LabelOps

LabelOps uses GitHub labels as workflow triggers, metadata, and state markers. GitHub Agentic Workflows supports label-based triggers with filtering to activate workflows only for specific label changes while maintaining secure, automated responses.

When to Use LabelOps

Use LabelOps for priority-based workflows (run checks when priority: high is added), stage transitions (trigger actions when moving between workflow states), specialized processing (different workflows for different label categories), and team coordination (automate handoffs between teams using labels).

Label Filtering

GitHub Agentic Workflows allows you to filter labeled and unlabeled events to trigger only for specific label names using the names field:

---
on:
  issues:
    types: [labeled]
    names: [bug, critical, security]
permissions:
  contents: read
  actions: read
safe-outputs:
  add-comment:
    max: 1
---

# Critical Issue Handler

When a critical label is added to an issue, analyze the severity and provide immediate triage guidance.

Check the issue for:
- Impact scope and affected users
- Reproduction steps
- Related dependencies or systems
- Recommended priority level

Respond with a comment outlining next steps and recommended actions.

This workflow activates only when the bug, critical, or security labels are added to an issue, not for other label changes.

Label Filter Syntax

The names field accepts a single label (names: urgent) or an array (names: [priority, needs-review, blocked]). It works with both issues and pull_request events, and the field is compiled into a conditional if expression in the final workflow YAML.

Common LabelOps Patterns

Priority Escalation: Trigger workflows when high-priority labels (P0, critical, urgent) are added. The AI analyzes severity, notifies team leads, and provides escalation guidance with SLA compliance requirements.

Label-Based Triage: Respond to triage label changes (needs-triage, triaged) by analyzing issues and suggesting appropriate categorization, priority levels, affected components, and whether more information is needed.

Security Automation: When security labels are applied, automatically check for sensitive information disclosure, trigger security review processes, and ensure compliance with responsible disclosure policies.

Release Management: Track release-blocking issues by analyzing timeline impact, identifying blockers, generating release note content, and assessing testing requirements when release labels are applied.

AI-Powered LabelOps

Automatic Label Suggestions: AI analyzes new issues to suggest and apply appropriate labels for issue type, priority level, affected components, and special categories. Configure allowed labels in safe-outputs to control which labels can be automatically applied.

Component-Based Auto-Labeling: Automatically identify affected components by analyzing file paths, features, API endpoints, and UI elements mentioned in issues, then apply relevant component labels.

Label Consolidation: Schedule periodic label audits to identify duplicates, unused labels, inconsistent naming, and consolidation opportunities. AI analyzes label usage patterns and creates recommendations for cleanup and standardization.

Best Practices

Use specific label names in filters to avoid unwanted triggers (prefer ready-for-review over generic ready). Combine with safe outputs to maintain security while automating label-based workflows. Document label meanings in a LABELS.md file or use GitHub label descriptions. Limit automation scope by filtering for explicit labels like automation-enabled.

Address label explosion with AI-powered periodic audits for consolidation. Prevent ambiguous labels through AI suggestions and clear descriptions. Reduce manual upkeep by implementing AI-powered automatic labeling on issue creation and updates.

Additional Resources

• Trigger Events - Complete trigger configuration including label filtering
• IssueOps Guide - Learn about issue-triggered workflows
• Safe Outputs Reference - Secure output handling
• Frontmatter Reference - Complete workflow configuration options