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Using the GraphQL API for Discussions

Learn how to use the GitHub Discussions GraphQL API.

The GitHub Discussions GraphQL API allows you to get, create, edit, and delete discussion posts. For more information about GitHub Discussions, see "About discussions."

This API is available for authenticated users, OAuth apps, and GitHub Apps. Access tokens require the repo scope for private repositories and the public_repo scope for public repositories. For more information, see "Scopes for OAuth apps."

Fields

Repository.discussions

List the discussions within a repository. If categoryId is specified, only results within that category will be returned. If answered is not specified, both answered and unanswered discussions will be returned.

Signature:

discussions(
  after: String,
  before: String,
  first: Int,
  last: Int,
  categoryId: ID = null,
  answered: Boolean = null,
  orderBy: DiscussionOrder = {field: UPDATED_AT, direction: DESC}
) : Discussion

DiscussionOrder

"""
Ways in which discussions can be ordered.
"""
input DiscussionOrder {
  """
  The field by which to order discussions.
  """
  field: DiscussionOrderField!

  """
  The direction in which to order discussions by the specified field.
  """
  direction: OrderDirection!
}
"""
Properties by which discussion connections can be ordered.
"""
enum DiscussionOrderField {
  """
  Order discussions by creation time.
  """
  CREATED_AT

  """
  Order discussions by most recent modification time.
  """
  UPDATED_AT
}

Repository.discussionCategories

Return the available discussion categories defined within this repository. Each repository may have up to 25 categories. For more information about discussion categories, see "About discussions."

Signature:

discussionCategories(
  after: String,
  before: String,
  first: Int,
  last: Int,
) : DiscussionCategoryConnection!

Repository.discussion

Get a discussion. Returns null if discussion with the specified ID does not exist.

Signature:

discussion(number: Int!) : Discussion

Repository.pinnedDiscussions

Return discussions pinned to this repository, ordered by pin position.

Signature:

pinnedDiscussions(
  after: String,
  before: String,
  first: Int,
  last: Int,
) : PinnedDiscussionConnection!

Objects

Note: For brevity, connection types are not expanded here. Each connection type mentioned in the schema follows the same pattern as other connections in the GraphQL API. For more information, see "Introduction to GraphQL."

query {
  repository(owner: "github", name: "some-repo") {
    discussions(first: 10) {
      # type: DiscussionConnection
      totalCount # Int!

      pageInfo {
        # type: PageInfo (from the public schema)
        startCursor
        endCursor
        hasNextPage
        hasPreviousPage
      }

      edges {
        # type: DiscussionEdge
        cursor
        node {
          # type: Discussion
          id
        }
      }

      nodes {
        # type: Discussion
        id
      }
    }
  }
}

Discussion

Fields:
"""
A discussion in a repository.
"""
type Discussion implements Comment & Deletable & Lockable & Node & Reactable & RepositoryNode & Subscribable & Updatable {
  """
  Reason that the conversation was locked.
  """
  activeLockReason: LockReason
  """
  Check if this discussion has been answered
  """
  isAnswered: Boolean!

  """
  The comment chosen as this discussion's answer, if any.
  """
  answer: DiscussionComment

  """
  The time when a user chose this discussion's answer, if answered.
  """
  answerChosenAt: DateTime

  """
  The user who chose this discussion's answer, if answered.
  """
  answerChosenBy: Actor

  """
  The actor who authored the comment.
  """
  author: Actor

  """
  Author's association with the subject of the comment.
  """
  authorAssociation: CommentAuthorAssociation!

  """
  The main text of the discussion post.
  """
  body: String!

  """
  The body rendered to HTML.
  """
  bodyHTML: HTML!

  """
  The body rendered to text.
  """
  bodyText: String!

  """
  The category for this discussion.
  """
  category: DiscussionCategory!

