using-github

name	using-github
description	Use when working with GitHub in this repository — creating or editing issues, starting an issue branch, preparing a pull request, or rendering a milestone changelog. Triggers include "file an issue", "create issue", "edit issue

Using GitHub

Use this skill as the single entry point for GitHub work. It owns issue creation, issue editing, issue branch creation, milestone changelog rendering, and pull request preparation.

First Checks

• Read root repository guidance such as AGENTS.md.
• Read docs/issue-filing-style.md when filing or editing issues — it is the single source of truth for issue-filing conventions in this repo.
• Read local docs that govern the files or GitHub surface being changed.
• Use repository templates for issues and pull requests.
• Use canonical labels from the remote label inventory.
• Do not manually apply or remove reserved release automation labels.
• Keep public-repo output free of private repository URLs, private paths, and private content.
• Stay in the current working directory's default gh repository unless the repository guidance explicitly allows cross-repo work.

Required Procedures

Follow the matching procedure before taking GitHub actions. These files are supporting workflow contracts for this skill, not separate installable skills.

• New issue: follow workflows/new-issue.md.
• Existing issue edit: follow workflows/edit-issue.md.
• Start issue work: follow workflows/new-branch.md.
• Milestone changelog: follow workflows/write-changelog.md.
• Pull request: follow workflows/pull-request.md.

Shared GitHub Rules

• Branches for issue work use <issue-number>-<kebab-title> from the default branch.
• Commits and squash PR titles use type: #123 short description with no scope, unless the change is breaking. Breaking changes use type!: #123 short description.
• GitHub issue titles are plain-language summaries, not conventional commits.
• Relationships are same-repo #N references unless repository guidance says otherwise.
• Public issue, PR, and changelog text must pass the public-repo leak guard.
• Duplicate checks happen before filing new issues.
• Label choices come from gh label list; do not invent labels.
• Pull request bodies use the repository template headings in order.
• Long issue, PR, and discussion descriptions keep top-level sections at ## so GitHub's auto-TOC sidebar surfaces them — see docs/issue-filing-style.md section "Heading levels for navigability".

Public-Repo Leak Guard

Before creating or updating public issues, PRs, changelog text, or rendered release notes:

1. Resolve the target repository and visibility with gh repo view.
2. If the target is public, scan the draft for private GitHub URLs and private path-shaped content.
3. Refuse confirmed leaks.
4. Surface ambiguous content for explicit review instead of silently rewriting.

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Fix
Looking for a separate sub-skill per workflow	None exist — this skill and its workflows/ files are the entry point.
Inventing labels or templates	Read the repository label inventory and templates.
Treating PR creation as just a gh pr create command	Satisfy the repository PR template, title format, and acceptance-criteria rules first.
Including private repository context in public text	Rewrite as a public-safe summary or file in a private repository first.