Create repo

Skill: Create Repository & Scaffold Project

Overview

This skill creates a new GitHub repo, scaffolds initial project files based on the user's description, pushes everything, and provides the user with next steps. All operations use the GITHUB_PAT environment variable for authentication.

Prerequisites

• GITHUB_PAT environment variable must be set (validated by SessionStart hook)
• GITHUB_USER environment variable is set by the SessionStart hook
• Network access must be "Full internet" in the Claude Code Web environment

Procedure

1. Parse the User's Request

Extract:

• Project name → sanitize to a valid GitHub repo name (lowercase, hyphens, no spaces)
• Language / framework → determines scaffold template
• Description → one-line for the GitHub repo description
• Visibility → default to private unless user says otherwise

2. Check if Repo Already Exists

HTTP_CODE=$(curl -s -o /dev/null -w "%{http_code}" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $GITHUB_PAT" \
  -H "Accept: application/vnd.github+json" \
  "https://api.github.com/repos/$GITHUB_USER/<repo-name>")

if [ "$HTTP_CODE" = "200" ]; then
  echo "Repository already exists!"
fi

3. Create the Repository

Option A: Bare repo with auto_init

curl -sf -X POST \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $GITHUB_PAT" \
  -H "Accept: application/vnd.github+json" \
  https://api.github.com/user/repos \
  -d '{
    "name": "<repo-name>",
    "description": "<description>",
    "private": true,
    "auto_init": true
  }'

Option B: From a template repo (if templates exist)

curl -sf -X POST \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $GITHUB_PAT" \
  -H "Accept: application/vnd.github+json" \
  "https://api.github.com/repos/$GITHUB_USER/<template-repo>/generate" \
  -d '{
    "owner": "'$GITHUB_USER'",
    "name": "<repo-name>",
    "description": "<description>",
    "private": true
  }'

4. Wait for Repo Initialization

GitHub needs a moment after creation. Poll until the repo has at least one commit:

for i in $(seq 1 10); do
  COMMIT_COUNT=$(curl -sf \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer $GITHUB_PAT" \
    -H "Accept: application/vnd.github+json" \
    "https://api.github.com/repos/$GITHUB_USER/<repo-name>/commits?per_page=1" \
    | jq 'length')
  if [ "$COMMIT_COUNT" -gt 0 ]; then
    break
  fi
  sleep 2
done

5. Clone with PAT Auth

CRITICAL: Use PAT in the HTTPS URL. This bypasses the sandbox's scoped git proxy and authenticates directly.

cd /tmp
git clone "https://[email protected]/$GITHUB_USER/<repo-name>.git"
cd <repo-name>
git config user.name "Claude"
git config user.email "[email protected]"

6. Scaffold the Project

Generate project files based on the user's description. Common scaffolds:

For any project — always create:

• README.md — project name, description, setup instructions
• .gitignore — language-appropriate
• CLAUDE.md — coding standards, build commands, architecture notes

Language-specific scaffolding:

Use your knowledge to create appropriate project structure. Some examples:

• Swift/iOS: Xcode project structure, Package.swift for SPM, or basic source layout
• TypeScript/Node: package.json, tsconfig.json, src/index.ts
• Ruby: Gemfile, lib/ directory, .ruby-version
• C/C++: CMakeLists.txt or Makefile, src/, include/
• React/Web: Vite or Next.js scaffold
• Python: pyproject.toml, src/ package, requirements.txt

7. Commit and Push

git add -A
git commit -m "Initial scaffold: <short description>"
git push "https://[email protected]/$GITHUB_USER/<repo-name>.git" main

8. Clean Up

Remove the cloned directory to avoid leaking the PAT (it's in .git/config):

cd /
rm -rf "/tmp/<repo-name>"

9. Report to User

Provide:

✅ Repository created: https://github.com/<user>/<repo-name>

📁 Scaffolded files:
  - README.md
  - CLAUDE.md
  - .gitignore
  - <list other files>

🚀 Next steps:
  1. Open Claude Code: https://claude.ai/code
  2. Select repository: <repo-name>
  3. Describe what you want to build — Claude will have the scaffold ready

💡 Or continue here if you want me to add more files before you switch.

Error Handling

• PAT invalid/expired: Tell user to update GITHUB_PAT in their environment settings
• Repo name taken: Suggest alternatives (append -2, date suffix, etc.)
• Network unreachable: Verify environment is set to "Full internet access"
• Push rejected: Check if repo was actually initialized (needs at least one commit)

Security Notes

• Never echo $GITHUB_PAT or write it to committed files
• The PAT appears in .git/config of the cloned repo — always rm -rf after push
• Never commit .git/config or any file containing the PAT
• The PAT is scoped to the user's GitHub account — treat it like a password