How to keep a pre-configured repository synced with the template?

[kaihendry]

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Hi there, how should a repository generated from a template keep upto date with an evolving template?

For example for my own testing, I generated https://github.com/kaihendry/canonical-instance but kaihendry/canonical@3b569dc now has a tiny change and now the generated repository is not aligned.

Furthermore how do I know the repositories generated from https://github.com/kaihendry/canonical ?

[queenofcorgis]

Hi @kaihendry,

GitHub templates are designed for one-time scaffolding. After generating a repo from a template, there’s no built-in sync mechanism, but you have a few different options to explore:

• Manually updating by comparing the template
• Upstream Syncing with Git Remotes if the template is a Git repository
• GitHub Actions, automate syncing by setting up workflows that regularly check for updates in the template and open pull requests with changes.
• Forking, as there is a built in sync feature to this function
• I'd also explore open source tools that achieve this goal

Let us know what you end up deciding!

[kaihendry]

Thanks! RE "GitHub Actions, automate syncing by setting up workflows that regularly check for updates in the template and open pull requests with changes." Do you have an example of this please?

[queenofcorgis]

To answer your second question: unless the template or users document this, there’s no automatic way to get a full list.

You may be able to find out some through our search/advanced search functionality or by asking those that generate to update a list in your project.

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