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fix: allow public_repo for public contribution tools - #3140

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SamMorrowDrums merged 3 commits into
github:mainfrom
paulcakeface:fix/public-repo-contribution-scopes
Sep 1, 2026
Merged

fix: allow public_repo for public contribution tools#3140
SamMorrowDrums merged 3 commits into
github:mainfrom
paulcakeface:fix/public-repo-contribution-scopes

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@paulcakeface

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Summary

Allow public-repository contribution tools to work with the narrower public_repo OAuth scope while keeping repo as an accepted parent scope.

Why

Several tools currently require repo in MCP scope metadata even though GitHub permits their public-repository operations with public_repo. That makes public-only deployments request private-repository access unnecessarily.

Fixes #3136

What changed

  • Use scopes.PublicRepo for fork_repository, create_branch, push_files, create_pull_request, issue_write, and add_issue_comment.
  • Add public_repo to the supported OAuth scope catalogue without adding it to the default grant; repo remains the default and an accepted parent scope.
  • Add focused scope-filter regression coverage and update generated documentation.

MCP impact

  • No tool or API changes
  • Tool schema or behavior changed
  • New tool added

Tool inputs and handlers are unchanged. The change affects OAuth scope filtering and advertised scope metadata only.

Prompts tested (tool changes only)

  • "Fork this public repository, create a branch, push the patch, and open a pull request."
  • "Open an issue on this public repository with the reproduction steps."

Security / limits

  • No security or limits impact
  • Auth / permissions considered
  • Data exposure, filtering, or token/size limits considered

This is a least-privilege change: public-only OAuth deployments can use public_repo without gaining private-repository access. Existing repo tokens remain compatible through the existing scope hierarchy.

Tool renaming

  • I am renaming tools as part of this PR (e.g. a part of a consolidation effort)
  • I am not renaming tools as part of this PR

Lint & tests

  • Linted locally with ./script/lint
  • Tested locally with UPDATE_TOOLSNAPS=true go test ./...

Docs

  • Not needed
  • Updated (README / generated docs)

@paulcakeface
paulcakeface requested a review from a team as a code owner August 22, 2026 15:39
paulcakeface and others added 2 commits September 1, 2026 10:13
Co-authored-by: Copilot App <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>
Keep public_repo as a fixed-token visibility capability while requiring repo for per-call OAuth challenges. Challenge only missing scopes for workflow pushes.

Co-authored-by: Copilot App <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>

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@SamMorrowDrums
SamMorrowDrums merged commit 198bc16 into github:main Sep 1, 2026
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Allow public_repo scope for public repository write tools

3 participants