. Check the specific category guidelines in readme.md before bundling entries.

How do I fix a typo after I've already submitted my PR?

Push additional commits to the same branch on your fork; the PR will update automatically. If you need to amend the commit history itself, use git commit --amend or interactive rebase as referenced in the contribution guide's link to the RichardLitt knowledge repository. Always communicate with maintainers before force-pushing to avoid disrupting the review thread.

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