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What You'll Build

A GitHub workflow assistant that uses Continue with the GitHub MCP to:
  • List, filter, and summarize open issues
  • Review and summarize recently merged PRs
  • Post comments with AI-generated summaries or checklists
  • Automate routine GitHub maintenance with headless CLI runs

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Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:
  • Continue account with Hub access
  • Read: Understanding Agents — How to get started with Hub agents
  • Node.js 22+ installed locally
  • A GitHub account and a repository to work with
  • A GitHub token with the appropriate scopes:
    • For read-only: repo:read
    • To comment on issues/PRs: public_repo for public repos or repo for private repos
For all options, first:
1

Install Continue CLI

npm i -g @continuedev/cli
2

Configure GitHub Token

Add your GITHUB_TOKEN to your Continue Hub agent’s environment variables.
To use agents in headless mode, you need a Continue API key. For write actions (e.g., posting comments), your token must include the relevant GitHub scopes.

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GitHub MCP Workflow Options

🚀 Fastest Path to Success

Use the GitHub MCP from Continue Hub for one-click setup, or add it via CLI.
After ensuring you meet the Prerequisites above, you have two paths to get started:
To use GitHub MCP with Continue CLI, you need either:
  • Continue CLI Pro Plan with the models add-on, OR
  • Your own API keys added to Continue Hub secrets
The agent will automatically detect and use your configuration along with the GitHub MCP for issue and PR operations.

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Issue Workflows

Use natural language to explore, triage, and act on open issues. The agent calls GitHub MCP tools under the hood.
Where to run these workflows:
  • IDE Extensions: Use Continue in VS Code, JetBrains, or other supported IDEs
  • Terminal (TUI mode): Run cn to enter interactive mode, then type your prompts
  • CLI (headless mode): Use cn -p "your prompt" --auto for automation

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Triage and Summaries

Summarize Open Issues

Get a prioritized overview of current open issues.TUI Mode Prompt:
List the 20 most recently updated open issues in this repo.
Cluster by label and severity. Summarize top priorities.
Headless Mode Prompt:
cn -p "List the 20 most recently updated open issues in this repo. Cluster by label and severity. Summarize top priorities." --auto

Owner/Label Filters

Narrow by label or assignee.TUI Mode Prompt:
Show open issues labeled bug or security, assigned to @me.
Summarize blockers and suggest next steps.
Headless Mode Prompt:
cn -p "Show open issues labeled bug or security, assigned to @me. Summarize blockers and suggest next steps." --auto

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Taking Action

Comment on an Issue

Post an AI-generated status update or checklist.TUI Mode Prompt:
Find the issue with the most engagement (comments, reactions) in the last 30 days.
Come up with a triage plan and draft a comment with:
- current hypothesis
- next 2 steps
- owner and ETA
Then post the comment.
Headless Mode Prompt:
cn -p "Find the issue with the most engagement in the last 30 days. Come up with a triage plan and draft a comment (hypothesis, next 2 steps, owner, ETA) and post it." --auto
Requires a token with permission to comment (public_repo or repo). The agent will confirm before posting unless --auto is used.

Find Stale Issues

Identify issues that need attention.TUI Mode Prompt:
Find open issues with no activity in the last 30 days.
Suggest action (close, needs-repro, or prioritize) and draft comments.
Headless Mode Prompt:
cn -p "Find open issues with no activity in the last 30 days. Suggest action and draft comments for each." --auto

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Merged PR Workflows

Analyze recently merged PRs for change awareness, release notes, and quality signals.

