Community Health

community-health

Writes the prose files GitHub surfaces around every issue, PR, and repo visit. The failure this skill fixes: generic boilerplate that doesn't match the repo (CONTRIBUTING files with commands that don't exist, SECURITY files pointing at disclosure paths that 404, CODEOWNERS files that enforce nothing).

When NOT to use

• Issue forms / PR templates / labels → issue-pr-templates (GitHub counts them in the community profile, but they're structured YAML work, not prose).
• Enabling secret scanning, rulesets, code-owner enforcement → repo-protections.
• README work → readme-author.

Workflow

1. Inspect the repo first: language, real test/build/setup commands, maintainer handles, license state, project stage (solo? contributors? org?). Every file must reflect reality — a CONTRIBUTING that says make test when there is no Makefile is worse than no file.
2. Right-size before writing. Read the stage table in references/health-files-guide.md: solo/early repos need LICENSE + README + CI first; CODE_OF_CONDUCT/GOVERNANCE earn their keep once outside contributors exist. Recommend a staged order, don't dump all files unasked.
3. Write the requested files per the per-file requirements in the guide:
   • CONTRIBUTING.md — dev setup, the repo's real test/lint commands, PR workflow, where to propose ideas first. Surfaced by GitHub in issue/PR flows.
   • CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md — Contributor Covenant, unmodified; flag the contact placeholder for the maintainer.
   • SECURITY.md — private reporting path; note the PVR link 404s until enabled on a public repo (enforcement itself → repo-protections); supported versions.
   • SUPPORT.md — route questions away from the issue tracker.
   • GOVERNANCE.md — one page: roles, how decisions get made, how contributors become maintainers. One page beats none; skip for solo repos.
   • FUNDING.yml — valid platform keys only, in .github/.
   • CODEOWNERS — real handles on sensitive paths including .github/ and workflow files; always warn it is inert until a ruleset requires code-owner review, and route enforcement to repo-protections.
   • LICENSE — full standard text at the root (GitHub's detector needs it); MIT/Apache-2.0 default; note the CLA-vs-DCO table in the guide if asked.
4. Verify:

   python3 "${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/scripts/check_health_files.py" [--remote owner/repo]
   

   --remote also fetches GitHub's community-profile health percentage. Note the profile also counts issue/PR templates — if templates are the remaining gap, say so and route that work to issue-pr-templates rather than writing them here.
5. Summarize what was added, what was deliberately deferred and why.

Output spec

Requested files exist, are non-empty, contain the repo's real commands/handles, and pass scripts/check_health_files.py. Placeholders the maintainer must fill (CoC contact, funding handles) are explicitly listed in the summary, not silently left.

Gotchas

• Files are recognized in .github/, the root, or docs/ — pick one convention; .github/ keeps the root clean, root maximizes visibility.
• CODEOWNERS syntax errors are silent — validate paths exist and handles are real.
• Don't write a CLA unprompted; DCO is the low-friction default, and the choice depends on relicensing needs (see the guide's decision table).
• A SECURITY.md promising response times the maintainer can't keep is a liability — default to "best effort within 7 days" phrasing unless told otherwise.

Files

• references/health-files-guide.md — per-file content requirements, stage table, CLA/DCO decision table, community-profile checklist.
• scripts/check_health_files.py — presence/content checks; --remote adds the community-profile API; non-zero exit on missing required files.