How do I install the Github Helper skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add zrtch/github-helper 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 Helper safe to use?

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

Which AI agents work with Github Helper?

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 Helper free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free, and the skill stays under its author's original license.

Who published Github Helper?

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

Github Helper by zrtch — Agent Skill

Name: Github Helper
Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews)
Author: zrtch

Github Helper

Local GitHub repository helper for search, clone, sync, and issue/PR inspection workflows. Use when users mention github/repo/repository, ask to download or track repositories, or need structured local knowledge at /Users/liuchen/Documents/github with gh CLI and GitHub MCP integration.

zrtch Updated Sep 22, 2026

File contents

GitHub Helper

Overview

管理本地 GitHub 仓库目录，维护可检索知识库，并为仓库检索、克隆、Issue/PR 跟踪提供统一流程。

Local Repository Directory

Default path: /Users/liuchen/Documents/github

This path is referenced in the knowledge base file: @/Users/liuchen/Documents/github/CLAUDE.md

Core Workflows

1. Initialize or Update Knowledge Base

When first using this skill or when user requests an update:

Check if the github directory exists.
If not found, ask user for the correct path.
Scan the directory using scripts/scan_repos.py.
Update CLAUDE.md using scripts/update_kb.py.

Example:

# Scan repositories
python3 scripts/scan_repos.py /Users/liuchen/Documents/github

# Update knowledge base (pass repos as JSON)
python3 scripts/update_kb.py /Users/liuchen/Documents/github '[{"name":"repo1","path":"/path","summary":"desc"}]'

2. Search for Repository

When user mentions a repository name:

Check local first: Read @/Users/liuchen/Documents/github/CLAUDE.md.
If found locally: Use local path to analyze and answer.
If not found: Search GitHub using gh or GitHub MCP tools.
Offer to download: Ask user whether to clone.

3. Download Repository

When user requests to download/clone:

Clone to the github directory:

cd /Users/liuchen/Documents/github
git clone <repo-url>

After successful clone, update knowledge base:
- Run scripts/scan_repos.py to get repo info.
- Run scripts/update_kb.py to update CLAUDE.md.

4. GitHub Search Integration

Use gh CLI first, then fall back to GitHub MCP:

Search repositories

gh search repos <query> --limit 10

Search issues

gh issue list --repo <owner/repo> --state all --limit 20

Search PRs

gh pr list --repo <owner/repo> --state all --limit 20

Answering Repository Questions

Check whether repository exists in local knowledge base.
If local, prioritize local code inspection.
If information is insufficient, query GitHub issues/PRs/releases.

Directory Validation

If /Users/liuchen/Documents/github does not exist:

Ask user for the correct repository root path.
Update this SKILL.md path if needed.
Initialize knowledge base at the new location.

Scripts

scan_repos.py: Scan local repositories and extract summaries.
update_kb.py: Update CLAUDE.md with repository metadata.

---name: github-helperdescription: Local GitHub repository helper for search, clone, sync, and issue/PR inspection workflows. Use when users mention github/repo/repository, ask to download or track repositories, or need structured local knowledge at /Users/liuchen/Documents/github with gh CLI and GitHub MCP integration.---# GitHub Helper## Overview管理本地 GitHub 仓库目录，维护可检索知识库，并为仓库检索、克隆、Issue/PR 跟踪提供统一流程。## Local Repository Directory**Default path**: `/Users/liuchen/Documents/github`This path is referenced in the knowledge base file: `@/Users/liuchen/Documents/github/CLAUDE.md`## Core Workflows### 1. Initialize or Update Knowledge BaseWhen first using this skill or when user requests an update:1. Check if the github directory exists.2. If not found, ask user for the correct path.3. Scan the directory using `scripts/scan_repos.py`.4. Update CLAUDE.md using `scripts/update_kb.py`.Example:```bash# Scan repositoriespython3 scripts/scan_repos.py /Users/liuchen/Documents/github# Update knowledge base (pass repos as JSON)python3 scripts/update_kb.py /Users/liuchen/Documents/github '[{"name":"repo1","path":"/path","summary":"desc"}]'```### 2. Search for RepositoryWhen user mentions a repository name:1. **Check local first**: Read `@/Users/liuchen/Documents/github/CLAUDE.md`.2. **If found locally**: Use local path to analyze and answer.3. **If not found**: Search GitHub using `gh` or GitHub MCP tools.4. **Offer to download**: Ask user whether to clone.### 3. Download RepositoryWhen user requests to download/clone:1. Clone to the github directory: ```bash cd /Users/liuchen/Documents/github git clone <repo-url> ```2. After successful clone, update knowledge base: - Run `scripts/scan_repos.py` to get repo info. - Run `scripts/update_kb.py` to update CLAUDE.md.### 4. GitHub Search IntegrationUse `gh` CLI first, then fall back to GitHub MCP:**Search repositories**```bashgh search repos <query> --limit 10```**Search issues**```bashgh issue list --repo <owner/repo> --state all --limit 20```**Search PRs**```bashgh pr list --repo <owner/repo> --state all --limit 20```## Answering Repository Questions1. Check whether repository exists in local knowledge base.2. If local, prioritize local code inspection.3. If information is insufficient, query GitHub issues/PRs/releases.## Directory ValidationIf `/Users/liuchen/Documents/github` does not exist:1. Ask user for the correct repository root path.2. Update this SKILL.md path if needed.3. Initialize knowledge base at the new location.## Scripts- `scan_repos.py`: Scan local repositories and extract summaries.- `update_kb.py`: Update `CLAUDE.md` with repository metadata.

Frequently asked questions