Connecting GitHub

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Connecting GitHub

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Connector configuration instructions provided in this guide apply both to GitHub and GitHub Enterprise Server.

GitHub is a development platform, version control and collaboration platform for teams of all sizes. From open source to business, you can host and review code, manage projects, and build software across departments and continents. The GitHub connectors provided with Workplace Search automatically capture, sync and index the following items:

Issues

Including ID, Content, Status, Repository, Created By, and timestamps

Pull Requests

Including ID, Content, Status, Repository, Created By, and timestamps

Repositories

Including ID, Name, and README content as description. Repository content (e.g. code, files, wiki) is excluded.

Workplace Search supports GitHub Enterprise Server version: 2.19.4

Configuring the GitHub Connector

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Configuring the GitHub connector is the first step prior to connecting the GitHub service to Workplace Search, and requires that you create an OAuth App from the GitHub platform. To get started, first log in to GitHub and access your administrative dashboard:


Step 1. Locate the Account drop-down menu in the top-right area and navigate to Settings:

Figure 33. Connecting GitHub

Step 2. From here, you’ll see a set of menu items on the left under Personal Settings. Click Developer Settings:

Figure 34. Connecting GitHub

Workplace Search needs an OAuth App with which to interface. There are two important things to understand before you create one:

  1. The app can stay in developer mode. You do not need to publish it.
  2. Make sure that you create this app with a trusted and stable GitHub account.

We recommend creating a team-owned account for only this app. If access is lost, a new one must be created and the configuration updated in Workplace Search.


Step 3. Click New OAuth App:

Figure 35. Connecting GitHub

You’ll need to fill in specific values:

  • Application Name: A name to help you identify the application. It’s best to make it explicit: Workplace Search, or something like that.
  • Description (Optional): More information will help you remember the application’s purpose.
  • Homepage URL: The base URL at which Workplace Search is hosted (scheme + host, no path).

    Examples:

    # Deployment using a custom domain name
    https://www.example.com
    
    # Deployment using a default Elastic Cloud domain name
    https://c3397e558e404195a982cb68e84fbb42.ent-search.us-east-1.aws.found.io
    
    # Unsecured local development environment
    http://localhost:3002
  • Authorization callback URL: The following URL, substituting <WS_BASE_URL> with the base URL at which Workplace Search is hosted (scheme + host, no path):

    <WS_BASE_URL>/ws/

    Examples:

    # Deployment using a custom domain name
    https://www.example.com/ws/
    
    # Deployment using a default Elastic Cloud domain name
    https://c3397e558e404195a982cb68e84fbb42.ent-search.us-east-1.aws.found.io/ws/
    
    # Unsecured local development environment
    http://localhost:3002/ws/

Step 4. Once the form is complete, click Register Application:

Figure 36. Connecting GitHub

Step 5. The app is created, and we may now retrieve the Client ID and Client Secret.

Figure 37. Connecting GitHub

Step 6. From the Workplace Search administrative dashboard’s Sources area, locate GitHub and provide both the Client ID and Client Secret.

Voilà! The GitHub connector is now configured, and ready to be used to synchronize content. In order to capture data, you must now connect a GitHub instance with the adequate authentication credentials.

Connecting GitHub to Workplace Search

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Once the GitHub connector has been configured, you may connect a GitHub instance to your organization.


Step 1. Head to your organization’s Workplace Search administrative dashboard, and locate the Sources tab.


Step 2. Click Add a new source.


Step 3. Select GitHub (or GitHub Enterprise) in the Configured Sources list, and follow the GitHub authentication flow as presented.


Step 4. Upon the successful authentication flow, you will be redirected to Workplace Search, and will be prompted to select the Organization you would like to synchronize.

GitHub content will now be captured and will be ready for search gradually as it is synced. Once successfully configured and connected, the GitHub synchronization automatically occurs every 2 hours.

Adding GitHub requires that you belong to and have OAuth permissions within a GitHub organization, usually as a GitHub organization admin-level user.