About Probot
Probot is a framework for building GitHub Apps. It handles webhooks and GitHub API access, so you can focus on the automation logic.
What it does
A Probot app listens for events from a repository, such as an issue being opened or a pull request changing. The app then uses an authenticated client to read data or write comments. Permissions are set per app, so each one can only reach the data it needs. The project also hosts a set of ready-made apps for common chores.
Key features
- Listens to GitHub webhook events
- Authenticated GitHub API client
- Fine-grained permissions for each app
- Ready-made apps for pull requests and releases
- Written with modern JavaScript
Who it's for
Probot suits developers who want to automate a GitHub workflow, such as triage, labels or release notes. It is also a fit for teams that want a small custom bot without building the GitHub connection from scratch.
Pricing and good to know
The framework and the listed apps are open source. The site says they are free to use on any project. The code is ISC licensed and the docs are CC-BY-4.0. Apps run on your own server or a hosting service, so you are responsible for hosting, secrets and updates.
Highlights
- Receives GitHub webhook events
- Calls the GitHub API with an authenticated client
- Sets permissions for each app
- Includes ready-made apps for pull requests and releases
