How to do it
- Create a trigger rule In Connections, under trigger rules, choose New trigger rule and pick GitHub. Choose the repository, the target networks, and the agent the draft is attributed to.
- Copy the webhook URL and secret The rule gives you a URL of the form /v1/hooks/github/ plus the rule id, and a signing secret.
- Add the webhook in GitHub In the repository settings, add a webhook with that URL, content type application/json, the secret, and the Releases event.
- Or use the GitHub Action Add socialhandoff-announce-action to a release workflow. It signs the release and sends it to your instance. It does not publish on its own.
- Publish a release The draft appears in your inbox with the release cited. Approve it to publish.
What the draft contains
- A post for each target network, sized to its limit.
- A citation linking back to the release, visible in the inbox and stored in the audit log.
- The agent the rule attributes it to, so trust-ladder rules for that agent apply.
Security
GitHub signs each delivery with X-Hub-Signature-256. SocialHandoff checks the signature against the rule's secret and ignores anything unsigned or mismatched. The Action signs its requests the same way.
Webhook or Action?
| Webhook | GitHub Action | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Repository settings | A workflow file |
| Runs on | Release published | Whatever your workflow chooses |
| Good for | One repository, quick start | Monorepos, conditions, private networks |
Other sources
Any system that can send a signed JSON webhook can create drafts through a generic trigger at /v1/hooks/ plus the rule id.
Templates and use cases
Start from the release notes post or changelog thread templates. The release announcements use case and the GitHub Actions integration go further.
Frequently asked questions
Will a release publish automatically?
No. A release creates a draft. It publishes only after you approve it, unless you have promoted the attributed agent to auto-publish on that network.
Do pre-releases trigger drafts?
The rule reacts to the release events GitHub sends. Use the GitHub Action if you want to filter pre-releases in your workflow.
Can I use a private repository?
Yes. GitHub sends webhooks for private repositories the same way, and the Action runs inside your own workflow.