Your local repository
- Stage and commit changes
- Create and switch branches
- Push, pull and fetch
- Resolve merge conflicts
- Open a pull request, then review it on github.com
Two apps, two jobs
They don't overlap much. GitHub Desktop works on the code on your disk. PullYard works on the pull request once that code is on GitHub.
Your pull requests
- Review requests and your own PRs in one list
- Read big diffs in a native, fast viewer
- Comment, approve, request changes and merge
- See stacked pull requests as a tree
- Send review feedback to Claude Code with Fix with agent
Side by side
What each app does today.
| Feature | GitHub Desktop | PullYard |
|---|---|---|
| Stage, commit and push | Yes | No |
| Branches and merge conflicts | Yes | No |
| Review a pull request diff | In the browser | Yes, native |
| Comment, approve, request changes | In the browser | Yes |
| Merge a pull request | In the browser | Yes |
| Stacked pull requests | No | Yes, with a stack graph |
| Notifications, issues, Projects boards | No | Yes |
| GitLab and Bitbucket | No | Yes, full review |
| Gitea and Forgejo | No | Lists your pull requests |
| AI agent next to the PR | No | Claude Code workspace |
| macOS and Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | No official build | Yes |
| Price and license | Free, open source (MIT) | Free, open source (MIT) |
Using them together
A typical day with both apps open.
- GitHub Desktop: commit your work on a branch and push it.
- GitHub Desktop: open the pull request.
- PullYard: the new PR shows up in your list. Reviewers comment and approve from their own PullYard or from the browser.
- PullYard: read the feedback next to the diff, or hand it to Claude Code with Fix with agent.
- PullYard: re-request review after you push, then merge when it's green.
Questions
Is PullYard a GitHub Desktop alternative?
For pull requests, yes. GitHub Desktop is built for local git work: committing, branching, pushing and resolving conflicts, and it sends you to github.com to review. PullYard is built for review: reading diffs, commenting, approving, requesting changes and merging, inside a native app. Most people use both.
Can PullYard commit and push like GitHub Desktop?
No. PullYard does not stage, commit or push local changes. Keep GitHub Desktop, another git client or the command line for that, and use PullYard for the pull request that follows.
Does PullYard run on Linux?
Yes. PullYard has native builds for macOS, Windows and Linux. GitHub Desktop has official builds for macOS and Windows only.
Is PullYard free?
Yes. PullYard is free and open source under the MIT license, with no paid tier. GitHub Desktop is also free and open source.
Keep GitHub Desktop. Add PullYard for review.
Free and open source, for macOS, Windows and Linux. On macOS: brew install --cask pullyard/tap/pullyard