Views
Unified vs side-by-side diff: when each one wins
Use Side by Side for review sessions
Side by Side keeps both versions visible, which makes it easier to compare paragraphs, clauses, and blocks of code with neighboring context. If the reviewer is making a judgment rather than just spotting changed lines, this view usually feels safer and calmer.
Use Unified for concise summaries
Unified collects edits into one reading stream. It is ideal when you want to scan the change list quickly, paste results into an issue, or share a compact patch summary. Engineers often prefer this view for fast review loops.
Switch views when the task changes
A good workflow often uses both. Start with Unified to understand the size and location of the change. Switch to Side by Side when you need confidence about wording, formatting, or nearby context. The best comparison tools make that switch frictionless.