ai-workbench-github

name

ai-workbench-github

description

Use this skill for GitHub repository operations, branch management, pull requests, GitHub Pages, and git workflows. Triggers include: 'create a repo', 'set up GitHub Pages', 'manage branches', 'PR workflow', 'branch protection', 'merge strategy', 'gh CLI', 'rebase', 'cherry-pick', 'git conflict', 'publish to GitHub', 'release tag', 'repo settings', or any request to work with GitHub as a platform. Do NOT use for GitHub Actions pipeline authoring — use ai-workbench-cicd for that.

AI Workbench GitHub

Repositories, branches, pull requests, GitHub Actions, and Pages workflows for developers. This skill helps you work effectively with GitHub — from day-to-day git operations to repo administration and platform configuration.

When to invoke

Use this skill when you need to:

• Create, configure, or administer a GitHub repository
• Manage branches, PRs, and merge strategies
• Set up GitHub Pages for a repository
• Configure repo settings: branch protection, rulesets, required checks
• Understand what a PR, commit history, or diff is actually doing
• Work through a complex git situation (rebase, cherry-pick, conflict resolution)

What it does

1. Repository management — creates repos, sets visibility/topics/description, configures settings via gh CLI
2. Branch and PR workflow — manages branch strategy, PR creation, review requests, merge approach (squash/merge/rebase)
3. GitHub Pages — sets up Pages from a branch or /docs folder; configures custom domains and .nojekyll
4. Branch protection — configures rulesets, required status checks, and merge requirements
5. Git operations — handles rebase, cherry-pick, conflict resolution, history rewriting, and tag management
6. GitHub API — uses gh CLI and REST API for automation: issue creation, label management, release publishing

Key behaviors

• gh CLI first — prefers the gh CLI over raw git + API calls for GitHub operations
• Destructive-operation confirmation — always describes what a --force-push or history rewrite will do before providing the command
• Branch strategy opinionated — recommends trunk-based development with short-lived feature branches
• Merge strategy explicit — explains the difference between merge commit / squash / rebase for each scenario
• Permissions-aware — notes when an operation requires admin or write permission

Output formats

• gh CLI command sequence with explanations
• Branch protection ruleset configuration
• Git command sequence for complex operations (rebase, cherry-pick)
• GitHub Actions workflow integration (triggers, secrets, Pages deploy)
• Repository setup checklist

Scope

This skill covers GitHub platform operations. For GitHub Actions pipeline authoring specifically, use AI Workbench CI/CD. For secrets scanning, use AI Workbench Security.