GitHub Search
Quick Commands
| Goal | Command |
|------|---------|
| Search repos | gh search repos "<query>" --limit 30 |
| Search code | gh search code "<query>" --limit 30 |
| Search issues | gh search issues "<query>" --limit 30 |
| Search PRs | gh search prs "<query>" --limit 30 |
Direct API Search (Web-Exact Results)
For complex queries where gh search repos gives different results than web:
# Template - URL-encodes query automatically
gh api "search/repositories?q=$(printf '%s' 'YOUR_QUERY_HERE' | jq -sRr @uri)&sort=updated&per_page=30" --jq '.items[].full_name'
Example - Multi-language with exclusions:
gh api "search/repositories?q=$(printf '%s' 'stars:>500 language:rust language:go language:TypeScript language:javascript -topic:ethereum -topic:cryptocurrency -topic:blockchain -topic:bitcoin -topic:web3' | jq -sRr @uri)&sort=updated&per_page=10" --jq '.items[].full_name'
Why use this?
gh search reposis a convenience wrapper with its own query parsinggh api search/repositorieshits the raw API, matching web behavior exactly- Required when combining: multiple languages + topic exclusions + star filters
Common jq extractions:
| Output | jq filter |
|--------|-----------|
| Names only | --jq '.items[].name' |
| Full names | --jq '.items[].full_name' |
| With stars | --jq '.items[] \| "\(.full_name) ⭐\(.stargazers_count)"' |
| URLs | --jq '.items[].html_url' |
| Full JSON | (omit --jq) |
Patterns
Finding Repositories
When you see: User wants to find projects/repos by criteria
Use: gh search repos
# Basic search with stars
gh search repos "stars:>500 language:rust" --sort=stars --limit=50
# Multiple languages (OR logic)
gh search repos "language:rust language:go language:typescript"
# Exclude topics
gh search repos "stars:>1000 -topic:cryptocurrency -topic:blockchain"
# By topic
gh search repos "topic:cli topic:terminal stars:>100"
# Recently updated
gh search repos "language:python pushed:>2024-01-01"
Output formats:
--json name,url,description,stargazersCount # JSON output
--web # Open in browser
Finding Code Examples
When you see: User wants to know how to use a library
Use: gh search code
# Find usage patterns
gh search code "from zod import" --limit=20
gh search code "import { z } from 'zod'" --limit=20
# In specific file types
gh search code "useQuery" extension:tsx --limit=30
# In specific paths
gh search code "tanstack/query" path:src/ extension:ts
# Exact phrase
gh search code '"createTRPCRouter"' extension:ts
Pro tip: Combine with repo filter for focused results:
gh search code "pattern" repo:owner/repo
Finding Issues/Discussions
When you see: User looking for bug reports, feature requests, or discussions
Use: gh search issues or gh search prs
# Open issues with label
gh search issues "is:open label:bug repo:facebook/react"
# PRs by author
gh search prs "author:username is:merged"
# Issues mentioning error
gh search issues '"connection refused" language:go'
Query Qualifiers Reference
Repo Search
| Qualifier | Example | Description |
|-----------|---------|-------------|
| stars: | stars:>1000, stars:100..500 | Star count |
| forks: | forks:>100 | Fork count |
| language: | language:rust | Primary language |
| topic: | topic:cli | Repository topic |
| -topic: | -topic:blockchain | Exclude topic |
| pushed: | pushed:>2024-01-01 | Last push date |
| created: | created:>2023-01-01 | Creation date |
| license: | license:mit | License type |
| archived: | archived:false | Archive status |
| is: | is:public, is:private | Visibility |
Code Search
| Qualifier | Example | Description |
|-----------|---------|-------------|
| extension: | extension:ts | File extension |
| path: | path:src/ | File path |
| repo: | repo:owner/name | Specific repo |
| language: | language:javascript | Code language |
| filename: | filename:package.json | File name |
Common Flags
| Flag | Description |
|------|-------------|
| --limit N | Number of results (max 1000) |
| --sort X | Sort by: stars, forks, updated, best-match |
| --order X | asc or desc |
| --json FIELDS | JSON output with specific fields |
| --web | Open results in browser |
Common Use Cases
"Find popular X repos"
gh search repos "language:X stars:>500" --sort=stars --limit=50
"How do people use library Y"
gh search code "import Y" extension:ts --limit=30
gh search code "from Y import" extension:py --limit=30
"Find repos like Z but exclude crypto"
gh search repos "topic:Z -topic:cryptocurrency -topic:blockchain -topic:web3"
"Find recent active projects"
gh search repos "language:go pushed:>2024-06-01 stars:>100" --sort=updated
Tips
- Quote the query when it contains special chars:
gh search repos "stars:>500" - Multiple languages = OR:
language:rust language:gomatches either - Use
--jsonfor scripting:--json name,url,stargazersCount - Date ranges:
pushed:2024-01-01..2024-06-01 - Numeric ranges:
stars:100..500 - Use
gh apifor complex queries: Whengh search reposgives unexpected results, usegh api search/repositories?q=...for exact web parity