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Otto connects to GitHub through the Otto GitHub App. Once it’s installed, Otto reviews pull requests in the repositories you grant it.

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Install the GitHub App

1

Start from Otto

In onboarding, or in Settings → Integrations, click Connect GitHub.
2

Choose an account and repositories

Install the app on your GitHub organization and pick the repositories Otto can access:
  • All repositories: Otto can review any current or future repository.
  • Only select repositories: Otto can review only the repositories you list.
Start with one or two repositories, check the reviews look right, then grant more.
3

Return to Otto

GitHub sends you back to Otto, which verifies the installation. Reviews are enabled automatically for the repositories you granted.

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Change which repositories Otto reviews

  • Grant more repositories from the Otto app’s page in your GitHub organization settings (Settings → GitHub Apps → Otto → Configure).
  • Stop reviewing a repository by pruning it in Otto’s Settings → Integrations, or by removing it from the app’s repository access on GitHub.
  • Change how one repository is reviewed with an otto.yml at its root.

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Permissions

The Otto GitHub App requests:

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When Otto reviews a pull request

Otto starts an automatic review when:
  • A pull request is opened, unless it’s a draft. A draft is reviewed when it’s marked ready for review.
  • Someone requests a review from Otto.
  • New commits are pushed to a pull request Otto has already reviewed or commented on. With the Otto Approval check on, Otto reviews every push to an open, non-draft PR.
A comment of /otto review or /otto re-review starts a review even when the repository’s otto.yml turns automatic reviews off or a skip rule matches. See Commands. Otto doesn’t review automatically when:
  • Automatic PR reviews are turned off for the workspace in Settings → Reviews.
  • The repository’s otto.yml turns reviews off or a skip rule matches.
  • The PR changes more than 100 files. Ignored files don’t count toward this limit.
  • A bot pushed the commit (except allowlisted bots such as Dependabot and Renovate).

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Next steps

Require Otto before merging

Add Otto’s checks to branch protection.

Configure the repository

Add an otto.yml for per-path depth and instructions.