Overview

gh-issue-develop helps you manage branches linked to GitHub issues. Use it to list existing linked branches or to create new ones tied to a specific issue, with control over branch name, base, and checkout behavior, including fork scenarios.

How This Skill Works

The skill uses the GitHub CLI (gh). It first verifies authentication, then can list linked branches with gh issue develop --list <issue>, or create a new branch with gh issue develop <issue> --name <branch> --base <base> [--checkout], optionally targeting a fork with --branch-repo. Inputs include the issue number or URL and optional branch details.

When to Use It

• You need a branch that is explicitly linked to a specific issue.
• You want to list all branches associated with an issue to review work in progress.
• You need to create a new feature branch for an issue with a specific base branch.
• You work from a fork and must create the branch in a fork using --branch-repo.
• You want to immediately switch to the newly created branch after creation using --checkout.

Quick Start

1. Step 1: Verify gh CLI is installed and you are authenticated (gh --version; gh auth status).
2. Step 2: List or create a linked branch for the issue using gh issue develop <ISSUE> with --list or --name/--base/--checkout.
3. Step 3: If creating, include a meaningful branch name with --name, choose the correct --base, and use --checkout if you want to switch immediately.

Best Practices

• Always confirm the correct issue number or URL and, if necessary, the target repository.
• Use a consistent naming scheme for branches, e.g. feature/<issue-number>-description.
• Specify the proper base branch with --base to ensure correct merge targets.
• Use --checkout when you want to start work immediately on the new branch.
• For forks, use --branch-repo to ensure the branch is created in the intended remote.

Example Use Cases

• ~ gh issue develop 123 --checkout
• gh issue develop 123 --name "feature/123-fix" --base main
• gh issue develop --list 456
• gh issue develop 789 --name "feature/789" --base develop --branch-repo my-fork
• gh issue develop 321 --name "feature/321-improve" --base release --checkout

Frequently Asked Questions