How settings work
Set review rules once as workspace defaults, and customize only the repositories that need something different. This page also maps every setting to the page that explains it.
Workspace defaults and repository settings
Set defaults in Workspace settings → Review rules and select Save workspace review rules. Every repository follows them until you customize a setting for it.
| Label | What it means |
|---|---|
| Following workspace defaults | The repository uses the workspace default, including future changes. |
| Customized | The repository keeps its own value, even when the workspace default changes. The workspace default is shown underneath. |
Customize a repository
- Open Repositories and select the repository.
- On its Review rules tab, change the settings it needs. Each one you change is marked Customized.
- Select Save repository review rules.
To reset one setting, select Follow workspace defaults next to it. To reset them all, use the button of the same name at the bottom of the tab. Select Customized at the top of the tab to see only changed settings.
Each review uses the settings saved when HeyDeer queues it. Reviews already queued or in progress keep the settings they started with.
Settings map
Review rules has four sections. Each setting below links to the page that explains it; Settings reference lists their defaults.
| Section | Settings |
|---|---|
| When to review | Review schedule, Maximum automatic reviews per PR, Stop automatic reviews when a PR closes, Automatic review filters |
| How to review | Default review depth, Review only new changes, Feedback scope, Review language, Read related issues and PRs |
| Publish results | Automatic approval, Publish GitHub check, Fail the check when issues are found, Post review comments on the pull request, Resolve addressed HeyDeer conversations |
| Manual review access | Who can request reviews |
Where configuration lives
Review rules, review instructions and connectors are saved in HeyDeer. AGENTS.md, repository checks and skills live in your repository, so a pull request can change them for its own review. Settings reference lists where each lives, who can change it and which version a review uses.
Owners of the GitHub organization are always workspace admins, and admins can change a repository’s settings only if they can access it on GitHub. See Workspace members.
Not sure where guidance should go? See Where each kind of guidance belongs.