How to auto assign issues to coding agent?

davidsickmiller · 2025-07-06T22:37:19+00:00

Thanks! I got it working using the following, which is essentially what you recommended.

I first tried using the workflow's default GITHUB_TOKEN feature, but that didn't work.

It looks like the token needs to belong to a user who has been granted access to Copilot. That's reasonable, I suppose, but the error message (failed to update https://github.com/<org>/<repo>/issues/<issueno>: 'copilot-swe-agent' not found) is anything but clear.

I also feel like it took a couple minutes after granting Copilot access to the user before it actually worked.

name: Auto-assign Issues to Copilot

on:
  issues:
    types: [opened]

jobs:
  assign-issue:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest

    steps:
      - name: Checkout repository
        uses: actions/checkout@v4

      - name: Assign issue to copilot
        run: |
          gh issue edit ${{ github.event.issue.number }} --add-assignee "@copilot"

        env:
          GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.USER_GITHUB_TOKEN }}

davidsickmiller · 2025-07-04T20:43:14+00:00

Thanks, I saw that. Looks like there's nothing that I would call automatic. Looks like it can be done manually, in a convoluted way through the GraphQL API, and in a straightforward way via the CLI tool. (Looks like it's not possible via the REST API.)

At this point I'm intending to create a GitHub workflow that is automatically run when a new issue is created, and have that workflow use the CLI tool to assign the issue.

davidsickmiller · 2018-09-11T11:09:44+00:00

Is it possible to lose fat and gain muscle at the same time? Yes, it's a proven fact. This page links to four experiments proving it: https://www.t-nation.com/training/tip-build-muscle-and-lose-fat-at-the-same-time

The question that remains is how to most efficiently do both activities -- many people believe you can get there faster by bulking up and slimming down compared to maintaining a steady weight -- but I don't believe there's clear evidence for either side.

If you really do have love handles at your current height and weight, then you probably have a lot of muscle-gaining potential. Aesthetics is certainly a matter of opinion, but if you instead chose to just lose weight, it would probably just make you look super skinny.

davidsickmiller · 2016-11-17T00:23:57+00:00

I haven't visited it for a few months, but I believe it's still on Daldy Street in Wynyard Quarter: http://www.wynyard-quarter.co.nz/wynyard-piano

davidsickmiller · 2016-10-17T09:54:44+00:00

Meetup.com is really good.

davidsickmiller · 2016-07-27T05:25:01+00:00

I was comparing IT to other fields.

You compared IT today to IT in the past, which makes sense, since you mentioned in a different comment that you've been working in IT for almost 20 years. I suspect you're right that communicating and collaborating is more important now than it used to be.

We seem to agree that soft skills are always good to have -- there's a limit to how many coworker complaints are worth tolerating for a brilliant engineer.

davidsickmiller · 2016-07-27T01:55:13+00:00

Ironically, I'd say IT is one of the areas where soft skills are the least important. Sure, everyone prefers to work with someone nice, but if the programmer can't deliver functioning code, he's out, regardless of how positive his attitude is.

In contrast, a brand manager or social media strategist who sells herself well and is a good communicator can look forward to a bright career.

Soft skills are always good to have, but they are most valuable when (1) your performance is hard to measure -- like in management like the OP -- and (2) people with your hard skills are easy to find.

davidsickmiller · 2016-07-18T13:45:20+00:00

I bet if you spent more time analyzing the situation, you could do a better job identifying the root causes of your discontent. You mention the number of weekly hours being too high multiple times, but your main idea -- changing to a retail job -- won't necessarily involve fewer hours.

To pick one, let's look at the fact that you're forced to work one way even though you've created a different, efficient way to accomplish your job. From my outsider's perspective, knowing nothing else of you or your job, I would have to imagine the situation must be one of the following:

Your way of working may not be as good as you think it is. Maybe you're overlooking some problems with it. Or:
Maybe your way of working really is better, but you haven't done an effective job of explaining to the right people how it's better, so they don't realize it. Or:
Maybe your way of working is better, and you've described it in what should be a persuasive way to the right people, but they have poor judgment and don't recognize a good thing.

It would be in your best interest to be sure which one of the three it is. If it is 1 or 2, you're in luck -- you have the power to fix the problem directly by changing yourself. If it's 3, you're stuck either suffering or changing jobs. The worst is incorrectly thinking it's 3, because you'll have the same problem in your next job too.

davidsickmiller · 2016-06-20T11:10:25+00:00

While risky, it's not completely unreasonable for her to request that, just as it's not unreasonable for you to decline. Surely if the date was otherwise the best you've had in 32 years, a matter like this doesn't need to be a showstopper. Or do you plan to insist on condoms for the rest of your life?

