Claude Code GitHub Actions: Revolutionary AI-Driven Code Automation Tool¶

What You Can Achieve¶

📖 Overview¶

Claude Code GitHub Actions is an AI-driven development automation tool provided by Anthropic. Simply mention @claude in GitHub Pull Requests or Issues, and Claude will automatically execute code reviews, feature implementations, and bug fixes.

Currently available as a beta version in 2025, it's gaining attention as a revolutionary tool that can significantly streamline traditional manual code reviews and task implementations.

Important Limitations: - Cannot submit formal PR reviews - Cannot approve PRs
- Limited to one comment per interaction

Key Features¶

1. PR・Issue Integration¶

• Comment Integration: Instantly call AI assistant with @claude mentions
• Automatic PR Creation: Generate complete Pull Requests from requirement descriptions
• Real-time Interaction: Direct communication with Claude in comment sections

2. Code Review Capabilities¶

• Change Analysis: Cross-file analysis of all PR modifications
• Improvement Suggestions: Specific advice for code quality enhancement
• Bug Detection: Identify potential issues and security risks

3. Automatic Implementation¶

• Feature Addition: Auto-generate implementation code from new feature requirements
• Bug Fixes: Propose appropriate fix code from error descriptions
• Test Generation: Automatically create test code matching implementations

Basic Workflow¶

graph LR
    A[Issue/PR Comment] --> B[@claude trigger]
    B --> C[GitHub Action]
    C --> D[Claude Code]
    D --> E[Code Analysis]
    E --> F[Implementation]
    F --> G[PR Creation]
    G --> H[Review & Merge]

🔧 Setup Instructions¶

Prerequisites¶

• Repository administrator privileges
• Anthropic API key or OAuth token
• Repository with GitHub Actions enabled

1. Quick Setup (Recommended)¶

If using Claude Code in terminal:

# Execute in Claude Code terminal
/install-github-app

This command automates GitHub App installation and necessary secret configuration.

Note: This command is only available for direct Anthropic API users.

2. Manual Setup¶

Step 1: GitHub App Installation¶

# Install Claude GitHub App from the following URL
https://github.com/apps/claude

Step 2: Repository Secret Configuration¶

Add the following in GitHub repository Settings > Secrets:

# For Anthropic API usage
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY: your_api_key_here

# For OAuth authentication
CLAUDE_CODE_OAUTH_TOKEN: your_oauth_token_here

Step 3: Workflow File Creation¶

Create .github/workflows/claude.yml:

name: Claude Code Action
on:
  issue_comment:
    types: [created]
  pull_request_review_comment:
    types: [created]
  issues:
    types: [opened, edited]
  pull_request_review:
    types: [submitted]

jobs:
  claude:
    if: contains(github.event.comment.body, '@claude') || contains(github.event.issue.body, '@claude') || contains(github.event.pull_request.body, '@claude') || contains(github.event.review.body, '@claude')
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: anthropics/claude-code-action@beta
        with:
          anthropic_api_key: ${{ secrets.ANTHROPIC_API_KEY }}
          github_token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
          # Optional settings
          # trigger_phrase: "@claude"  # Default value
          # additional_permissions: true  # Allow GitHub Actions access

3. Authentication Options¶

Claude Code GitHub Actions supports multiple authentication methods:

• Anthropic Direct API: Direct API key usage
• Amazon Bedrock: Via AWS OIDC authentication
• Google Vertex AI: Via Workload Identity Federation

In enterprise environments, you can use your own cloud infrastructure to control data management and billing.

4. Advanced Configuration Options¶

- uses: anthropics/claude-code-action@beta
  with:
    anthropic_api_key: ${{ secrets.ANTHROPIC_API_KEY }}
    github_token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
    trigger_phrase: "@claude"  # Customize trigger phrase
    direct_prompt: "Fix all linting errors"  # For automated workflows
    additional_permissions: true  # Allow GitHub Actions access
    allowed_tools: "edit,create"  # Restrict available tools

5. CLAUDE.md Configuration File¶

Create CLAUDE.md in project root to set project-specific guidelines:

# Project Configuration

## Coding Standards
- Use TypeScript strict mode
- Follow ESLint + Prettier settings
- Prefer async/await over Promise chains

## Review Criteria
- Security checks mandatory
- Performance impact evaluation
- Maintain 80%+ test coverage

## Prohibited Items
- console.log in production code
- Hardcoded API keys
- Omitting async error handling

💡 Practical Usage Examples¶

Code Review Request¶

@claude Please review the security aspects of this PR.
Specifically check for SQL injection vulnerabilities.

Feature Implementation Request¶

@claude Please implement user authentication endpoints.
JWT token-based with login, logout, and refresh functionality needed.

Bug Fix Request¶

@claude Please fix this TypeError:
TypeError: Cannot read property 'length' of undefined at line 45

Test Generation Request¶

@claude Please create test cases for the newly added API endpoints.
Need coverage for both normal and error scenarios.

🔄 Workflow Examples¶

1. Developer Creates Issue¶

# Issue: Add User Management Feature

@claude Please implement the following features:
- User registration, editing, deletion functionality
- Permission management (admin, user)
- API endpoint design

2. Claude Auto-Response & Implementation¶

• Requirement analysis and architecture design proposal
• Automatic implementation code generation
• Complete Pull Request creation
• Simultaneous test code generation

3. Developer Review & Feedback¶

# PR Comment
@claude Please add login attempt rate limiting.
Need account lockout after 5 failed attempts.

4. Claude Additional Implementation¶

• Feature addition based on feedback
• Security enhancement implementation
• Related test updates

📊 Pros & Cons Comparison¶

✅ Advantages¶

❌ Disadvantages & Limitations¶

🔐 Security & Best Practices¶

Security Considerations¶

• Data Protection: Code processed on GitHub runners, no external leakage
• Permission Management: Configure GitHub App with minimal necessary permissions
• API Key Management: Secure management through repository secrets

Best Practices¶

1. Gradual Adoption: Trial with small projects before full deployment
2. CLAUDE.md Utilization: Document project-specific rules clearly
3. Human Review: Always have humans perform final checks on AI suggestions
4. Backup: Set branch protection before important changes

🔗 Related Resources¶

Official Documentation¶

• Claude Code GitHub Actions - Anthropic
• Claude GitHub App

Implementation Examples & Blog Posts¶

• Integrating Claude Code with GitHub Actions
• Mastering Claude Code GitHub Actions

Related Articles¶

• Claude Code Best Practices Guide
• AI Development Tools Comparison
• Claude Code Hooks Advanced Guide