  """
  The replies to the discussion.
  """
  comments(
    """
    Returns the elements in the list that come after the specified cursor.
    """
    after: String

    """
    Returns the elements in the list that come before the specified cursor.
    """
    before: String

    """
    Returns the first _n_ elements from the list.
    """
    first: Int

    """
    Returns the last _n_ elements from the list.
    """
    last: Int
  ): DiscussionCommentConnection!

  """
  Identifies the date and time when the object was created.
  """
  createdAt: DateTime!

  """
  Check if this comment was created via an email reply.
  """
  createdViaEmail: Boolean!

  """
  Identifies the primary key from the database.
  """
  databaseId: Int

  """
  The actor who edited the comment.
  """
  editor: Actor
  id: ID!

  """
  Check if this comment was edited and includes an edit with the creation data
  """
  includesCreatedEdit: Boolean!

  """
  The moment the editor made the last edit
  """
  lastEditedAt: DateTime

  """
  `true` if the object is locked
  """
  locked: Boolean!

  """
  The number identifying this discussion within the repository.
  """
  number: Int!

  """
  Identifies when the comment was published at.
  """
  publishedAt: DateTime

  """
  A list of reactions grouped by content left on the subject.
  """
  reactionGroups: [ReactionGroup!]

  """
  A list of Reactions left on the Issue.
  """
  reactions(
    """
    Returns the elements in the list that come after the specified cursor.
    """
    after: String

    """
    Returns the elements in the list that come before the specified cursor.
    """
    before: String

    """
    Allows filtering Reactions by emoji.
    """
    content: ReactionContent

    """
    Returns the first _n_ elements from the list.
    """
    first: Int

    """
    Returns the last _n_ elements from the list.
    """
    last: Int

    """
    Allows specifying the order in which reactions are returned.
    """
    orderBy: ReactionOrder
  ): ReactionConnection!

  """
  The repository associated with this node.
  """
  repository: Repository!

  """
  The path for this discussion.
  """
  resourcePath: URI!

  """
  The title of this discussion.
  """
  title: String!

  """
  Identifies the date and time when the object was last updated.
  """
  updatedAt: DateTime!

  """
  The URL for this discussion.
  """
  url: URI!

  """
  A list of edits to this content.
  """
  userContentEdits(
    """
    Returns the elements in the list that come after the specified cursor.
    """
    after: String

    """
    Returns the elements in the list that come before the specified cursor.
    """
    before: String

    """
    Returns the first _n_ elements from the list.
    """
    first: Int

    """
    Returns the last _n_ elements from the list.
    """
    last: Int
  ): UserContentEditConnection

  """
  Check if the current viewer can delete this object.
  """
  viewerCanDelete: Boolean!

  """
  Can user react to this subject
  """
  viewerCanReact: Boolean!

  """
  Check if the viewer is able to change their subscription status for the repository.
  """
  viewerCanSubscribe: Boolean!

  """
  Check if the current viewer can update this object.
  """
  viewerCanUpdate: Boolean!

  """
  Did the viewer author this comment.
  """
  viewerDidAuthor: Boolean!

  """
  Identifies if the viewer is watching, not watching, or ignoring the subscribable entity.
  """
  viewerSubscription: SubscriptionState
}

DiscussionComment

Fields
"""
A comment on a discussion.
"""
type DiscussionComment implements Comment & Deletable & Minimizable & Node & Reactable & Updatable & UpdatableComment {
  """
  The actor who authored the comment.
  """
  author: Actor

  """
  Author's association with the subject of the comment.
  """
  authorAssociation: CommentAuthorAssociation!

  """
  The body as Markdown.
  """
  body: String!

  """
  The body rendered to HTML.
  """
  bodyHTML: HTML!

  """
  The body rendered to text.
  """
  bodyText: String!

  """
  Identifies the date and time when the object was created.
  """
  createdAt: DateTime!

  """
  Check if this comment was created via an email reply.
  """
  createdViaEmail: Boolean!

