> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.gourmand.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# GitHub Issues and PRs with GitHub MCP and Gobi

> Use Gobi and the GitHub MCP to list, summarize, and act on open issues and recently merged pull requests with natural language prompts.

<Card title="What You'll Build" icon="github">
  A GitHub workflow assistant that uses Gobi with the GitHub MCP to:

  * List, filter, and summarize open issues
  * Review and summarize recently merged PRs
  * Post comments with AI-generated summaries or checklists
  * Automate routine GitHub maintenance with headless CLI runs
</Card>

## Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

* Gobi account with **Hub access**
  * Read: [Understanding Configs — How to get started with Hub configs](/guides/understanding-configs#how-to-get-started-with-hub-configs)
* Node.js 22+ installed locally
* A GitHub account and a repository to work with
* A GitHub token with the appropriate scopes:
  * For read-only: `repo:read`
  * To comment on issues/PRs: `public_repo` for public repos or `repo` for private repos

For all options, first:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install Gobi CLI">
    ```bash theme={null}
    npm i -g @gourmanddev/cli
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure GitHub Token">
    Add your `GITHUB_TOKEN` to your [Gobi Hub agent's environment variables](https://hub.gourmand.dev/settings).
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  To use agents in headless mode, you need a [Gobi API key](https://hub.gourmand.dev/settings/api-keys).
  For write actions (e.g., posting comments), your token must include the relevant GitHub scopes.
</Warning>

## GitHub MCP Workflow Options

<Card title="🚀 Fastest Path to Success" icon="rocket">
  Use the GitHub MCP from Gobi Hub for one-click setup, or add it via CLI.
</Card>

After ensuring you meet the **Prerequisites** above, you have two paths to get started:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="⚡ Quick Start (Recommended)">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Install GitHub MCP via Gobi Hub">
        Visit the [Anthropic GitHub MCP](https://hub.gourmand.dev/anthropic/github-mcp) on Gobi Hub and click **Install** to add it to your agent.

        The listing provides a pre-configured MCP block; add your `GITHUB_TOKEN` in Hub.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Launch the Agent">
        From your repo root:

        ```bash theme={null}
        cn --config gourmand/github-manager-ai
        ```

        Now try: "List my open issues labeled bug and summarize priorities."
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    <Info>
      You can also attach an MCP to a one-off session: `cn --mcp anthropic/github-mcp`.
    </Info>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="🛠️ Manual Setup">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Create a New Agent on Gobi Hub">
        Go to the [Gobi Hub](https://hub.gourmand.dev) and [create a new agent](https://hub.gourmand.dev/new?type=agent).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Add GitHub MCP">
        Install from Hub (recommended) or add YAML manually. Minimal YAML example:

        ```yaml title="config.yaml" theme={null}
        mcpServers:
          - name: GitHub MCP
            command: npx
            args:
              - "-y"
              - "@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"
            env:
              GITHUB_TOKEN: ${env:GITHUB_TOKEN}
            connectionTimeout: 30
        ```

        Notes:

        * The exact `command`/`args` may differ based on the MCP you choose on Hub. Hub templates prefill these for you.
        * Provide `GITHUB_TOKEN` via environment or Hub secrets.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Test the Connection">
        Launch Gobi and ask:

        ```
        List the 5 most recently updated open issues in this repository.
        ```
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Accordion title="Agent Requirements">
  To use GitHub MCP with Gobi CLI, you need either:

  * **Gobi CLI Pro Plan** with the models add-on, OR
  * **Your own API keys** added to Gobi Hub secrets

  The agent will automatically detect and use your configuration along with the GitHub MCP for issue and PR operations.
</Accordion>

***

## Issue Workflows

Use natural language to explore, triage, and act on open issues. The agent calls GitHub MCP tools under the hood.

<Info>
  **Where to run these workflows:**

  * **IDE Extensions**: Use Gobi in VS Code, JetBrains, or other supported IDEs
  * **Terminal (TUI mode)**: Run `cn` to enter interactive mode, then type your prompts
  * **CLI (headless mode)**: Use `cn -p "your prompt" --auto` for automation
</Info>

### Triage and Summaries

<Card title="Summarize Open Issues" icon="clipboard-list">
  Get a prioritized overview of current open issues.

