github-issues

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Create, update, and manage GitHub issues using MCP tools. Use this skill when users want to create bug reports, feature requests, or task issues, update existing issues, add labels/assignees/milestones, or manage issue workflows. Triggers on requests like "create an issue", "file a bug", "request a feature", "update issue X", or any GitHub issue management task.

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[Developer Tools]

When & Why to Use This Skill

The GitHub Issues skill enables seamless management of GitHub repositories by allowing users to create, update, and track issues directly through natural language. By leveraging MCP tools, it streamlines the software development lifecycle, ensuring that bug reports, feature requests, and tasks are documented with consistent templates and metadata like labels, milestones, and assignees.

Use Cases

  • Automated Bug Reporting: Quickly generate structured bug reports including reproduction steps, expected behavior, and environment details to help engineering teams resolve defects faster.
  • Feature Request Management: Capture and organize new product ideas with clear motivations and acceptance criteria, ensuring they are properly labeled and added to the backlog.
  • Project Workflow Automation: Update issue statuses, assign team members, and manage milestones during daily standups or sprint planning without leaving the chat interface.
  • Issue Search and Retrieval: Efficiently find specific tasks or historical context by searching through repository issues using keywords or specific filters.
  • Collaborative Communication: Add comments and feedback to existing issues to facilitate team discussion and keep project documentation up to date.
namegithub-issues
description'Create, update, and manage GitHub issues using MCP tools. Use this skill when users want to create bug reports, feature requests, or task issues, update existing issues, add labels/assignees/milestones, or manage issue workflows. Triggers on requests like "create an issue", "file a bug", "request a feature", "update issue X", or any GitHub issue management task.'

GitHub Issues

Manage GitHub issues using the @modelcontextprotocol/server-github MCP server.

Available MCP Tools

Tool Purpose
mcp__github__create_issue Create new issues
mcp__github__update_issue Update existing issues
mcp__github__get_issue Fetch issue details
mcp__github__search_issues Search issues
mcp__github__add_issue_comment Add comments
mcp__github__list_issues List repository issues

Workflow

  1. Determine action: Create, update, or query?
  2. Gather context: Get repo info, existing labels, milestones if needed
  3. Structure content: Use appropriate template from references/templates.md
  4. Execute: Call the appropriate MCP tool
  5. Confirm: Report the issue URL to user

Creating Issues

Required Parameters

owner: repository owner (org or user)
repo: repository name  
title: clear, actionable title
body: structured markdown content

Optional Parameters

labels: ["bug", "enhancement", "documentation", ...]
assignees: ["username1", "username2"]
milestone: milestone number (integer)

Title Guidelines

  • Start with type prefix when useful: [Bug], [Feature], [Docs]
  • Be specific and actionable
  • Keep under 72 characters
  • Examples:
    • [Bug] Login fails with SSO enabled
    • [Feature] Add dark mode support
    • Add unit tests for auth module

Body Structure

Always use the templates in references/templates.md. Choose based on issue type:

User Request Template
Bug, error, broken, not working Bug Report
Feature, enhancement, add, new Feature Request
Task, chore, refactor, update Task

Updating Issues

Use mcp__github__update_issue with:

owner, repo, issue_number (required)
title, body, state, labels, assignees, milestone (optional - only changed fields)

State values: open, closed

Examples

Example 1: Bug Report

User: "Create a bug issue - the login page crashes when using SSO"

Action: Call mcp__github__create_issue with:

{
  "owner": "github",
  "repo": "awesome-copilot",
  "title": "[Bug] Login page crashes when using SSO",
  "body": "## Description\nThe login page crashes when users attempt to authenticate using SSO.\n\n## Steps to Reproduce\n1. Navigate to login page\n2. Click 'Sign in with SSO'\n3. Page crashes\n\n## Expected Behavior\nSSO authentication should complete and redirect to dashboard.\n\n## Actual Behavior\nPage becomes unresponsive and displays error.\n\n## Environment\n- Browser: [To be filled]\n- OS: [To be filled]\n\n## Additional Context\nReported by user.",
  "labels": ["bug"]
}

Example 2: Feature Request

User: "Create a feature request for dark mode with high priority"

Action: Call mcp__github__create_issue with:

{
  "owner": "github",
  "repo": "awesome-copilot",
  "title": "[Feature] Add dark mode support",
  "body": "## Summary\nAdd dark mode theme option for improved user experience and accessibility.\n\n## Motivation\n- Reduces eye strain in low-light environments\n- Increasingly expected by users\n- Improves accessibility\n\n## Proposed Solution\nImplement theme toggle with system preference detection.\n\n## Acceptance Criteria\n- [ ] Toggle switch in settings\n- [ ] Persists user preference\n- [ ] Respects system preference by default\n- [ ] All UI components support both themes\n\n## Alternatives Considered\nNone specified.\n\n## Additional Context\nHigh priority request.",
  "labels": ["enhancement", "high-priority"]
}

Common Labels

Use these standard labels when applicable:

Label Use For
bug Something isn't working
enhancement New feature or improvement
documentation Documentation updates
good first issue Good for newcomers
help wanted Extra attention needed
question Further information requested
wontfix Will not be addressed
duplicate Already exists
high-priority Urgent issues

Tips

  • Always confirm the repository context before creating issues
  • Ask for missing critical information rather than guessing
  • Link related issues when known: Related to #123
  • For updates, fetch current issue first to preserve unchanged fields