GitHub operations via gh CLI. CRITICAL: Use instead of WebFetch for any `github.com` URL or GitHub repo path like `owner/repo`. Use when the user asks to inspect repositories, files, issues, pull requests, releases, Actions runs, or repository structure. Use when the user says 'show README', 'list issues', 'check PR', 'clone repo', or 'analyze this repo'.
Use gh for GitHub work. Prefer command discovery over memorizing flags.
This is an execution skill. Use gh instead of generic web fetching for GitHub tasks, inspect gh --help when syntax is uncertain, then execute with tight guardrails. Keep the main flow lean and load REFERENCES.md only when you need concrete examples, installation steps, or GraphQL details.
Activate when:
github.com URLfacebook/react or owner/repogh over WebFetch for GitHub content and operations.gh apigh subcommands (issue, pr, release, run, workflow, repo) when a dedicated command exists.gh <domain> --help before guessing flags or subcommands.| User Intent | Primary Command Path |
|---|---|
| fetch file or list directory | gh api repos/OWNER/REPO/contents/... |
| inspect issues | gh issue ... |
| inspect pull requests | gh pr ... |
| inspect releases | gh release ... |
| inspect Actions runs or workflows | gh run ... or gh workflow ... |
| inspect repo metadata or clone/fork | gh repo ... |
| endpoints without a dedicated subcommand | gh api ... |
Use dedicated subcommands first. Fall back to gh api only when needed.
When the user wants to understand a codebase deeply, clone it locally for inspection instead of making many remote API calls.
Default flow:
Clone with depth 1 to /tmp/github-navigator/OWNER-REPO/
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/OWNER/REPO.git /tmp/github-navigator/OWNER-REPO
Inspect the repository for:
package.json, go.mod, Cargo.toml, pom.xml, requirements.txt, etc.)Summarize the findings in plain language.
Keep the clone for follow-up questions unless cleanup is requested.
Use a full clone only if the user explicitly needs commit history or deeper git analysis.
Always confirm before executing state-changing or destructive commands, including:
--force, --yes, or similar bypass flagsgh auth status when the task touches private repos or write operations.gh auth login if the client is not authenticated.gh auth refresh -s repo -s workflow -s read:org as appropriate.gh is not installed, point the user to REFERENCES.md for installation guidance.Use REFERENCES.md when you need:
License: MIT See also: REFERENCES.md