  """
  Identifies the primary key from the database.
  """
  databaseId: Int

  """
  The time when this replied-to comment was deleted
  """
  deletedAt: DateTime

  """
  The discussion this comment was created in
  """
  discussion: Discussion

  """
  The actor who edited the comment.
  """
  editor: Actor
  id: ID!

  """
  Check if this comment was edited and includes an edit with the creation data
  """
  includesCreatedEdit: Boolean!

  """
  Has this comment been chosen as the answer of its discussion?
  """
  isAnswer: Boolean!

  """
  Returns whether or not a comment has been minimized.
  """
  isMinimized: Boolean!

  """
  The moment the editor made the last edit
  """
  lastEditedAt: DateTime

  """
  Returns why the comment was minimized.
  """
  minimizedReason: String

  """
  Identifies when the comment was published at.
  """
  publishedAt: DateTime

  """
  A list of reactions grouped by content left on the subject.
  """
  reactionGroups: [ReactionGroup!]

  """
  A list of Reactions left on the Issue.
  """
  reactions(
    """
    Returns the elements in the list that come after the specified cursor.
    """
    after: String

    """
    Returns the elements in the list that come before the specified cursor.
    """
    before: String

    """
    Allows filtering Reactions by emoji.
    """
    content: ReactionContent

    """
    Returns the first _n_ elements from the list.
    """
    first: Int

    """
    Returns the last _n_ elements from the list.
    """
    last: Int

    """
    Allows specifying the order in which reactions are returned.
    """
    orderBy: ReactionOrder
  ): ReactionConnection!

  """
  The threaded replies to this comment.
  """
  replies(
    """
    Returns the elements in the list that come after the specified cursor.
    """
    after: String

    """
    Returns the elements in the list that come before the specified cursor.
    """
    before: String

    """
    Returns the first _n_ elements from the list.
    """
    first: Int

    """
    Returns the last _n_ elements from the list.
    """
    last: Int
  ): DiscussionCommentConnection!

  """
  The discussion comment this comment is a reply to
  """
  replyTo: DiscussionComment

  """
  The path for this discussion comment.
  """
  resourcePath: URI!

  """
  Identifies the date and time when the object was last updated.
  """
  updatedAt: DateTime!

  """
  The URL for this discussion comment.
  """
  url: URI!

  """
  A list of edits to this content.
  """
  userContentEdits(
    """
    Returns the elements in the list that come after the specified cursor.
    """
    after: String

    """
    Returns the elements in the list that come before the specified cursor.
    """
    before: String

    """
    Returns the first _n_ elements from the list.
    """
    first: Int

    """
    Returns the last _n_ elements from the list.
    """
    last: Int
  ): UserContentEditConnection

  """
  Check if the current viewer can delete this object.
  """
  viewerCanDelete: Boolean!

  """
  Can the current user mark this comment as an answer?
  """
  viewerCanMarkAsAnswer: Boolean!

  """
  Check if the current viewer can minimize this object.
  """
  viewerCanMinimize: Boolean!

  """
  Can user react to this subject
  """
  viewerCanReact: Boolean!

  """
  Can the current user unmark this comment as an answer?
  """
  viewerCanUnmarkAsAnswer: Boolean!

  """
  Check if the current viewer can update this object.
  """
  viewerCanUpdate: Boolean!

  """
  Reasons why the current viewer can not update this comment.
  """
  viewerCannotUpdateReasons: [CommentCannotUpdateReason!]!

  """
  Did the viewer author this comment.
  """
  viewerDidAuthor: Boolean!
}

DiscussionCategory

Fields
"""
A category for discussions in a repository.
"""
type DiscussionCategory implements Node & RepositoryNode {
  """
  Identifies the date and time when the object was created.
  """
  createdAt: DateTime!

  """
  A description of this category.
  """
  description: String

  """
  An emoji representing this category.
  """
  emoji: String!

  """
  This category's emoji rendered as HTML.
  """
  emojiHTML: HTML!
  id: ID!

  """
  Whether or not discussions in this category support choosing an answer with the markDiscussionCommentAsAnswer mutation.
  """
  isAnswerable: Boolean!

