The Age Validator checks the age of a pull request - how much time has passed since it was created or last updated. This helps identify stale PRs that need attention and enforce timely reviews and updates.

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Configuration

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type
string
required

Must be set to "age"

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created
object

Constraints for the time since PR creation

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created.min
number

Minimum age in days since creation

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created.max
number

Maximum age in days since creation

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created.message
string

Custom message for created age constraint failures

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updated
object

Constraints for the time since PR was last updated

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updated.min
number

Minimum age in days since last update

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updated.max
number

Maximum age in days since last update

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updated.message
string

Custom message for updated age constraint failures

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Basic Usage

validate:
  - type: "age"
    updated:
      max: 14
      message: "This PR hasn't been updated in over 2 weeks"

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Examples

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Identify Stale PRs

Detect PRs that haven’t been updated in a while:

validate:
  - type: "age"
    updated:
      max: 14
      message: "This PR hasn't been updated in over 2 weeks"

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Enforce Update Cooldown

Ensure PRs have had time to be reviewed before merging:

validate:
  - type: "age"
    created:
      min: 1
      message: "PRs must be open for at least 24 hours to allow for review"

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Expiry Policy

Implement an expiry policy for old PRs:

validate:
  - type: "age"
    created:
      max: 30
      message: "This PR is over 30 days old and should be closed or updated"

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Combined Age Constraints

Apply multiple age-related constraints:

validate:
  - type: "age"
    created:
      max: 30
      message: "This PR is over 30 days old"
    updated:
      max: 14
      message: "This PR hasn't been updated in over 2 weeks"

​
How It Works

1

Get Timestamps

The validator retrieves the PR’s created and updated timestamps

2

Calculate Ages

It calculates the age in days since creation and last update

3

Check Created Age

If created constraints are specified, it checks if the age since creation is within limits

4

Check Updated Age

If updated constraints are specified, it checks if the age since last update is within limits

5

Return Result

Returns a validation result with status (pass, fail, or error) and a message

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Practical Use Cases

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Stale PR Detection

Automatically label and notify about stale PRs:

ruleset:
  - name: "PR Age Check"
    when:
      - "pull_request.opened"
      - "pull_request.synchronize"
      - "schedule.daily" # This would require additional configuration
    validate:
      - type: "age"
        updated:
          max: 14
          message: "This PR hasn't been updated in over 2 weeks"
    on_failure:
      - label:
          add: ["stale"]
      - comment:
          body: |
            ## Stale Pull Request

            This PR hasn't been updated in over 2 weeks. Please update it or consider closing it.

            If you're still working on this PR, please add a comment or push new changes.

​
PR Lifecycle Management

Implement a complete PR lifecycle management system:

ruleset:
  - name: "Recent PR"
    when:
      - "pull_request.opened"
      - "pull_request.synchronize"
    validate:
      - type: "age"
        updated:
          max: 7
    on_success:
      - label:
          add: ["active"]
          remove: ["stale", "abandoned"]

  - name: "Stale PR"
    when:
      - "pull_request.opened"
      - "pull_request.synchronize"
      - "schedule.daily" # This would require additional configuration
    validate:
      - type: "age"
        updated:
          min: 7
          max: 14
    on_success:
      - label:
          add: ["stale"]
          remove: ["active", "abandoned"]
      - comment:
          body: |
            This PR hasn't been updated in over a week. 
            Are you still working on it or do you need help?

  - name: "Abandoned PR"
    when:
      - "pull_request.opened"
      - "pull_request.synchronize"
      - "schedule.daily" # This would require additional configuration
    validate:
      - type: "age"
        updated:
          min: 30
    on_success:
      - label:
          add: ["abandoned"]
          remove: ["active", "stale"]
      - comment:
          body: |
            This PR has been inactive for 30 days and is now considered abandoned.
            It will be closed in 7 days unless updated.

​
Code Review Aging

Track how long PRs have been waiting for review:

ruleset:
  - name: "Needs Review Reminder"
    when:
      - "pull_request.labeled"
      - "schedule.daily" # This would require additional configuration
    if:
      - type: "label"
        match: "needs-review"
    validate:
      - type: "age"
        updated:
          max: 2
    on_failure:
      - comment:
          body: |
            This PR has been waiting for review for over 2 days.
            @maintainers please review when you have a chance.

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Best Practices

Set reasonable timeframes based on your team’s workflow
Use age validation as part of a comprehensive PR management strategy
Combine with labels to visualize PR status
Provide helpful guidance in comments for stale PRs

Be mindful of vacation periods and other factors that might legitimately delay PR updates

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Benefits of Age Validation

  • Reduced Staleness: Prevents PRs from languishing without attention
  • Faster Cycle Time: Encourages timely reviews and updates
  • Better Communication: Prompts discussions about delayed PRs
  • Cleaner PR Queue: Helps identify PRs that should be closed
  • Workflow Visibility: Makes PR aging explicit and trackable