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GitHub Operations

Vercel Agent GitHub operations are available in Public Beta on Enterprise and Pro plans

Vercel Agent can read and update GitHub repositories linked to projects in your selected Vercel team. It uses a secure sandbox for repository work and requires your approval before it writes to GitHub.

Before Vercel Agent can access a repository:

  1. Connect the GitHub repository to a Vercel project.
  2. Make sure the project belongs to the selected Vercel team.
  3. Confirm that the Vercel GitHub App is installed for the repository's owner.
  4. Give the GitHub App the repository permissions required by the operation.

A repository can be visible to your GitHub account but unavailable to Vercel Agent if it is not linked to an accessible Vercel project.

Vercel Agent can perform these read operations on an authorized repository:

  • Clone a repository at a branch or tag. Clones are shallow by default; request full history for historical analysis or blame.
  • List open, closed, or all pull requests.
  • Read pull request metadata, changed files, reviews, and comments.
  • Read CI check results and save a check-job log for inspection.
  • Search and inspect the cloned source in the secure sandbox.

Repository clones are read-only from GitHub's perspective. Vercel Agent does not use git push, gh, or copied GitHub credentials from a shell command.

When a task needs a code change, Vercel Agent can edit and test files in the sandbox, then create a pull request after you approve the plan.

Vercel Agent pull requests:

  • Start from a committed local branch in the cloned repository.
  • Use a Vercel Agent-owned branch beginning with vercel-agent/.
  • Target the repository's default branch unless you specify another base branch.
  • Can be drafts when the request specifies a draft pull request.
  • Include the title and body shown in the approved plan or request.
  • Return a pull request link and number when creation succeeds.

Vercel Agent can update an existing open Vercel Agent-owned pull request by pull request number or branch name. Updates can change the title or body and publish a committed local branch to the existing pull request. Vercel Agent cannot update arbitrary pull requests or branches owned by someone else.

GitHub pull request writes require an approved plan scope exactly matching:

@github:repo/<owner>/<repo> pull_requests:write

The scope is repository-specific. Approving a write for one repository does not authorize a different repository.

ErrorMeaningWhat to do
github_not_connectedThe Vercel GitHub connection is unavailableReconnect GitHub, then retry
repo_not_allowedThe repository is outside the allowed project/team scopeLink it to an accessible project or select the correct team
project_not_foundVercel Agent cannot find the target Vercel projectCheck the project name and team
project_not_linkedThe project is not linked to the repositoryLink the repository in Project Settings
project_ambiguousMore than one project matches the targetSelect a project explicitly
missing_approvalThe active plan does not include the repository write scopeReject the stale request and approve a new plan
clone_failedThe sandbox could not clone the repositoryStart a new request; do not use shell GitHub credentials
sandbox_unavailableThe workspace could not be preparedRetry in a new message
dirty_worktreeThe local checkout contains unexpected changesAsk Vercel Agent to inspect the checkout before continuing
invalid_branch or branch_not_foundThe requested branch is invalid or unavailableUse an existing branch or let Vercel Agent use the default branch
empty_diffThere are no changes to publishMake a relevant change or stop the request
merge_conflictThe requested change conflicts with the target branchResolve the conflict in a new request
unsupported_changeThe requested change cannot be represented by the supported GitHub operationAsk Vercel Agent for a different workflow
change_too_largeThe change exceeds the supported sizeSplit the work into smaller pull requests
branch_existsThe requested Vercel Agent branch already existsUpdate the existing pull request or choose another branch
pull_request_existsAn open pull request already exists for the branchAsk Vercel Agent to update it instead
pull_request_not_found or pull_request_closedThe requested pull request is unavailable for updateOpen a new request or use an open Vercel Agent-owned pull request
commit_not_verifiedThe source commit could not be verifiedRetry after Vercel Agent inspects and commits the local branch
non_fast_forwardThe remote branch changed since the local checkoutRefresh the branch and review the diff before retrying

GitHub App installation errors can also report missing repository permissions or SAML authorization requirements. An organization administrator may need to update the GitHub App installation or complete SAML reauthentication.

GitHub writes are authorized by you. Commits and pull requests are created and signed by the Vercel Agent GitHub App, with you added as a git co-author, and the write is recorded in your team's activity history. Vercel Agent uses short-lived repository credentials during authorized operations. Do not paste GitHub tokens into Chat or Slack.

For the full Chat approval model, see Vercel Agent Permissions. For automatic reviews and @vercel commands in pull request comments, see Code Review.

Last updated September 18, 2026

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