GitHub Workflow

Overview

Use a hybrid workflow: prefer gh for GitHub-aware tasks, and use git for local history editing, staging, and branch mechanics.

Opinionated defaults:

• inspect repo state before making changes
• keep branches focused and short-lived
• use conventional-commit-style messages when possible
• open PRs with clear titles and summaries
• merge with explicit intent, not guesswork

Quick Start Checks

Run these before branching or opening a PR:

gh auth status
git remote -v
gh repo view --json nameWithOwner,defaultBranchRef

Confirm:

• gh is authenticated
• the repo remote points to the expected GitHub repository
• you know the default branch, usually main or master

If gh repo view fails because the current repo is not connected to GitHub, fall back to plain git and ask before attempting GitHub-specific actions.

Tool Choice Rules

Fallback rule: if gh has a clean command for the task, prefer it. If the task is fundamentally local source control, use git.

Branch Workflow

1. Sync and inspect the default branch.
2. Create a focused branch from the default branch.
3. Keep the branch name descriptive.

Example:

git switch main
git pull --ff-only
git switch -c feat/add-github-workflow-skill

Recommended prefixes:

• feat/
• fix/
• docs/
• chore/
• refactor/
• test/

Avoid vague names like updates, stuff, or misc-fixes.

Commit Workflow

Use git for staging and committing. Keep commits small and readable.

git status
git add <paths>
git commit -m "feat: add github workflow skill"

Prefer conventional-commit-style summaries:

• feat: add github workflow skill
• fix: correct PR base branch detection
• docs: document packaged skills
• chore: clean up release notes

Before pushing, review what changed:

git diff --staged

If a commit needs cleanup, use git commit --amend or interactive rebase deliberately. Do not use gh for local history surgery.

Push and PR Workflow

Push with git, then use gh to work with the PR.

git push -u origin HEAD
gh pr create --fill --base main

Useful gh commands:

gh pr status
gh pr view --web
gh pr checks
gh pr create --fill --base <default-branch>
gh pr checkout <number>

PR hygiene:

• make sure the base branch is correct
• use a title that matches the change
• include a short summary of what changed and any risk areas
• mention tests run when relevant

If --fill produces a weak title/body, replace it instead of accepting low-quality PR text.

Review Workflow

Use gh to inspect and respond to review state.

gh pr view <number>
gh pr diff <number>
gh pr checks <number>
gh pr review <number> --comment -b "Looks good overall; left one suggestion."
gh pr review <number> --approve
gh pr review <number> --request-changes -b "Please address the failing tests and rename the branch."

When reviewing your own work, check:

• PR targets the correct base branch
• branch is up to date enough for the repo's workflow
• checks are green or known failures are explained
• description matches the actual diff

Merge Workflow

Prefer gh pr merge so the merge action is tied to GitHub PR state.

gh pr merge <number> --squash --delete-branch

Common variants:

• --squash for small or iterative branches
• --merge when the repo prefers merge commits
• --rebase when the repo explicitly prefers rebased history

Before merging, confirm:

• approvals or review requirements are satisfied
• required checks passed
• the chosen merge strategy matches repo norms

After merge, sync local state:

git switch main
git pull --ff-only

Common Mistakes

• using gh for tasks that are really local git operations
• forgetting to verify the default branch before creating the PR
• pushing a branch without -u and then losing the upstream link
• opening a PR with an unhelpful auto-filled title/body
• merging without checking CI or review status
• mixing unrelated changes into one branch or one commit

Red Flags

Stop and re-check before acting if you see any of these:

• gh auth status is not healthy
• the remote is not the repo you expected
• you do not know the correct base branch
• the branch name does not describe the change
• the PR title says one thing but the diff shows another
• checks are failing and no reason is documented

When unsure, inspect first, then act.

Source: codersbrew/pi-tools — distributed by TomeVault.