# Gh Fetch

> GitHub fetch — gh CLI for GitHub URLs; checkout when multiple file accesses are foreseen. Use when the user shares a GitHub link or wants remote repo source.

- Skill: `lucavb/gh-fetch` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 4 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add lucavb/gh-fetch`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/lucavb/gh-fetch/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: lucavb (https://skillmd.com/u/lucavb)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/lucavb/gh-fetch

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# GitHub fetch

A **fetch** run is the same **process** every GitHub task: parse → **foresee** → **fetch** or **checkout**.

## Steps

### 1. Parse

Parse `owner/repo` (+ issue/PR number if present) from URL or user text.

**Completion criterion:** `owner/repo` identified (or user asked to clarify).

### 2. Foresee

Before **checkout**, decide: will this task need more than one file read or a repo-wide search (Grep/Glob)?

- **No** → **fetch** branch (Step 3).
- **Yes** → **checkout** branch (Step 4).
- Task expands mid-run → re-**foresee** before the second access; switch branches if needed.

**Completion criterion:** branch chosen and recorded (fetch vs checkout).

### 3. Fetch branch

Follow [GH-COMMANDS.md](GH-COMMANDS.md) for the URL type. Single file: `gh api repos/owner/repo/contents/path?ref=branch`.

**Completion criterion:** requested content returned via `gh`; no **checkout** started.

### 4. Checkout branch

Follow [CHECKOUT.md](CHECKOUT.md) — ask for local path, verify remote, clone only with approval.

**Completion criterion:** verified local path in use, or approved shallow clone at a known absolute path; Read/Grep/Glob target that tree.

## Reach

Reach GitHub through **`gh`** (**fetch** branch) or a verified **checkout** path. If `gh` is missing or unauthenticated, WebFetch is the fallback.

**Done when:** every access went through **fetch** or **checkout** per the **foresee** gate; WebFetch used only on genuine `gh` failure.