GitHub issue template contact links to discussions and security
Use GitHub issue-template contact links to push support questions and security reports onto the right routes before they become the wrong kind of issue.
Why this can grow a startup
Not every incoming problem belongs in the public issue queue. A product question may belong in Discussions, and a security report absolutely should not be handled like a normal bug thread. GitHub's `contact_links` setting gives the issue chooser alternate destinations with names, URLs, and short explanations. That turns the chooser into a routing layer instead of a dead-end form list. The result is less queue pollution, fewer accidental public disclosures, and a better first experience for contributors who simply chose the wrong door.
Source-backed example
GitHub's example `config.yml` routes community support to Discussions and security vulnerabilities to the GitHub Security Bug Bounty page using `contact_links` entries with `name`, `url`, and `about` fields.
Source-reported evidence
Source: GitHub Docs: Configuring issue templates for your repository
GitHub contact links let the issue chooser display named alternate routes with a URL and short explanation before an issue is opened.
Attributed to the cited source; GrowthDex has not independently verified it. Use this as context, not as a forecast, benchmark, or recommended target.
Evidence scope: claims and metrics are attributed to the linked source; GrowthDex has not independently replicated the reported result. Check the original context and validate fit before applying it. Read the evidence methodology.
When to use it
Use this when GitHub, Community, Security is relevant to queue routing, security intake, community support and you can run a bounded test with a free budget.
When not to use it
Do not use it as a substitute for customer evidence, a clear owner, or a measurable stop condition. Local platform rules and market behavior still need checking.
How to do it
- Choose one target segment and define the exact next action this tactic should prompt.
- Adapt the tactic to GitHub and Community, using evidence from GitHub Docs: Configuring issue templates for your repository as context—not as a promised result.
- Record a baseline for: Target users from this channel who complete the intended first action. Set a guardrail that would make you pause the test.
- Run a narrow pilot and choose a test window that fits the normal decision or use cycle; do not scale before you have observed the full cycle.
- Compare the signal with its baseline. Scale only if the intended action improves without crossing the guardrail; otherwise revise one variable or stop and record what you learned.
Compare a stack for your situation
Compare source-backed tactics against your product, stage, budget and channel strengths, then choose one experiment to test.
Explore the context
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Apply this with an operator
Build creator and community systems around real incentives, trust, and repeat participation.