| name | github-repo-management |
| description | Create, clone, fork, archive, and manage GitHub repositories using gh CLI and git |
| category | developer |
| version | 1.0.0 |
| origin | aiden |
| license | Apache-2.0 |
| tags | github, repository, repo, clone, fork, branch, gh-cli, git, remote, management |
GitHub Repository Management
Create, clone, fork, configure, and manage GitHub repositories using the gh CLI and git. Covers repo creation, branch management, secrets, and repo settings.
When to Use
- User wants to create a new GitHub repository
- User wants to clone or fork an existing repository
- User wants to list repositories in an organization or for a user
- User wants to manage branches (list, create, protect, delete)
- User wants to add or list GitHub Actions secrets
How to Use
1. Create a new repository
# Create public repo and clone locally
gh repo create my-new-project --public --clone
# Create private repo with description
gh repo create my-new-project --private --description "Internal API service"
# Create repo from local directory
cd "C:\Users\<you>\Projects\myapp"
gh repo create my-new-project --source=. --private --push
2. Clone a repository
# Clone via gh (handles auth automatically)
gh repo clone owner/repo-name
# Clone to specific directory
gh repo clone owner/repo-name ./local-folder
# Clone with SSH explicitly
git clone git@github.com:owner/repo-name.git
3. Fork a repository
# Fork to your account and clone locally
gh repo fork owner/repo-name --clone
# Fork to an organization
gh repo fork owner/repo-name --org my-org
4. List repositories
# Your repos
gh repo list --limit 30
# Organization repos
gh repo list my-org --limit 50
# Filter by language
gh repo list --language python --limit 20
5. Manage branches
# List remote branches
git branch -r
# Create and push a new branch
git checkout -b feature/my-feature
git push -u origin feature/my-feature
# Delete a remote branch
git push origin --delete feature/old-branch
# List branches via gh
gh api repos/owner/repo/branches | python -m json.tool
6. View and update repo settings
# View repo details
gh repo view owner/repo-name
# View in browser
gh repo view owner/repo-name --web
# Edit repo description and topics
gh repo edit owner/repo-name --description "Updated description" --add-topic "api,python"
7. Manage GitHub Actions secrets
# List secrets
gh secret list
# Set a secret
gh secret set DATABASE_URL --body "postgresql://user:pass@host/db"
# Set from a file
gh secret set PRIVATE_KEY < private_key.pem
# Delete a secret
gh secret delete OLD_SECRET
8. Archive or delete a repository
# Archive (read-only, not deleted)
gh repo archive owner/repo-name
# Delete — IRREVERSIBLE — direct user to do this manually
# gh repo delete owner/repo-name --yes ← do not run this for the user
Examples
"Create a new private GitHub repo for my Python scripts"
→ Use step 1: gh repo create my-python-scripts --private --clone.
"Fork the fastapi repository so I can contribute"
→ Use step 3: gh repo fork tiangolo/fastapi --clone.
"Add my API key as a GitHub Actions secret"
→ Use step 7: gh secret set API_KEY --body "...".
Cautions
- Repository deletion is IRREVERSIBLE — never run
gh repo delete for the user; direct them to do it in the GitHub web UI
- Archiving a repo makes it read-only but does not delete it — safe to run
- Secrets set with
gh secret set are write-only in the GitHub UI — they cannot be read back after creation
- Forking a private repo copies it to your account — ensure the original owner's license permits this