  **TUI Mode Prompt:**

  ```
  List the 20 most recently updated open issues in this repo.
  Cluster by label and severity. Summarize top priorities.
  ```

  **Headless Mode Prompt:**

  ```bash theme={null}
  cn -p "List the 20 most recently updated open issues in this repo. Cluster by label and severity. Summarize top priorities." --auto
  ```
</Card>

<Card title="Owner/Label Filters" icon="filter">
  Narrow by label or assignee.

  **TUI Mode Prompt:**

  ```
  Show open issues labeled bug or security, assigned to @me.
  Summarize blockers and suggest next steps.
  ```

  **Headless Mode Prompt:**

  ```bash theme={null}
  cn -p "Show open issues labeled bug or security, assigned to @me. Summarize blockers and suggest next steps." --auto
  ```
</Card>

### Taking Action

<Card title="Comment on an Issue" icon="comment">
  Post an AI-generated status update or checklist.

  **TUI Mode Prompt:**

  ```
  Find the issue with the most engagement (comments, reactions) in the last 30 days.
  Come up with a triage plan and draft a comment with:
  - current hypothesis
  - next 2 steps
  - owner and ETA
  Then post the comment.
  ```

  **Headless Mode Prompt:**

  ```bash theme={null}
  cn -p "Find the issue with the most engagement in the last 30 days. Come up with a triage plan and draft a comment (hypothesis, next 2 steps, owner, ETA) and post it." --auto
  ```

  <Note>
    Requires a token with permission to comment (`public_repo` or `repo`). The agent will confirm before posting unless `--auto` is used.
  </Note>
</Card>

<Card title="Find Stale Issues" icon="clock">
  Identify issues that need attention.

  **TUI Mode Prompt:**

  ```
  Find open issues with no activity in the last 30 days.
  Suggest action (close, needs-repro, or prioritize) and draft comments.
  ```

  **Headless Mode Prompt:**

  ```bash theme={null}
  cn -p "Find open issues with no activity in the last 30 days. Suggest action and draft comments for each." --auto
  ```
</Card>

***

## Merged PR Workflows

Analyze recently merged PRs for change awareness, release notes, and quality signals.

### Recently Merged Overview

<Card title="Merged PR Digest" icon="code-merge">
  Summarize merged PRs over a time window.

  **TUI Mode Prompt:**

  ```
  List PRs merged in the last 7 days.
  Group by area (label or path). Summarize impact and notable changes.
  ```

  **Headless Mode Prompt:**

  ```bash theme={null}
  cn -p "List PRs merged in the last 7 days. Group by area (label or path). Summarize impact and notable changes." --auto
  ```
</Card>

### Release Notes

<Card title="Generate Release Notes" icon="file-lines">
  Turn merged PRs into crisp release notes.

  **TUI Mode Prompt:**

  ```
  Generate release notes for PRs merged since tag v1.2.0.
  Use keep-a-changelog sections and include PR numbers/authors.
  ```

  **Headless Mode Prompt:**

  ```bash theme={null}
  cn -p "Generate release notes for PRs merged since tag v1.2.0. Use keep-a-changelog sections and include PR numbers/authors." --auto
  ```
</Card>

### Deep Dives

<Card title="Summarize a PR" icon="magnifying-glass">
  Get a human-readable summary of a recently merged PR with active discussion.

  **TUI Mode Prompt:**

  ```
  Find the last merged PR with a significant amount of comments.
  Summarize the conversation, including goal, key changes,
  risk areas, and any follow-ups.
  ```

  **Headless Mode Prompt:**

  ```bash theme={null}
  cn -p "Find the last merged PR with a significant amount of comments. Summarize the conversation including goal, key changes, risk areas, and follow-ups." --auto
  ```
</Card>

***

## Automate with GitHub Actions

Run headless commands on a schedule or in PRs to keep teams informed.

