---

name: github-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, set issue fields (dates, priority, custom fields), set issue types, or manage issue workflows. Triggers on requests like "create an issue", "file a bug", "request a feature", "update issue X", "set the priority", "set the start date", 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
mcp__github__list_issue_types	List available issue types for an organization
mcp__github__issue_read	Read issue details, sub-issues, comments, labels
mcp__github__projects_list	List projects, project fields, project items, status updates
mcp__github__projects_get	Get details of a project, field, item, or status update
mcp__github__projects_write	Add/update/delete project items, create status updates

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)
type: issue type name (e.g., "Bug", "Feature", "Task", "Epic")

Issue types are organization-level metadata. Before using type, call mcp__github__list_issue_types with the org name to discover available types. If the org has no issue types configured, omit the parameter.

Prefer issue types over labels for categorization. When issue types are available (e.g., Bug, Feature, Task), use the type parameter instead of applying equivalent labels like bug or enhancement. Issue types are the canonical way to categorize issues on GitHub. Only fall back to labels when the org has no issue types configured.

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.",
  "type": "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.",
  "type": "Feature",
  "labels": ["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

Extended Capabilities

The following features require REST or GraphQL APIs beyond the basic MCP tools. Each is documented in its own reference file so the agent only loads the knowledge it needs.

Capability	When to use	Reference
Sub-issues & parent issues	Breaking work into hierarchical tasks	references/sub-issues.md
Issue dependencies	Tracking blocked-by / blocking relationships	references/dependencies.md
Issue types (advanced)	GraphQL operations beyond MCP list_issue_types / type param	references/issue-types.md
Projects V2	Project boards, progress reports, field management	references/projects.md
Issue fields	Custom metadata: dates, priority, text, numbers (private preview)	references/issue-fields.md