| name | github-project |
| description | Use when bootstrapping a repo (apply branch protection before first PR), PRs won't merge or BLOCKED, AI reviewer pushback, auto-merge fails for Dependabot/Renovate, branch protection or rulesets, CI fails, authoring reusable workflows, harden-runner, or CODEOWNERS/PR templates. |
| license | (MIT AND CC-BY-SA-4.0). See LICENSE-MIT and LICENSE-CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
| compatibility | Requires gh CLI, git. |
| metadata | {"author":"Netresearch DTT GmbH","version":"2.15.2","repository":"https://github.com/netresearch/github-project-skill"} |
| allowed-tools | Bash(gh:*) Bash(git:*) Bash(grep:*) Read Write |
GitHub Project Skill
GitHub repository configuration, troubleshooting, and collaboration workflow best practices.
When to Use
- Post
gh repo create + initial push, before first PR — apply branch protection (REQUIRED, see below)
- PR won't merge, BLOCKED, or unresolved threads
- Auto-merge fails for Dependabot/Renovate
- Solo maintainer auto-approve
- Branch protection, rulesets,
enforce_admins
- GHA failures or permission issues
- Signed commit merge (rebase can't auto-sign)
- CodeQL default vs custom workflows
- Scorecard (token perms, pinned deps)
- CODEOWNERS, templates, release labels
- Fork PR merge base
REQUIRED post gh repo create: scripts/init-branch-protection.sh OWNER/REPO — see references/repo-bootstrap.md (closes snipe-it#17 class).
Quick Diagnostics
PR Won't Merge
gh pr view PR --repo OWNER/REPO \
--json mergeStateStatus,reviewDecision,mergeable,reviewThreads
Solo Maintainer: PRs Stuck on REVIEW_REQUIRED
Use assets/pr-quality.yml.template for auto-approve with required_approving_review_count >= 1.
Auto-merge Setup
Requires allow_auto_merge, pull_request_target trigger, user.login bot detection, gh pr merge --auto with dynamic strategy. See references/auto-merge-guide.md.
Auto-merge Not Working
gh pr view PR --repo OWNER/REPO --json autoMergeRequest --jq .autoMergeRequest
gh api repos/OWNER/REPO/branches/main/protection/required_pull_request_reviews \
--jq '.bypass_pull_request_allowances.apps[].slug'
GitHub Actions Failing
gh run list --repo OWNER/REPO --limit 5
gh run view RUN_ID --repo OWNER/REPO --log-failed
gh run rerun RUN_ID --repo OWNER/REPO
Security & Compliance Quick Checks
gh api repos/OWNER/REPO/branches/main/protection \
--jq '{rcr: .required_conversation_resolution.enabled, admins: .enforce_admins.enabled}'
gh api repos/OWNER/REPO/code-scanning/default-setup --jq '.state'
gh pr view PR --repo OWNER/REPO --json reviewThreads --jq '.reviewThreads'
Merge Strategy Issues
See references/auto-merge-guide.md (signed-commit rebase fixes, workflow-file PRs, Copilot auto-approve race).
Running Scripts
scripts/init-branch-protection.sh OWNER/REPO
scripts/init-branch-protection.sh OWNER/REPO --from-current-checks
scripts/verify-github-project.sh /path/to/repository
References
| Topic | Reference |
|---|
Repo bootstrap (post gh repo create) | references/repo-bootstrap.md |
| Repository file layout | references/repository-structure.md |
| Branch migration | references/branch-migration.md |
| Dependabot/Renovate | references/dependency-management.md |
| Auto-approve + auto-merge | references/auto-merge-guide.md |
| Merge strategy (signed commits) | references/merge-strategy.md |
| Sub-issues | references/sub-issues.md |
| Release labeling | references/release-labeling.md |
| gh CLI commands | references/gh-cli-reference.md |
| Polyglot CI checklists | references/repo-setup-guide.md |
| Scorecard, CodeQL, security | references/security-config.md |
| actionlint | references/actionlint-guide.md |
| Workflow bash pitfalls | references/workflow-bash-patterns.md |
| Fork merge base | references/pr-commit-cleanup.md |
| Multi-repo batch ops | references/multi-repo-operations.md |
| Reusable workflow security | references/reusable-workflow-security.md |
| Reusable workflow pitfalls | references/reusable-workflow-pitfalls.md |
| Org security settings | references/org-security-settings.md |
| Tag validation | references/tag-validation.md |
| AI reviewer pushback | references/ai-reviewer-pushback.md |
| Agentic workflows | references/agentic-workflows.md |
Contributing: https://github.com/netresearch/github-project-skill