How to use the command 'gh browse' (with examples)

The gh browse command is part of GitHub’s command-line interface (CLI) that allows users to interact with GitHub repositories through the terminal. It is specifically designed to help users quickly navigate to different sections of a GitHub repository via their web browser or print the URL directly to the terminal. This command is particularly useful for developers who spend much of their time in terminal environments and want to minimize context-switching by making quick transitions to their GitHub projects online.

Use case 1: Open the homepage of the current repository in the default web browser

Code:

gh browse

Motivation:

Often, developers need to quickly access the main GitHub page of the repository they are currently working on. Whether it’s to check the README, review recent commits, or explore contributor information, opening the homepage of a repository can be a frequent task during development.

Explanation:

• gh browse: This command without any arguments defaults to opening the homepage of the repository that your terminal session is currently inside, based on the Git configuration and directory.

Example Output:

On executing this command, the default web browser opens, displaying the main page of the current GitHub repository.

Use case 2: Open the homepage of a specific repository in the default web browser

Code:

gh browse owner/repository

Motivation:

Sometimes, it is necessary to access a GitHub repository that is not part of your current local project setup. You might need to review a colleague’s code, check on a project you’re contributing to that isn’t cloned locally, or simply browse an interesting repository.

Explanation:

• owner/repository: Replace ‘owner’ with the username of the repository owner and ‘repository’ with the name of the repository you wish to open. This command specifically targets the repository by owner and name.

Example Output:

Your default web browser opens and navigates to the homepage of the specified GitHub repository.

Use case 3: Open the settings page of the current repository in the default web browser

Code:

gh browse --settings

Motivation:

Accessing the settings page of a repository is essential for changing configurations, managing collaborators, adjusting branch protections, and more. It streamlines the process by taking you directly to the settings page without manually navigating through the GitHub interface.

Explanation:

• –settings: This flag specifically instructs the command to open the settings section of the repository, making it faster for you to reach important configuration options.

Example Output:

The web browser opens directly to the settings page of the GitHub repository associated with your current working directory.

Use case 4: Open the wiki of the current repository in the default web browser

Code:

gh browse --wiki

Motivation:

Repositories often have wikis used to document the project in detail. When you need to refer to or update the documentation frequently, quickly accessing the wiki can save a lot of time.

Explanation:

• –wiki: This flag directs the command to open the wiki section of the repository, providing easy access to all the project’s documentation.

Example Output:

After executing the command, the default web browser navigates to the wiki page of the current repository.

Use case 5: Open a specific issue or pull request in the web browser

Code:

gh browse issue_number|pull_request_number

Motivation:

During development, you may need to examine or review a particular issue or pull request. Being able to open it directly saves time compared to manually searching for it through the GitHub interface.

Explanation:

• issue_number|pull_request_number: Replace ‘issue_number’ or ‘pull_request_number’ with the actual number of the issue or pull request you wish to open. The command will then navigate directly to the specified item.

Example Output:

The web browser opens to the detailed page of the specified issue or pull request.

Use case 6: Open a specific branch in the web browser

Code:

gh browse --branch branch_name

Motivation:

If you’re working with multiple branches and need to check specific commits, files, or changes in a particular branch, quickly accessing it on GitHub can improve workflow efficiency.

Explanation:

• –branch: This option specifies that you want to navigate to a specific branch.
• branch_name: Replace ‘branch_name’ with the name of the branch you intend to open.

Example Output:

The browser takes you directly to the specified branch’s section within the repository’s GitHub page.

Use case 7: Open a specific file or directory of the current repository in the web browser

Code:

gh browse path/to/file_or_directory

Motivation:

When reviewing a complex file or directory structure, it’s convenient to open specific files or directories directly to debug or analyze content without traversing the hierarchy manually on GitHub.

Explanation:

• path/to/file_or_directory: Substitute ‘path/to/file_or_directory’ with the path relative to your repository’s root to point to the file or directory you need to open.

Example Output:

The web browser opens to the exact file or directory location on GitHub.

Use case 8: Print the destination URL without opening the web browser

Code:

gh browse --no-browser

Motivation:

There are times when you might want the URL of a GitHub resource without necessarily opening it. This could be for documentation, sharing purposes, or to use in scripts.

Explanation:

• –no-browser: This flag prevents the browser from opening and instead outputs the URL directly to the terminal.

Example Output:

The terminal displays the URL of the repository or resource specified, without launching any web browser.

Conclusion:

The gh browse command exemplifies the power of GitHub CLI by streamlining access to various sections of a repository directly from the terminal. Whether you’re working with the homepage, settings, wiki, specific issues, or branches, the command offers flexibility and efficiency, enhancing your GitHub workflow significantly.