Claude Code GitHub Actions

GitHub hosts code for millions of teams, and GitHub Actions runs automatic jobs whenever something happens in a repository. Connecting Claude Code to Actions brings an AI teammate into issues and pull requests. A short comment such as @claude can trigger a review, a bug fix, or a new feature.

The Team Chat Helper Idea

Picture a colleague who watches your project page and jumps in whenever someone calls their name. You write a request in an issue, mention the helper, and a proposed solution arrives as a pull request. The GitHub integration delivers exactly that experience.

Developer writes: "@claude fix the login timeout bug"
            ↓
   GitHub Action wakes up
            ↓
   Claude Code reads the repository
            ↓
   Claude Code edits code on a new branch
            ↓
   A pull request appears for human review

What You Need

• A GitHub repository where you have admin rights.
• An Anthropic API key or another supported access method.
• The Claude GitHub app installed on the repository.

Quick Setup

Run /install-github-app inside a Claude Code session. A guided flow installs the app and saves the needed secret. Manual setup works too: add the workflow file shown below and store your API key as a repository secret named ANTHROPIC_API_KEY.

A Basic Workflow File

Workflow files live in .github/workflows/. This sample responds when someone mentions @claude in a comment.

name: Claude Assistant
on:
  issue_comment:
    types: [created]
  pull_request_review_comment:
    types: [created]

jobs:
  claude:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: anthropics/claude-code-action@v1
        with:
          anthropic_api_key: ${{ secrets.ANTHROPIC_API_KEY }}

Check the official action documentation for the current version number and options before you copy this file.

Everyday Uses

Where	What You Write	What Happens
Issue	@claude implement this feature	A pull request with the code
Pull request	@claude review these changes	Review comments on the diff
Pull request	@claude add tests for the new function	New commits with tests
Issue	@claude explain how checkout works	A written explanation

Your Project Rules Still Apply

The action reads your CLAUDE.md file. Coding style, test commands, and warnings carry over from your local sessions. A well-written CLAUDE.md improves results in the cloud as much as it does on your laptop.

Security and Cost Controls

• Store keys as GitHub secrets. Never commit them to the repository.
• Limit who can trigger the action. Open projects need extra care.
• Review every pull request before merging, just as you review human work.
• Grant the smallest set of repository permissions the workflow needs.
• Watch usage. Each run consumes tokens and bills against your account.

A Healthy Team Routine

1. Write small, clear issues with one goal each.
2. Mention @claude in the issue.
3. Read the resulting pull request line by line.
4. Request changes through comments.
5. Merge after tests pass and a human approves.

Writing Good Issues for Claude

Clear issues produce clear pull requests. State the goal, the files involved, and the expected behavior. Add a test command so Claude Code can verify its own work. Avoid mixing three tasks in one issue. A request such as "@claude fix the date format on the invoice page and add a test" gives the assistant a target that a reviewer can check quickly.

Key Points

• GitHub Actions lets Claude Code respond to issues and pull requests.
• The /install-github-app command guides the setup.
• A workflow file and an API key secret power the integration.
• CLAUDE.md rules guide the cloud runs.
• Human review stays essential before any merge.