  """
  The name of this category.
  """
  name: String!

  """
  The repository associated with this node.
  """
  repository: Repository!

  """
  Identifies the date and time when the object was last updated.
  """
  updatedAt: DateTime!
}

PinnedDiscussion

Fields:
"""
A Pinned discussion is a discussion pinned to a repository's index page.
"""
type PinnedDiscussion implements Node & RepositoryNode {
  """
  Identifies the date and time when the object was created.
  """
  createdAt: DateTime!

  """
  Identifies the primary key from the database.
  """
  databaseId: Int

  """
  The discussion that was pinned.
  """
  discussion: Discussion!

  """
  Color stops of the chosen gradient
  """
  gradientStopColors: [String!]!
  id: ID!

  """
  Background texture pattern
  """
  pattern: PinnedDiscussionPattern!

  """
  The actor that pinned this discussion.
  """
  pinnedBy: Actor!

  """
  Preconfigured background gradient option
  """
  preconfiguredGradient: PinnedDiscussionGradient

  """
  The repository associated with this node.
  """
  repository: Repository!

  """
  Identifies the date and time when the object was last updated.
  """
  updatedAt: DateTime!
}

PinnedDiscussionPattern

Values
"""
Preconfigured background patterns that may be used to style discussions pinned within a repository.
"""
enum PinnedDiscussionPattern {
  """
  An upward-facing chevron pattern
  """
  CHEVRON_UP

  """
  A hollow dot pattern
  """
  DOT

  """
  A solid dot pattern
  """
  DOT_FILL

  """
  A heart pattern
  """
  HEART_FILL

  """
  A friendly octocat face pattern
  """
  OCTOFACE

  """
  A plus sign pattern
  """
  PLUS
}

PinnedDiscussionGradient

Values
"""
Preconfigured gradients that may be used to style discussions pinned within a repository.
"""
enum PinnedDiscussionGradient {
  """
  A gradient of blue to mint
  """
  BLUE_MINT

  """
  A gradient of blue to purple
  """
  BLUE_PURPLE

  """
  A gradient of pink to blue
  """
  PINK_BLUE

  """
  A gradient of purple to coral
  """
  PURPLE_CORAL

  """
  A gradient of red to orange
  """
  RED_ORANGE
}

Interfaces

RepositoryDiscussionAuthor

Implemented by the User and Organization types. Note: An Organization will only have discussions associated with it if it was converted from a User.

Fields
"""
Represents an author of discussions in repositories.
"""
interface RepositoryDiscussionAuthor {
  """
  Discussions this user has started.
  """
  repositoryDiscussions(
    """
    Returns the elements in the list that come after the specified cursor.
    """
    after: String

    """
    Filter discussions to only those that have been answered or not. Defaults to
    including both answered and unanswered discussions.
    """
    answered: Boolean = null

    """
    Returns the elements in the list that come before the specified cursor.
    """
    before: String

    """
    Returns the first _n_ elements from the list.
    """
    first: Int

    """
    Returns the last _n_ elements from the list.
    """
    last: Int

    """
    Ordering options for discussions returned from the connection.
    """
    orderBy: DiscussionOrder = {field: CREATED_AT, direction: DESC}

    """
    Filter discussions to only those in a specific repository.
    """
    repositoryId: ID
  ): DiscussionConnection!
}

RepositoryDiscussionCommentAuthor

Also implemented by the User and Organization types.

Fields
"""
Represents an author of discussion comments in repositories.
"""
interface RepositoryDiscussionCommentAuthor {
  """
  Discussion comments this user has authored.
  """
  repositoryDiscussionComments(
    """
    Returns the elements in the list that come after the specified cursor.
    """
    after: String

    """
    Returns the elements in the list that come before the specified cursor.
    """
    before: String

    """
    Returns the first _n_ elements from the list.
    """
    first: Int

    """
    Returns the last _n_ elements from the list.
    """
    last: Int

    """
    Filter discussion comments to only those that were marked as the answer
    """
    onlyAnswers: Boolean = false

    """
    Filter discussion comments to only those in a specific repository.
    """
    repositoryId: ID
  ): DiscussionCommentConnection!
}

Mutations

These mutations follow the same implementation pattern that other mutations in the GraphQL API. Each mutation accepts a single argument of an Input type, named after the mutation, and returns a Payload type containing the fields specified.

