repository-builder

Scaffold a pnpm and Turborepo monorepo and advance it from local folder to GitHub with CI.

77|11|Updated Jun 2, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/jrpease/throughline --skill repository-builder-jrpease
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: repository-builder
Source: https://github.com/jrpease/throughline/tree/main/skills/repository-builder
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/jrpease/throughline --skill repository-builder-jrpease

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Design-system work often starts as a loose local folder with no version control, no package structure, and no remote backup. This Skill graduates that folder into a real pnpm + Turborepo monorepo and walks the user through git initialization and GitHub setup without requiring prior coding experience. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Monorepo Scaffolding: Creates the workspace root files (package.json, pnpm-workspace.yaml, turbo.json, .gitignore, .env.example) plus packages/tokens, packages/ui, and an empty apps/ directory ready for a future app. - Staged Version Control Progression: Advances the workspace through three stages — plain folder, local git with an initial commit, then a GitHub remote — explaining each concept at the user's coding level. - GitHub CLI Integration: Detects the gh CLI, offers guided installation, and runs gh repo create only after showing the exact command and getting approval, with a manual browser fallback path. - Secrets Hygiene: Sets up .env.example and gitignore rules, teaches the difference between local .env files and GitHub Actions secrets, and enforces that secret values never pass through chat or get committed. - Use Case: A designer has a folder of synced Figma tokens and wants to turn it into code. The Skill scaffolds the monorepo, initializes git, creates the GitHub repository, and wires a docs:check drift gate into CI. ## Quick Start Turn my design-system folder into a pnpm and Turborepo monorepo, set up git, and connect it to a new GitHub repository.

Frequently Asked Questions about repository-builder

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I turn a design system folder into a monorepo?

Scaffold a pnpm workspace with a root package.json, pnpm-workspace.yaml, and turbo.json, then create packages/tokens and packages/ui directories. This Skill automates that layout and records pnpm and Turborepo as the repo configuration in the project manifest.

How do I create a GitHub repository from the command line?

Install the GitHub CLI with brew install gh on macOS or winget install GitHub.CLI on Windows, authenticate with gh auth login, then run gh repo create. The Skill shows the exact command and explains its effect before running it, with a manual browser fallback if you decline the CLI.

What is the difference between a .env file and GitHub Actions secrets?

A .env file holds KEY=value pairs for local development and must be gitignored so it is never committed. GitHub Actions secrets live in an encrypted vault under Settings, Secrets and variables, Actions, and are the only way CI can access values like CHROMATIC_PROJECT_TOKEN.

Can I use this workflow without installing the GitHub CLI?

Yes, there is a manual browser fallback: create an empty repository on github.com without a README, then copy the commands GitHub shows for pushing an existing repository. The CLI path is recommended because it reduces repo creation to one command.

When should I not use this repository scaffolding approach?

Avoid it when retrofitting an existing application or when repo work is entangled with a larger re-architecture, since that scope exceeds a clean scaffold. In those cases the Skill hands off to a planning workflow that surfaces risks and confirms scope first.