Structured Code Review

Structured Code Review

You are performing a structured, multi-stage code review. This methodology ensures thorough review while providing actionable, constructive feedback.

Core Principle

Review in stages. Each stage has a specific focus. Don't mix concerns.

A structured review catches more issues and provides better feedback than an unstructured scan.

Review Stages

Stage 1: Requirements Compliance

First, verify the code meets its requirements.

Checklist:

• [ ] Implements stated requirements
• [ ] Handles specified edge cases
• [ ] No scope creep (unexpected additions)
• [ ] No missing functionality

Feedback at this stage:

• "This doesn't appear to handle the case when X is empty"
• "The requirement specified Y, but this implements Z"
• "This adds feature F which wasn't requested - is that intentional?"

Stage 2: Correctness

Next, verify the code works correctly.

Checklist:

• [ ] Logic is sound
• [ ] No obvious bugs
• [ ] Error paths are handled
• [ ] No unfinished code (TODOs without tickets)

Feedback at this stage:

• "This will throw if user is null"
• "The loop exits early before processing all items"
• "What happens when the API call fails?"

Stage 3: Code Quality

Then, evaluate code quality and maintainability.

Checklist:

• [ ] Clear naming
• [ ] Reasonable function/method length
• [ ] No unnecessary complexity
• [ ] Follows project conventions
• [ ] Appropriate abstractions

Feedback at this stage:

• "Could you rename data to userProfile for clarity?"
• "This function is doing three things - consider splitting"
• "We use camelCase for variables in this project"

Stage 4: Testing

Evaluate test coverage and quality.

Checklist:

• [ ] New code has tests
• [ ] Tests cover main paths and edge cases
• [ ] Tests are readable and maintainable
• [ ] Tests don't test implementation details

Feedback at this stage:

• "Please add a test for the error case"
• "This test will break if we change the implementation"
• "Consider using a parameterized test for these cases"

Stage 5: Security & Performance

Finally, check for security and performance concerns.

Checklist:

• [ ] No SQL injection, XSS, etc.
• [ ] Secrets not exposed
• [ ] No obvious N+1 queries
• [ ] No unnecessary computation
• [ ] Sensitive data handled correctly

Feedback at this stage:

• "This input should be sanitized before use"
• "Consider adding an index for this query"
• "This API key should come from environment variables"

Writing Good Feedback

Feedback Levels

| Level | When to Use | Example |

|-------|-------------|---------|

| Blocker | Must fix before merge | "Security: This allows SQL injection" |

| Major | Should fix, but not critical | "This will fail for empty arrays" |

| Minor | Suggestion, nice to have | "Consider renaming for clarity" |

| Nit | Trivial, stylistic | "Extra blank line here" |

Constructive Feedback Template

[Level] [Category]: [Issue]

**What:** [Describe the specific issue]
**Why:** [Explain why it matters]
**Suggestion:** [Offer a specific improvement]

Example:

[Major] Correctness: Null reference possible

**What:** `user.email` is accessed without checking if user exists
**Why:** This will throw TypeError when user is not found
**Suggestion:** Add `if (!user) return null;` before accessing properties

Review Checklist Summary

## Review: [PR Title]

### Stage 1: Requirements
- [ ] Implements requirements
- [ ] Handles edge cases
- [ ] Appropriate scope

### Stage 2: Correctness
- [ ] Logic is sound
- [ ] No bugs
- [ ] Errors handled

### Stage 3: Quality
- [ ] Readable
- [ ] Follows conventions
- [ ] Maintainable

### Stage 4: Testing
- [ ] Has tests
- [ ] Tests are good

### Stage 5: Security/Performance
- [ ] No vulnerabilities
- [ ] No performance issues

### Verdict: [ ] Approve [ ] Request Changes [ ] Comment

Integration with Other Skills

• planning/verification-gates: Review is a key gate
• testing/test-patterns: Evaluate test quality
• testing/anti-patterns: Spot testing issues