# Gh Repo Father

> The ultimate GitHub repo bootstrapper. Trigger this skill whenever a user wants to start a new project, build an idea, create a repo, scaffold a codebase, or says things like "I want to build X", "help me start a project", "create a repo for Z", "let's build something that does W", or even vaguely "I have this idea…". Guides the user from raw idea → methodology-informed plan → approved design → scaffolded repo → GitHub push. Always use for new project creation even when GitHub is not mentioned explicitly.

- Skill: `htlin222/gh-repo-father` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 5 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add htlin222/gh-repo-father`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/htlin222/gh-repo-father/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: htlin222 (https://skillmd.com/u/htlin222)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/htlin222/gh-repo-father

---


# gh-repo-father 🧑‍👶

> **From raw idea → methodology-informed plan → GitHub repo ready for Claude Code.**

This is a **thin orchestrator**. At each phase, read the relevant reference file before acting — do not rely on memory.

---

## Quick-start Checklist

- [ ] Phase 0 — Check prereqs (`gh`, `git`)
- [ ] Phase 1 — Brainstorm & plan (read `references/brainstorm.md`)
- [ ] Phase 2 — Pick methodology (read `references/methodology-guide.md`)
- [ ] Phase 3 — Scaffold (read `references/project-templates.md`)
- [ ] Phase 4 — Populate files (read `references/file-guide.md`)
- [ ] Phase 5 — Git + GitHub push
- [ ] Phase 6 — Handoff to Claude Code

---

## Phase 0 — Prereqs

```bash
which gh && gh auth status 2>&1 | head -2
which git && git --version
```

If `gh` is missing or unauthenticated, warn the user but continue with planning.

---

## Phase 1 — Brainstorm

**→ Read `references/brainstorm.md` now before asking a single question.**

Flow inside brainstorm.md:
1. Clarifying questions (one at a time)
2. Web search the idea
3. **Novelty evaluation** — present prior art + verdict before any approach proposals
4. Propose 2–3 approaches
5. Write comprehensive plan → wait for approval

Do NOT scaffold until plan is explicitly approved by user.

---

## Phase 2 — Methodology

**→ Read `references/methodology-guide.md` now.**

After understanding what the project is, pick the right design methodology:

| Signal in the idea | Suggested methodology |
|---|---|
| "users", "customers", UX focus | JTBD + User Stories |
| "service", "API", "integration" | SDD (Service Design Doc) |
| "domain", "entities", complex logic | DDD (Domain-Driven Design) |
| "tests first", reliability focus | TDD |
| General / unclear | SDD lite |

Present the methodology choice to the user and confirm before writing plan docs.

---

## Phase 3 — Scaffold

**→ Read `references/project-templates.md` now.**

Steps:
```bash
REPO_NAME="<slugified-name>"   # lowercase, hyphens, no special chars
mkdir -p "$(pwd)/../$REPO_NAME"
cd "$(pwd)/../$REPO_NAME"
git init
```

Pick the template closest to the project type. Blend if hybrid.

---

## Phase 4 — Populate Files

**→ Read `references/file-guide.md` now.**

Always create: `README.md`, `README-zh-tw.md`, `CLAUDE.md`, `plan/`, `.gitignore`, `LICENSE`.
The `CLAUDE.md` is the most important file — Claude Code reads it first.

---

## Phase 5 — Commit & Push

```bash
git add -A
git commit -m "feat: initial scaffold — $(date +%Y-%m-%d)

Auto-generated by gh-repo-father.
Methodology: <chosen methodology>
Plan: plan/00-overview.md"

gh repo create "$REPO_NAME" \
  --private \
  --source=. \
  --remote=origin \
  --push \
  --description "<one-liner>"
```

If `gh` unavailable: commit locally, print manual push command.

---

## Phase 6 — Handoff

```
✅ Done!

📁 Local:   ../<repo-name>/
🐙 GitHub:  https://github.com/<username>/<repo-name>

🚀 To start in Claude Code:
   1. claude.ai/code → "Open GitHub repo"
   2. Select: <username>/<repo-name>
   3. CLAUDE.md tells Claude Code exactly what to do next.

📋 Plan: plan/00-overview.md
✅ Todo:  plan/01-todo.md
```

---

## Reference Index

| File | Read when |
|------|-----------|
| `references/brainstorm.md` | Phase 1 — asking questions, proposing approaches |
| `references/methodology-guide.md` | Phase 2 — picking TDD / SDD / DDD / JTBD |
| `references/project-templates.md` | Phase 3 — choosing file tree template |
| `references/file-guide.md` | Phase 4 — writing CLAUDE.md, READMEs, plan/ docs |