Duplicate default workflows

[tay1orjones]

The existing static list of default workflows available is nice, however it would be beneficial if these could be duplicated to have multiple outcomes.

Here's some examples of how this could be useful:

Item added to project

1. When pull request is added, Set Status: In Review
2. When issue is added, Set Status: Backlog

Item reopened

1. When pull request is reopened, Set Status: In Review
2. When issue is reopened, Set Status: Backlog

Auto-archive items (beta)

1. When issue, is:closed reason:not planned
2. When issue, pull request, is: closed/merged last-updated:56days

In all these cases, only one of these can be applied. If we could duplicate the workflows, this could be done with the existing limited parameters available within the workflow configuration.

[2percentsilk]

Hey @tay1orjones - thanks for your feedback and we're looking to address this soon! We've heard from many folks similar sentiments. I'll be sure to reach out if you're interested in giving feedback on how this might appear in the UI! :)

[MattMcAdams]

It would be cool to "Add custom workflow" that lets you achieve any of the functionality the default workflows have. That would cover this specific use case, and it could be expanded as more workflow options and actions are supported. I'd be happy to do a rough mockup or something if it would help?

This is one of the biggest missing pieces for our team in the new projects system (That and mobile / touch support, shout out to the GitHub Mobile beta!)

[2percentsilk]

@MattMcAdams we've got some of these mocks ourselves 👀
Currently, we're looking at just letting you duplicate the existing workflows as a first step but look forward to more building block UI in the future 🚀

[tay1orjones]

if you're interested in giving feedback on how this might appear in the UI!

@2percentsilk Totally! I'm happy to help.

[castarco]

@2percentsilk

What's the status of this? I see that this was opened around 2 years ago and I'm still facing the same problem.

Of course I understand it might not be a priority for whatever reason, but it would be nice to know how far are we from having it.

[akib1689]

Is the feature is implemented yet? I am also in the same type of problem for setting my projects.

[phisco]

+1 here, I saw that documented, but couldn't find it: https://docs.github.com/en/issues/planning-and-tracking-with-projects/automating-your-project/adding-items-automatically#duplicating-the-auto-add-workflow

[phisco]

turns out only "Auto-add" default workflow can be duplicated, you have to enable it before to get access to the "duplicate workflow" option shown in the docs

[akib1689]

this is auto adding item how do i set the item's field like status to backlog if it is an issue or in review if it is a pr.

[phisco]

Unfortunately it looks like you can only rely on the other workflow setting the default status for added items... I find it really difficult to handle both issues and PRs in the same board given the current implementation

[keikoro]

turns out only "Auto-add" default workflow can be duplicated, you have to enable it before to get access to the "duplicate workflow" option shown in the docs

Actually, you can only duplicate it if you haven't yet hit the limit for your account. The limits are listed in a table further up the page you linked.

Which is why I'd like to log the following more user-friendly solution as sub request: don't restrict duplication per se, restrict the number of active workflows a user (type) is allowed.

Duplicates which exceed the no. of allowed workflows could simply be set to inactive on creation. Then, when a user goes to enable an excess workflow, automatically disable the oldest workflow of the same type. Put a warning about the limit and what's going to happen when they flip the switch somewhere in close proximity to the on/off button.

[jaclynjessup]

[phisco]

See #36584 (reply in thread)

[DivergentEuropeans]

@2percentsilk It's kind of insane that there's no solution for this yet. It's been 1.5 years! It should be simple to be able to duplicate default workflows, if we can already duplicate 1 type of workflow

[smythp]

What's going on with this? Just pulled up project workflows and was amazed at how primitive it was. I thought I just couldn't find the add button.