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This version of GitHub Enterprise was discontinued on 2023-01-18. No patch releases will be made, even for critical security issues. For better performance, improved security, and new features, upgrade to the latest version of GitHub Enterprise. For help with the upgrade, contact GitHub Enterprise support.

Managing labels

You can classify issues and pull requests by creating, editing, applying, and deleting labels.

About labels

You can manage your work on GitHub Enterprise Server by creating labels to categorize issues and pull requests. You can apply labels in the repository the label was created in. Once a label exists, you can use the label on any issue or pull request within that repository.

About default labels

GitHub Enterprise Server provides default labels in every new repository. You can use these default labels to help create a standard workflow in a repository.

LabelDescription
bugIndicates an unexpected problem or unintended behavior
documentationIndicates a need for improvements or additions to documentation
duplicateIndicates similar issues or pull requests
enhancementIndicates new feature requests
good first issueIndicates a good issue for first-time contributors
help wantedIndicates that a maintainer wants help on an issue or pull request
invalidIndicates that an issue or pull request is no longer relevant
questionIndicates that an issue or pull request needs more information
wontfixIndicates that work won't continue on an issue or pull request

Default labels are included in every new repository when the repository is created, but you can edit or delete the labels later.

Issues with the good first issue label are used to populate the repository's contribute page. For an example of a contribute page, see github/docs/contribute.

Organization owners can customize the default labels for repositories in their organization. For more information, see "Managing default labels for repositories in your organization."

Creating a label

Anyone with write access to a repository can create a label.

  1. On your GitHub Enterprise Server instance, navigate to the main page of the repository.
  2. Under your repository name, click Issues or Pull requests. Issues and pull requests tab selection
  3. Above the list of issues or pull requests, click Labels. Labels tab on a repository's issues or pull requests page
  4. To the right of the search field, click New label.
  5. Under "Label name", type a name for your label. Field to type a label name
  6. Under "Description", type a description to help others understand and use your label. Field to type a label description
  7. Optionally, to customize the color of your label, edit the hexadecimal number, or click the refresh button for another random selection. Issues new label color refresh
  8. To save the new label, click Create label.

Applying a label

Anyone with triage access to a repository can apply and dismiss labels.

  1. Navigate to the issue or pull request.
  2. In the right sidebar, to the right of "Labels", click , then click a label. "Labels" drop-down menu

Editing a label

Anyone with write access to a repository can edit existing labels.

  1. On your GitHub Enterprise Server instance, navigate to the main page of the repository.
  2. Under your repository name, click Issues or Pull requests. Issues and pull requests tab selection
  3. Above the list of issues or pull requests, click Labels. Labels tab on a repository's issues or pull requests page
  4. In the labels list, to the right of the label you want to edit, click Edit.
  5. Under "Label name", type a name for your label. Field to type a label name
  6. Under "Description", type a description to help others understand and use your label. Field to type a label description
  7. Optionally, to customize the color of your label, edit the hexadecimal number, or click the refresh button for another random selection. Issues new label color refresh
  8. Click Save changes.

Deleting a label

Anyone with write access to a repository can delete existing labels.

Deleting a label will remove the label from issues and pull requests.

  1. On your GitHub Enterprise Server instance, navigate to the main page of the repository.
  2. Under your repository name, click Issues or Pull requests. Issues and pull requests tab selection
  3. Above the list of issues or pull requests, click Labels. Labels tab on a repository's issues or pull requests page
  4. In the labels list, to the right of the label you want to delete, click Delete.

Further reading