Growth idea action plan
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.
Ian's take
From scaling consumer platforms across MENA and Southeast Asia, my default is to distrust growth work that only looks good in a slide. My bias is to treat this as a small market test first. Make the audience narrow, make the promise concrete, and let the first real response decide whether it deserves more work. I would run it small enough to learn quickly, then only scale the parts that real users repeat, save, reply to, or buy from. For this tactic, I would watch one clear growth signal before putting more time or budget behind it.
Action plan
- Define one narrow startup segment where github issue template contact links to discussions and security can create a measurable lift.
- Turn the tactic into one offer, page, campaign, or workflow for the GitHub and Community channel.
- Use the evidence from docs.github.com to set the first version of the message, format, and audience.
- Launch a small test for 7 to 14 days with one success metric: one measurable growth signal.
- Review the result, keep the winning message, remove weak variants, and turn the learning into a repeatable growth playbook.
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: GitHub Docs: Configuring issue templates for your repository (docs.github.com)
GrowthDex source hub: GitHub Docs: Configuring issue templates for your repository
Last checked: 2026-06-05T14:05:00Z
Adjacent tactics in the same lane
If this page is close to your problem, these tactic pages usually belong in the same working set.
- GitHub issue template chooser with blank issues disabled same source · 2 shared channels
- GitHub security policy link before public bug report 2 shared channels · 1 shared stage
- GitHub release asset verification in install docs 2 shared channels
- GitHub profile README as operator proof surface 2 shared channels
Related GrowthDex essays
- The issue intake should finish the sorting first community-led growth, support deflection, seo
Read GrowthDex essays
The Blog turns real growth tactics into plain-English case studies by niche, channel, and buying situation.
Why this is worth your time
GrowthDex starts with tactics that founders, marketers, and product teams have actually tried. Each essay turns the evidence into a practical move you can test without pretending one case study is a guarantee.
Ian Goh has helped grow consumer platforms across Southeast Asia, India, and MENA. His work includes scaling Tiki to 100M+ users, doubling BIGO's MENA revenue in 7 months, and increasing OYO's direct booking share across 6 Southeast Asian markets.
- Helped scale Tiki to 100M+ users.
- Doubled BIGO's MENA revenue in 7 months.
- Raised OYO's direct booking share by 50% across 6 Southeast Asian markets.
Want help turning this into a growth system?
If you want someone to pressure-test this against your real market, Ian works with founders on growth, market entry, and operator-led distribution.
Work with Ian on growth advisory