--- title: "Create a Design Review" slug: "create-design-review" updated: 2026-10-26T13:18:39Z published: 2026-10-26T13:18:39Z canonical: "learn.allspice.io/create-design-review" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://learn.allspice.io/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Create a Design Review This guide explains how to create a repository-backed Design Review in Allspice. If you are setting this up for the first time, start with [Quick Review](/v1/docs/quick-review). Quick Review is the safest way to establish the initial baseline correctly so later reviews show meaningful diffs. ## Before you create the review The first repository-backed Design Review depends on having a clean starting point. The easiest way to get a clean, readable Design Review is to make sure the `repository` has: - a clear "before" state in the `main` branch - a clear "after" state in the `develop` branch - the correct Design Review direction from `develop` to `main` If there is no baseline on `main`, Allspice may interpret the next review as a brand-new design and mark everything as added. ## First-time setup workflow First-time setup is easiest with [Quick Review](/v1/docs/quick-review). Manual setup usually looks like this: 1. Commit or import your starting files as the baseline to the `develop` branch. 2. Create a Design Review from `develop` to `main`. 3. Merge that review so `main` now holds the approved baseline. 4. Add new changes to the `develop` branch. 5. Create the next Design Review from `develop` to `main`. Once that baseline exists, later reviews are much easier to read. ## How to create the next Design Review After the baseline is established, the repeatable workflow is straightforward: 1. Add a new design revision on `develop`. 2. Open a Design Review from `develop` to `main`. 3. Confirm that the diff shows the intended changes. 4. Ask reviewers to inspect the schematic, PCB, and changed files. 5. Merge the review after approval. ## Common first-review mistakes The first manual Design Review can go sideways if the starting history is not clean. Common mistakes include: - making changes directly on `main` and then making different changes on `develop` - two people editing the same file on the same branch - creating multiple `branches` before the first baseline is settled - expecting a `delta` even though there is no earlier committed state merged to `main` to compare against - accidentally setting the Design Review direction backwards ## If the setup is already tangled If your first Design Review setup is already tangled, the fastest path is usually to stop, start over with a new repository, and use [Quick Review](/v1/docs/quick-review) to create a clean first review. If you no longer need the original repository, follow [Delete this repository](https://learn.allspice.io/docs/repository-danger-zone#delete-this-repository). ## What to check before sending reviewers in Before sharing the Design Review, confirm: - `main` contains the approved baseline - `develop` contains the new work to review - the Design Review direction is from `develop` to `main` - the diff shows a focused set of intended changes rather than the whole design as new ## Step-by-step guide to create a new Design Review [Create a new Design Review](https://demo.arcade.software/ndSXaefYKo1uPxXUg9xa?embed&embed_mobile=tab&embed_desktop=inline&show_copy_link=true) [Step-by-step guide to create a new Design Review PDF](https://cdn.document360.io/3d44af5c-3f49-4ca5-b152-10836a885c13/Images/Documentation/Create%20a%20new%20Design%20Review.pdf) 1. Open the Design Reviews tab to manage or start design review activities for your project. ![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/3d44af5c-3f49-4ca5-b152-10836a885c13/Images/Documentation/image(172).png) 2. Click New Design Review to begin a fresh review process. ![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/3d44af5c-3f49-4ca5-b152-10836a885c13/Images/Documentation/image(173).png) 3. Use the branch selector to choose the source branch you want to review or compare. ![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/3d44af5c-3f49-4ca5-b152-10836a885c13/Images/Documentation/image(174).png) 4. Switch to the develop branch to compare changes for your design review. ![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/3d44af5c-3f49-4ca5-b152-10836a885c13/Images/Documentation/image(175).png) 5. (optional) Select a schematic, PCB, or other design file to preview changes. ![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/3d44af5c-3f49-4ca5-b152-10836a885c13/Images/Documentation/image(176).png) 6. Click New Design Review again if you wish to create a review from this preview. ![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/3d44af5c-3f49-4ca5-b152-10836a885c13/Images/Documentation/image(177).png) 7. Edit the title field to clearly name your design review for easy identification. ![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/3d44af5c-3f49-4ca5-b152-10836a885c13/Images/Documentation/image(178).png) 8. Summarize the main changes and provide helpful notes for reviewers in the description area. ![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/3d44af5c-3f49-4ca5-b152-10836a885c13/Images/Documentation/image(179).png) 9. Open the Reviewers section to select team members who should provide feedback. ![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/3d44af5c-3f49-4ca5-b152-10836a885c13/Images/Documentation/image(180).png) 10. Select individuals or entire teams to review the design. ![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/3d44af5c-3f49-4ca5-b152-10836a885c13/Images/Documentation/image(181).png) 11. Select DRCY AI to incorporate automated review insights. - DRCY is not available for Starter plans. Contact [support@Allspice.io](mailto:support@allspice.io) if you'd like to learn more. ![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/3d44af5c-3f49-4ca5-b152-10836a885c13/Images/Documentation/image(182).png) 12. Click Create Design Review to submit your new review and notify the assigned reviewers. ![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/3d44af5c-3f49-4ca5-b152-10836a885c13/Images/Documentation/image(183).png) 13. Congratulations, you've created a Design Review. Now you can view the Conversation, Commits, or Changes tabs. ![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/3d44af5c-3f49-4ca5-b152-10836a885c13/Images/Documentation/image(184).png)