How do I install the Github Repo Scout skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add stijnman/github-repo-scout in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

Is Github Repo Scout safe to use?

This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.

Which AI agents work with Github Repo Scout?

This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.

Is Github Repo Scout free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free. This skill is licensed under MIT.

Who published Github Repo Scout?

Stijnman (@stijnman) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Github Repo Scout by stijnman — Agent Skill

Name: Github Repo Scout
Author: Stijnman

Github Repo Scout

Investigate a GitHub repository from a URL by reviewing its README, file tree, local clone status, and recommended next steps. Use for: GitHub URL, check this repository, scout repository, understand this project.

Stijnman e065bd7 2.0 KB Updated Sep 17, 2026

File contents

GitHub Repo Scout

When to Use

User says github.com or task matches this capability
User says check this repo or task matches this capability
User says scout repo or task matches this capability
User says what is this project or task matches this capability

Workflow

Parse owner/repo from URL; reject non-GitHub hosts unless user confirms.
Fetch README and top-level tree via public API or git clone (read-only).
Compare README claims vs actual committed files (note drift).
Check if repo exists locally in workspace or common clone paths.
Summarize: purpose, install steps, risks, suggested actions (clone, audit, review).
Do not access private repos without authenticated user context.

Integrations

oss-repo-maintainer
defensive-mcp-audit
skill-rubric-reviewer

Error Handling

Failure	Response
404/private repo	State access limitation; ask user to clone locally.
Rate limited	Backoff; use local clone if available.

Gotchas

Public repos only unless user has authenticated MCP/GitHub access.

Safety & Ethics (Publication-Ready)

This skill is designed for public distribution. Constraints:

Read-only repository inspection.
No harvesting of tokens, secrets, or private issue content.
Do not auto-clone into system directories without user approval.

Prohibited actions

No unauthorized access, malware, or harmful automation
No silent exfiltration of data, credentials, or telemetry
No destructive system changes without hitl-approver
No publication of user PII or environment secrets in outputs

Example

Input: User request matching triggers above. Output: Structured result per workflow; local artifacts only unless user opts in.

---name: github-repo-scoutdescription: Investigate a GitHub repository from a URL by reviewing its README, file tree, local clone status, and recommended next steps. Use for: GitHub URL, check this repository, scout repository, understand this project.license: MIT---# GitHub Repo Scout## When to Use- User says **github.com** or task matches this capability- User says **check this repo** or task matches this capability- User says **scout repo** or task matches this capability- User says **what is this project** or task matches this capability## Workflow1. Parse owner/repo from URL; reject non-GitHub hosts unless user confirms.2. Fetch README and top-level tree via public API or git clone (read-only).3. Compare README claims vs actual committed files (note drift).4. Check if repo exists locally in workspace or common clone paths.5. Summarize: purpose, install steps, risks, suggested actions (clone, audit, review).6. Do not access private repos without authenticated user context.## Integrations- `oss-repo-maintainer`- `defensive-mcp-audit`- `skill-rubric-reviewer`## Error Handling| Failure | Response ||---------|----------|| 404/private repo | State access limitation; ask user to clone locally. || Rate limited | Backoff; use local clone if available. |## Gotchas- Public repos only unless user has authenticated MCP/GitHub access.## Safety & Ethics (Publication-Ready)This skill is designed for public distribution. Constraints:- Read-only repository inspection.- No harvesting of tokens, secrets, or private issue content.- Do not auto-clone into system directories without user approval.### Prohibited actions- No unauthorized access, malware, or harmful automation- No silent exfiltration of data, credentials, or telemetry- No destructive system changes without hitl-approver- No publication of user PII or environment secrets in outputs## Example**Input:** User request matching triggers above.**Output:** Structured result per workflow; local artifacts only unless user opts in.

Frequently asked questions