Auto-Remove 'Unapproved' Label On User Assignment

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Hey guys! So, let's dive into how we can automatically remove the "unapproved" label from an issue when a user gets assigned to it. This is super useful for streamlining your workflow and making sure things move smoothly. Here’s the lowdown:

Understanding the Problem

So, imagine this: an issue pops up, and it automatically gets slapped with an "unapproved" label. This could mean it needs review or is just waiting for someone to take charge. Now, when a user is assigned to this issue, we want that "unapproved" label to vanish automatically. Why? Because the assignment signifies that someone is now actively working on it, and it's no longer just sitting there, unapproved.

Why Automate This?

Automating this process saves time and reduces manual steps. It also ensures consistency. Without automation, you'd need to manually remove the label each time someone is assigned, which is tedious and prone to human error. Automation ensures that every single time a user gets assigned, that label is automatically removed.

Benefits of Automated Label Removal

  • Efficiency: Frees up time for more important tasks.
  • Consistency: Ensures the label is always removed upon assignment.
  • Reduced Errors: Minimizes the chance of human error in the workflow.
  • Improved Workflow: Streamlines the process from issue creation to assignment.

Steps to Reproduce (for the Action Test)

Okay, let’s get our hands dirty and walk through the steps to reproduce this scenario and test our automation. This is where we make sure everything works as expected.

1. Create the Issue

First up, we need to create the issue itself. This is our starting point. Just create a new issue in your repository as you normally would. Nothing fancy here!

2. Manually Add the "unapproved" Label

Once the issue is created, manually add the "unapproved" label to it. This simulates the initial state where the issue requires attention or approval. You can usually do this in the issue's edit section, where you can add or remove labels.

3. Assign a User to the Issue

Now, assign yourself (or another user) to the issue. This is the trigger for our automation. When the system detects this "assigned" event, it should kick off the process of removing the "unapproved" label. Go to the assignees section and choose a user.

4. Observe the Magic

At this point, the workflow should spring into action. It detects the "assigned" event and automatically removes the "unapproved" label. You might need to give it a few seconds to run, depending on your setup.

Expected Outcome

The ultimate goal? The "unapproved" label should vanish without you having to lift a finger after assigning the user. If it does, then boom, our automation is working perfectly!

Diving Deeper: Setting Up the Automation

So, how do we actually make this happen? Well, typically, you’d use a workflow automation tool like GitHub Actions. Let’s break down how to set that up.

Using GitHub Actions

GitHub Actions allows you to automate tasks directly within your GitHub repository. You define these automations in YAML files, which specify the events that trigger the workflow and the actions to be performed.

1. Create a Workflow File

First, you'll need to create a new workflow file in your repository. This file should be located in the .github/workflows directory. You can name it something descriptive, like remove-unapproved-label.yml.

2. Define the Trigger Event

In the YAML file, you need to define the event that triggers the workflow. In our case, it’s the assigned event on an issue. Here’s how you can define it:

on:
 issues:
 types: [assigned]

This tells GitHub Actions to run the workflow whenever an issue is assigned to someone.

3. Add the Jobs

Next, you need to define the jobs that the workflow will execute. A job is a set of steps that run on a virtual machine. For our purpose, we need a job that removes the "unapproved" label.

jobs:
 remove-label:
 runs-on: ubuntu-latest
 steps:
 - name: Remove unapproved label
 uses: actions/github-script@v7
 with:
 script: |
 github.rest.issues.removeLabel({
 issue_number: context.issue.number,
 owner: context.repo.owner,
 repo: context.repo.repo,
 name: 'unapproved'
 })

Let's break this down:

  • runs-on: ubuntu-latest: Specifies that the job should run on an Ubuntu virtual machine.
  • steps: Defines the steps to be executed.
  • uses: actions/github-script@v7: Uses the github-script action, which allows us to run JavaScript code that interacts with the GitHub API.
  • script: Contains the JavaScript code to remove the "unapproved" label. It uses the github.rest.issues.removeLabel method to remove the label from the issue. The context object provides information about the event and the repository.

4. Commit and Push

Save the YAML file, commit it to your repository, and push it to GitHub. GitHub Actions will automatically detect the new workflow and start running it whenever an issue is assigned.

Testing the Workflow

Now that we have set up the workflow, it’s time to test it and make sure it works as expected.

1. Create a New Issue

Create a new issue in your repository.

2. Add the "unapproved" Label

Manually add the "unapproved" label to the issue.

3. Assign Yourself

Assign yourself (or another user) to the issue.

4. Verify the Outcome

Wait for a few seconds and then refresh the issue page. You should see that the "unapproved" label has been automatically removed. If it has, then congratulations! Your workflow is working perfectly.

Troubleshooting

Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. Here are some common issues and how to troubleshoot them.

Workflow Not Triggering

If the workflow is not triggering when you assign a user, make sure that the on event is correctly defined in the YAML file. Double-check the syntax and ensure that the event type is assigned.

Label Not Being Removed

If the workflow is triggering but the label is not being removed, check the JavaScript code in the script section. Make sure that the issue_number, owner, and repo values are correct. Also, verify that the label name is exactly "unapproved".

Permissions Issues

Sometimes, the workflow may not have the necessary permissions to remove the label. Make sure that the workflow has write access to the repository. You can configure this in the repository settings.

Conclusion

Automating the removal of the "unapproved" label when a user is assigned to an issue is a simple but powerful way to streamline your workflow. By using GitHub Actions, you can automate this task and ensure that your issues are always up-to-date. This not only saves time but also reduces the risk of human error. So, go ahead and give it a try! You’ll be amazed at how much smoother your issue management becomes.

Remember, this is just one example of how you can use automation to improve your workflow. There are countless other tasks that can be automated, so don’t be afraid to experiment and see what works best for you.

Happy automating, folks! And may your workflows always run smoothly!