github-wayback-recovery

Retrieve deleted GitHub content from Wayback Machine via CDX queries.

482|72|Updated Apr 5, 2026

Search Tags:#github #recovery #archive #forensics #osint #wayback

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/deonmenezes/mantishack --skill github-wayback-recovery-deonmenezes

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: github-wayback-recovery
Source: https://github.com/deonmenezes/mantishack/tree/main/.claude/skills/oss-forensics/github-wayback-recovery
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/deonmenezes/mantishack --skill github-wayback-recovery-deonmenezes

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Deleted or altered GitHub content can be difficult to reconstruct; important artifacts like README files, issues, PRs, wiki pages, and repository metadata may persist only in web archives. This skill provides a structured workflow to locate, access, and extract archived content from the Wayback Machine and Archive.org using CDX API queries to support investigations, audits, and historical analysis.

Core Features & Use Cases

Archive discovery: identify snapshots of GitHub pages (README, issues, PRs, wiki, metadata) in web archives.
Recovery workflow: construct archive URLs, fetch archived content, and present it for documentation or incident response.
Use Case: perform post-incident analysis by retrieving archived issues and release notes from deleted repositories.

Quick Start

Retrieve archived content by querying Wayback/Archive.org for a given GitHub URL and extracting the latest accessible snapshot.

Frequently Asked Questions about github-wayback-recovery

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

How do I recover deleted GitHub content from the Wayback Machine?▼

Recover deleted GitHub content by querying the Wayback Machine CDX API to locate archived snapshots of README files, issues, PRs, and wiki pages. This skill constructs URL patterns to fetch and extract historical repository data from web archives.

Can I retrieve archived GitHub issues and pull requests for incident response?▼

Yes, you can retrieve archived GitHub issues and pull requests for incident response. The skill queries web archives to extract historical repository metadata and artifacts, supporting post-incident analysis and documentation when original repositories are deleted or altered.

What is the CDX API and how does it work for GitHub archive recovery?▼

The CDX API is an indexing service for web archives used to locate historical snapshots of GitHub pages. It works by querying Archive.org to identify accessible captures of repository metadata, README files, and issues for extraction and historical analysis.

Do I need internet access to use the Wayback Machine recovery workflow?▼

Yes, you need internet access to use the Wayback Machine recovery workflow. The skill requires connectivity to query the CDX API and fetch archived GitHub content from Archive.org servers to perform historical analysis and incident response.

What types of deleted GitHub artifacts can be reconstructed from web archives?▼

Deleted GitHub artifacts that can be reconstructed from web archives include README files, issues, pull requests, wiki pages, and repository metadata. The recovery workflow locates these historical snapshots to support audits and forensic investigations.

What are the limitations of using web archives for GitHub forensics?▼

Limitations of using web archives for GitHub forensics include reliance on whether the Wayback Machine actually captured the specific repository page before deletion. The CDX API can only retrieve snapshots that were successfully indexed by Archive.org.