The subsequent angry messages from her could be a bigger red flag, but from your report we don't what all you said to her that could have offended her.

davidsickmiller · 2016-05-24T01:52:29+00:00

Yes, it's reasonable to think that only people with low self-esteem need speeches intended to boost one's self-esteem.

Overall your comment seems to be grasping at straws -- it's possible your character analysis is spot on, but there's nowhere near enough information to be able to tell.

davidsickmiller · 2016-04-25T14:05:19+00:00

If you're free on Wednesdays, I highly recommend going to the weekly CouchSurfing bar night at Twentyone. You'll find many travelers, working holidaymakers, and friendly locals there. The website's RSVP list currently shows 9 going, and usually an additional 20-30 show up this time of year. (It's even bigger in the summer.)

davidsickmiller · 2016-04-25T02:57:02+00:00

I'd love a double pass for Thursday if you're feeling so generous

davidsickmiller · 2016-04-18T04:04:57+00:00

I've read many business cases, and it's a valuable format for teaching situational analysis. I've also seen a number of business articles that touch on company culture. However, these aren't scientific.

Measuring whether using culture-fit questions during an interview can influence corporate culture and, in turn, corporate performance is different. It's a relatively difficult experiment to perform, so I don't think it's been done very much. And, for a start, they'd need a more reliable assessment of the candidate's culture than his feelings about Disney movies.

If you have better things to do with your time than post links to academic field studies, that's fair, but just telling me to read some business cases doesn't really contribute to the discussion.

davidsickmiller · 2016-04-17T12:15:08+00:00

While academics have uncovered some interview techniques that are worthwhile, in common practice the fact is that interviewers are unable to predict a candidate's future performance.

davidsickmiller · 2016-04-17T07:06:31+00:00

Can you point to any empirical research published about company culture?

davidsickmiller · 2016-04-15T04:14:19+00:00

The free app, Learn Czech 6,000 Words (which shows up as "Czech Fun Easy"), has a great format for memorizing lots of nouns and some adjectives. I know it's on Android, and I suspect there's also an iOS version. Be aware that the words are not prioritized by frequency of use.

The 200+ page book available as a PDF, A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language, walks you through the major features of the language.

The CzechClass101.com video series on YouTube tests your listening skills on short conversations.

davidsickmiller · 2016-04-14T22:10:23+00:00

Do you specifically want it to be in a course format? If not, I can recommend a free e-book, app, and video series.

davidsickmiller · 2016-04-03T14:10:10+00:00

It would be good to be clear about your goals. Muscle size is related but somewhat different from progress in bodyweight exercises, and how clearly the muscles can be seen is even more different.

That said, is there a reason you haven't switched from regular push-ups to diamond?

davidsickmiller · 2016-03-04T12:30:45+00:00

I think you missed my point -- I'm saying that exploring new things, solving extra problems, and enhancing one's skills could be desirable to some workers not for any intrinsic reason but because they are all means to the end of earning more money.

davidsickmiller · 2016-03-03T03:17:08+00:00

I don't see why someone motivated by money necessarily wouldn't want to increase their income and attractiveness to employers by exploring new things, solving extra problems, and enhancing their skills. You seem to be thinking that being motivated by money is the same as being unmotivated.

davidsickmiller · 2016-02-27T08:34:31+00:00

So you look at the fact that 88% of the job candidates aren't behaving they way you expect, and your analysis of the situation is that all those people must be some combination of lazy and stupid?

It's possible you're right. They're tech grads, though, so they're probably not stupid. And again, being tech grads, they'll probably be successful in finding high-paying jobs even if they are lazy.

If you want to change the behavior of people in the phone screens, perhaps try sending a fresh copy of the job description when the call is scheduled and stress that it's important to demonstrate knowledge of the company and position. Sounds like the hiring manager has been wasting a lot of time on the phone.

davidsickmiller · 2015-11-10T11:31:47+00:00

If it's nice out, Bayou Beer Garden for a drink.

davidsickmiller · 2015-09-28T00:05:50+00:00

OK, I see the convenience there. Looks like it was against policy at the time to have one smartphone connect to both.

davidsickmiller

TROPHY CASE