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Recently Merged Overview

Merged PR Digest

Summarize merged PRs over a time window.TUI Mode Prompt:
List PRs merged in the last 7 days.
Group by area (label or path). Summarize impact and notable changes.
Headless Mode Prompt:
cn -p "List PRs merged in the last 7 days. Group by area (label or path). Summarize impact and notable changes." --auto

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Release Notes

Generate Release Notes

Turn merged PRs into crisp release notes.TUI Mode Prompt:
Generate release notes for PRs merged since tag v1.2.0.
Use keep-a-changelog sections and include PR numbers/authors.
Headless Mode Prompt:
cn -p "Generate release notes for PRs merged since tag v1.2.0. Use keep-a-changelog sections and include PR numbers/authors." --auto

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Deep Dives

Summarize a PR

Get a human-readable summary of a recently merged PR with active discussion.TUI Mode Prompt:
Find the last merged PR with a significant amount of comments.
Summarize the conversation, including goal, key changes,
risk areas, and any follow-ups.
Headless Mode Prompt:
cn -p "Find the last merged PR with a significant amount of comments. Summarize the conversation including goal, key changes, risk areas, and follow-ups." --auto

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Automate with GitHub Actions

Run headless commands on a schedule or in PRs to keep teams informed.

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Add GitHub Secrets

Repository Settings → Secrets and variables → Actions:

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Example Workflow

Create .github/workflows/github-mcp-reports.yml: 
name: GitHub MCP Reports

on:
  schedule:
    - cron: "0 13 * * 1"  # Mondays 13:00 UTC
  workflow_dispatch:
  pull_request:
    types: [opened, synchronize]

jobs:
  report:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    env:
      CONTINUE_API_KEY: ${{ secrets.CONTINUE_API_KEY }}
      GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - uses: actions/setup-node@v4
        with:
          node-version: "18"
      - name: Install Continue CLI
        run: npm i -g @continuedev/cli

      - name: Weekly Issue Triage Summary
        if: github.event_name == 'schedule' || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch'
        run: |
          cn --config continuedev/github-manager-ai \
             -p "List open issues updated in the last 14 days. Group by label and priority. Propose top 5 actions and include issue links." \
             --auto > issue_summary.txt

      - name: Post PR Context Comment
        if: github.event_name == 'pull_request'
        env:
          PR_NUMBER: ${{ github.event.pull_request.number }}
        run: |
          REPORT=$(cn --config continuedev/github-manager-ai \
            -p "Summarize the context for PR #${PR_NUMBER}: related open issues, risk areas, and test suggestions. Keep under 200 words." \
            --auto)
          gh pr comment ${PR_NUMBER} --body "$REPORT"
Use continuedev/github-manager-ai consistently throughout your automation as the recommended agent configuration.

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Troubleshooting

  • Missing or invalid token: Ensure GITHUB_TOKEN is set and has the required scopes. Try a minimal test: “List 3 open issues in this repo”.
  • Permissions errors on comment: Your token must include public_repo (public) or repo (private) to write comments.
  • Rate limiting: Reduce frequency or filter queries; consider using a PAT distinct from the default Actions token when running in CI.
  • MCP connection timeout: If using custom YAML, increase connectionTimeout or verify the command/args from the Hub listing.

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What You’ve Built

After completing this guide, you have a complete AI-powered GitHub workflow system that:
  • ✅ Uses natural language — Simple prompts for complex GitHub operations
  • ✅ Automates issue triage — AI analyzes and summarizes open issues
  • ✅ Generates release notes — Automatic PR digests and changelogs
  • ✅ Runs continuously — Automated reports via GitHub Actions

Continuous AI

Your GitHub workflow now operates at Level 2 Continuous AI - AI handles routine issue triage and PR summaries with human oversight through review and approval.

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Next Steps

  1. Explore your issues - Try the issue triage prompts on your repository
  2. Generate release notes - Use the merged PR prompts to create changelogs
  3. Set up automation - Add the GitHub Actions workflow to your repo
  4. Customize prompts - Tailor the prompts to your team’s workflow
  5. Monitor progress - Track issue resolution metrics over time

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Additional Resources

GitHub MCP (Anthropic)

Anthropic GitHub MCP on Continue Hub

MCP in Continue

How MCP works with Continue agents

GitHub Manager AI Agent

Pre-configured agent on Continue Hub

GitHub MCP Server

Official GitHub MCP server README
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