### Add GitHub Secrets

Repository Settings → Secrets and variables → Actions:

* `GOBI_API_KEY`: From [hub.gourmand.dev/settings/api-keys](https://hub.gourmand.dev/settings/api-keys)
* `GITHUB_TOKEN`: A token with permissions to read issues/PRs and post comments

### Example Workflow

Create `.github/workflows/github-mcp-reports.yml`:

```yaml theme={null}
name: GitHub MCP Reports

on:
  schedule:
    - cron: "0 13 * * 1"  # Mondays 13:00 UTC
  workflow_dispatch:
  pull_request:
    types: [opened, synchronize]

jobs:
  report:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    env:
      GOBI_API_KEY: ${{ secrets.GOBI_API_KEY }}
      GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - uses: actions/setup-node@v4
        with:
          node-version: "18"
      - name: Install Gobi CLI
        run: npm i -g @gourmanddev/cli

      - name: Weekly Issue Triage Summary
        if: github.event_name == 'schedule' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch'
        run: |
          cn --config gourmand/github-manager-ai \
             -p "List open issues updated in the last 14 days. Group by label and priority. Propose top 5 actions and include issue links." \
             --auto > issue_summary.txt

      - name: Post PR Context Comment
        if: github.event_name == 'pull_request'
        env:
          PR_NUMBER: ${{ github.event.pull_request.number }}
        run: |
          REPORT=$(cn --config gourmand/github-manager-ai \
            -p "Summarize the context for PR #${PR_NUMBER}: related open issues, risk areas, and test suggestions. Keep under 200 words." \
            --auto)
          gh pr comment ${PR_NUMBER} --body "$REPORT"
```

<Info>
  Use `gourmand/github-manager-ai` consistently throughout your automation as the recommended agent configuration.
</Info>

***

## Troubleshooting

* **Missing or invalid token:** Ensure `GITHUB_TOKEN` is set and has the required scopes. Try a minimal test: “List 3 open issues in this repo”.
* **Permissions errors on comment:** Your token must include `public_repo` (public) or `repo` (private) to write comments.
* **Rate limiting:** Reduce frequency or filter queries; consider using a PAT distinct from the default Actions token when running in CI.
* **MCP connection timeout:** If using custom YAML, increase `connectionTimeout` or verify the `command`/`args` from the Hub listing.

## What You've Built

After completing this guide, you have a complete **AI-powered GitHub workflow system** that:

* ✅ Uses natural language — Simple prompts for complex GitHub operations
* ✅ Automates issue triage — AI analyzes and summarizes open issues
* ✅ Generates release notes — Automatic PR digests and changelogs
* ✅ Runs continuously — Automated reports via GitHub Actions

<Card title="Continuous AI" icon="rocket">
  Your GitHub workflow now operates at **[Level 2 Continuous
  AI](https://blog.gourmand.dev/what-is-continuous-ai-a-developers-guide/)** -
  AI handles routine issue triage and PR summaries with human oversight
  through review and approval.
</Card>

## Next Steps

1. **Explore your issues** - Try the issue triage prompts on your repository
2. **Generate release notes** - Use the merged PR prompts to create changelogs
3. **Set up automation** - Add the GitHub Actions workflow to your repo
4. **Customize prompts** - Tailor the prompts to your team's workflow
5. **Monitor progress** - Track issue resolution metrics over time

## Additional Resources

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="GitHub MCP (Anthropic)" icon="link" href="https://hub.gourmand.dev/anthropic/github-mcp">
    Anthropic GitHub MCP on Gobi Hub
  </Card>

  <Card title="MCP in Gobi" icon="book" href="/customize/deep-dives/mcp">
    How MCP works with Gobi agents
  </Card>

  <Card title="GitHub Manager AI Agent" icon="robot" href="https://hub.gourmand.dev/gobi/github-manager-ai">
    Pre-configured agent on Gobi Hub
  </Card>

  <Card title="GitHub MCP Server" icon="link" href="https://github.com/github/github-mcp-server/blob/main/README.md">
    Official GitHub MCP server README
  </Card>
</CardGroup>