# github-deep-research

Runs multi-round research on any GitHub repository and writes a structured markdown report with a timeline, metrics and Mermaid diagrams.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 2900 installs · ★ 84435
- Author: bytedance
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/bytedance/deer-flow/tree/HEAD/skills/public/github-deep-research/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-10-25
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/github-deep-research

## What it does

The skill works in four rounds. First it pulls repo data through the GitHub API with `scripts/github_api.py`, then searches for an overview and key terms, digs into architecture and community sentiment, and finishes with commit history, issues and pull requests. The script runs directly, without `read_file()`, and accepts `summary`, `info`, `readme`, `tree`, `languages`, `contributors`, `commits`, `issues`, `prs` and `releases`.

Output lands in `research_{topic}_{YYYYMMDD}.md`, built from `assets/report_template.md`: metadata, executive summary, phased timeline, metrics tables, strengths and weaknesses, sources, and a confidence assessment. Mermaid diagrams cover timelines, architecture and comparisons.

Python is required. Without it `github_api.py` will not run and the first round fails. Every claim from an external source needs an inline `[citation:Title](URL)]` link, and confidence is split into three levels, from official docs down to social media.

## Requirements
- Works with: GitHub

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add bytedance/deer-flow --skill github-deep-research -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/github-deep-research/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/github-deep-research/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add bytedance/deer-flow --skill github-deep-research -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/github-deep-research/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add bytedance/deer-flow --skill github-deep-research -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/github-deep-research/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install bytedance/deer-flow github-deep-research
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/github-deep-research/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add bytedance/deer-flow --skill github-deep-research -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/bytedance/deer-flow --path skills/public/github-deep-research
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/github-deep-research/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add bytedance/deer-flow --skill github-deep-research -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/bytedance/deer-flow/tree/HEAD/skills/public/github-deep-research/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- reconstruct a project timeline from commits and releases
- compare a repository against alternatives
- gauge contributor activity
- map architecture from code and discussions
- produce a report with timeline and diagrams

## Example prompts
- Research https://github.com/bytedance/deer-flow and build a report with a timeline
- Do a deep dive on this GitHub repo and add an architecture diagram
- Compare this repository with alternatives and rate the confidence of your findings

## Source text · SKILL.md · MIT

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BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE a836874838804f96
````text
---
name: github-deep-research
description: Conduct multi-round deep research on any GitHub Repo. Use when users request comprehensive analysis, timeline reconstruction, competitive analysis, or in-depth investigation of GitHub. Produces structured markdown reports with executive summaries, chronological timelines, metrics analysis, and Mermaid diagrams. Triggers on Github repository URL or open source projects.
---

# GitHub Deep Research Skill

Multi-round research combining GitHub API, web_search, web_fetch to produce comprehensive markdown reports.

## Research Workflow

- Round 1: GitHub API
- Round 2: Discovery
- Round 3: Deep Investigation
- Round 4: Deep Dive

## Core Methodology

### Query Strategy

**Broad to Narrow**: Start with GitHub API, then general queries, refine based on findings.

```
Round 1: GitHub API
Round 2: "{topic} overview"
Round 3: "{topic} architecture", "{topic} vs alternatives"
Round 4: "{topic} issues", "{topic} roadmap", "site:github.com {topic}"
```

**Source Prioritization**:
1. Official docs/repos (highest weight)
2. Technical blogs (Medium, Dev.to)
3. News articles (verified outlets)
4. Community discussions (Reddit, HN)
5. Social media (lowest weight, for sentiment)

### Research Rounds

**Round 1 - GitHub API**
Directly execute `scripts/github_api.py` without `read_file()`:
```bash
python /path/to/skill/scripts/github_api.py <owner> <repo> summary
python /path/to/skill/scripts/github_api.py <owner> <repo> readme
python /path/to/skill/scripts/github_api.py <owner> <repo> tree
```

**Available commands (the last argument of `github_api.py`):**
- summary
- info
- readme
- tree
- languages
- contributors
- commits
- issues
- prs
- releases

**Round 2 - Discovery (3-5 web_search)**
- Get overview and identify key terms
- Find official website/repo
- Identify main players/competitors

**Round 3 - Deep Investigation (5-10 web_search + web_fetch)**
- Technical architecture details
- Timeline of key events
- Community sentiment
- Use web_fetch on valuable URLs for full content

**Round 4 - Deep Dive**
- Analyze commit history for timeline
- Review issues/PRs for feature evolution
- Check contributor activity

## Report Structure

Follow template in `assets/report_template.md`:

1. **Metadata Block** - Date, confidence level, subject
2. **Executive Summary** - 2-3 sentence overview with key metrics
3. **Chronological Timeline** - Phased breakdown with dates
4. **Key Analysis Sections** - Topic-specific deep dives
5. **Metrics & Comparisons** - Tables, growth charts
6. **Strengths & Weaknesses** - Balanced assessment
7. **Sources** - Categorized references
````
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