github

Install to Claude Code

npx -y skills add https://github.com/callstackincubator/agent-skills --skill github

Description

GitHub patterns using gh CLI for pull requests, stacked PRs, code review, branching strategies, and repository automation. Use when working with GitHub PRs, merging strategies, or repository management tasks.

SKILL.md

---
name: github
description: GitHub patterns using gh CLI for pull requests, stacked PRs, code review, branching strategies, and repository automation. Use when working with GitHub PRs, merging strategies, or repository management tasks.
license: MIT
metadata:
  author: Callstack
  tags: github, gh-cli, pull-request, stacked-pr, squash, rebase
---

# GitHub Patterns

## Tools

Use `gh` CLI for all GitHub operations. Prefer CLI over GitHub MCP servers for lower context usage.

## Quick Commands

```bash
# Create a PR from the current branch
gh pr create --title "feat: add feature" --body "Description"

# Squash-merge a PR
gh pr merge <PR_NUMBER> --squash --title "feat: add feature (#<PR_NUMBER>)"

# View PR status and checks
gh pr status
gh pr checks <PR_NUMBER>
```

## Stacked PR Workflow Summary

When merging a chain of stacked PRs (each targeting the previous branch):

1. **Merge the first PR** into main via squash merge
2. **For each subsequent PR**: rebase onto main, update base to main, then squash merge
3. **On conflicts**: stop and ask the user to resolve manually

```bash
# Rebase next PR's branch onto main, excluding already-merged commits
git rebase --onto origin/main <old-base-branch> <next-branch>
git push --force-with-lease origin <next-branch>
gh pr edit <N> --base main
gh pr merge <N> --squash --title "<PR title> (#N)"
```

See [stacked-pr-workflow.md][stacked-pr-workflow] for full step-by-step details.

## Quick Reference

| File | Description |
| --- | --- |
| [stacked-pr-workflow.md][stacked-pr-workflow] | Merge stacked PRs into main as individual squash commits |

## Problem -> Skill Mapping

| Problem | Start With |
| --- | --- |
| Merge stacked PRs cleanly | [stacked-pr-workflow.md][stacked-pr-workflow] |

[stacked-pr-workflow]: references/stacked-pr-workflow.md