For example, this is a basic createDiscussion mutation that will create a new discussion:

mutation {
  # input type: CreateDiscussionInput
  createDiscussion(input: {repositoryId: "1234", categoryId: "5678", body: "The body", title: "The title"}) {

    # response type: CreateDiscussionPayload
    discussion {
      id
    }
  }
}

createDiscussion

Input fields:

  • body: String! The body of the new discussion.
  • title: String! The title of the new discussion.
  • repositoryId: ID! The ID of a repository in which to create the discussion.
  • categoryId: ID! The ID of a DiscussionCategory within this repository.
  • clientMutationId: String A unique identifier for the client performing the mutation.

Return type fields:

  • clientMutationId: String The unique identifier provided as an input.
  • discussion: Discussion The discussion that was created.

updateDiscussion

Input fields:

  • discussionId: ID! The node ID of the discussion to update.
  • body: String The new contents of the discussion body.
  • title: String The new discussion title.
  • categoryId: ID The node ID of a DiscussionCategory within the same repository to change this discussion to.
  • clientMutationId: String A unique identifier for the client performing the mutation.

Return type fields:

  • clientMutationId: String The unique identifier provided as an input.
  • discussion: Discussion The discussion that was modified.

deleteDiscussion

Input fields:

  • id: ID! The node ID of the discussion to delete.
  • clientMutationId: String A unique identifier for the client performing the mutation.

Return type fields:

  • clientMutationId: String The unique identifier provided as an input.
  • discussion: Discussion The discussion that was deleted.

addDiscussionComment

Input fields:

  • body: String! The contents of the comment.
  • discussionId: ID! The node ID of the discussion to comment on.
  • replyToId: ID The node ID of the discussion comment to reply to. If absent, the created comment will be a top-level comment.
  • clientMutationId: String A unique identifier for the client performing the mutation.

Return type fields:

  • clientMutationId: String The unique identifier provided as an input.
  • comment: DiscussionComment The discussion comment that was created.

updateDiscussionComment

Input fields:

  • body: String! The new contents of the comment body.
  • commentId: ID! The node ID of the discussion comment to update.
  • clientMutationId: String A unique identifier for the client performing the mutation.

Return type fields:

  • clientMutationId: String The unique identifier provided as an input.
  • comment: DiscussionComment The discussion comment that was updated.

deleteDiscussionComment

Input fields:

  • id: ID! The node ID of the discussion comment to delete.
  • clientMutationId: String A unique identifier for the client performing the mutation.

Return type fields:

  • clientMutationId: String The unique identifier provided as an input.
  • comment: DiscussionComment The discussion comment that was deleted.

markDiscussionCommentAsAnswer

Input fields:

  • id: ID! The node ID of the discussion comment to mark as an answer.
  • clientMutationId: String A unique identifier for the client performing the mutation.

Return type fields:

  • clientMutationId: String The unique identifier provided as an input.
  • discussion: Discussion The discussion that includes the chosen comment.

unmarkDiscussionCommentAsAnswer

Input fields:

  • id: ID! The node ID of the discussion comment to unmark as an answer.
  • clientMutationId: String A unique identifier for the client performing the mutation.

Return type fields:

  • clientMutationId: String The unique identifier provided as an input.
  • discussion: Discussion The discussion that includes the unmarked comment.

Discussion may be returned from the top-level search field. To search for discussion, specify type as DISCUSSION. The SearchResultItemConnection type has a discussionCount field to report the number of returned discussions, and the Discussion type is added to the SearchResultItem union. For more information, see "Queries" and "Searching discussions."