Issue Details
Description
Enable contributors/mentors to assign an issue by posting a comment in the issue thread using a command like:
/assign @username
(optional) /assign @username @another-username or /assign @username depending on desired behavior
A bot/workflow listens to new issue comments, parses /assign, and assigns the mentioned GitHub user(s) to the issue.
Why needed
Reduces maintainer overhead by removing manual “Add assignee” actions.
Speeds up triage and ownership clarity (who is working on what).
Keeps decision context in the issue conversation (assignment reason stays attached to the comment).
Works well in async collaboration where assigners and implementers are different people.
Proposed solution
Add a GitHub Action workflow that triggers on:
issue_comment event for newly created comments.
Workflow logic:
Read comment body.
If it starts with /assign, extract usernames from the comment (GitHub mentions).
Call GitHub API: issues.addAssignees for the issue number.
Optionally:
Post a confirmation comment like “Assigned to @user(s)”.
Validate permissions (only allow users with write/admin or repo collaborators).
Add error handling for missing mentions or invalid command format.
Issue Details
Description
Enable contributors/mentors to assign an issue by posting a comment in the issue thread using a command like:
/assign @username
(optional) /assign @username @another-username or /assign @username depending on desired behavior
A bot/workflow listens to new issue comments, parses /assign, and assigns the mentioned GitHub user(s) to the issue.
Why needed
Reduces maintainer overhead by removing manual “Add assignee” actions.
Speeds up triage and ownership clarity (who is working on what).
Keeps decision context in the issue conversation (assignment reason stays attached to the comment).
Works well in async collaboration where assigners and implementers are different people.
Proposed solution
Add a GitHub Action workflow that triggers on:
issue_comment event for newly created comments.
Workflow logic:
Read comment body.
If it starts with /assign, extract usernames from the comment (GitHub mentions).
Call GitHub API: issues.addAssignees for the issue number.
Optionally:
Post a confirmation comment like “Assigned to @user(s)”.
Validate permissions (only allow users with write/admin or repo collaborators).
Add error handling for missing mentions or invalid command format.