Connect GitHub
Install the GitHub App
After signing in, install the Quarterback GitHub App on the GitHub accounts or organizations that contain the repos you want to work with.
When you install the app (or update its repo access), GitHub notifies Quarterback automatically. Your repos appear in the platform within seconds — no manual import needed.
How Permissions Work
The Quarterback GitHub App requests the following permissions:
| Permission | Access | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Repository contents | Read | Read files, branches, and commits to provide codebase context |
| Pull requests | Read | Understand PR context for reviews and discussions |
| Metadata | Read | List repos and basic repo info |
Quarterback never writes to your repositories. All code changes happen locally on your machine through the desktop app or VSCode extension — the LLM uses local tools (file_write, shell_run, git) to make changes, not the GitHub API.
Selecting Repositories
When installing the GitHub App, you can choose:
- All repositories — grants access to every repo in the account/org (including future repos)
- Only select repositories — pick specific repos to grant access to
You can change this at any time in GitHub Settings > Applications > Quarterback > Configure.
Adopted Repos
If you work on repositories that belong to a GitHub organization where the Quarterback GitHub App isn’t installed (for example, an open-source project or a client’s org), you can adopt them.
Adopted repos let Quarterback associate your local work with the correct organization context, even without GitHub App access. The LLM still has full access to the code locally on your machine — it just won’t have GitHub-side metadata (PR history, branch info from the API).
To adopt a repo:
- Go to your org’s Integrations page in the web app
- Click Adopt Repository
- Enter the GitHub owner and repo name
- The repo appears in your org’s repo list
Adopted repos work the same as GitHub App repos for local development — the LLM reads and writes files on your machine, uses git tools, and builds knowledge. The only difference is that Quarterback can’t fetch metadata from the GitHub API for adopted repos.
Non-Repo Projects
You don’t need a GitHub repository to use Quarterback. You can work on any local folder — personal scripts, notes, design docs, or projects not tracked by git.
When you open a folder that isn’t a git repository (or doesn’t have a GitHub remote), the extension and desktop app will ask you to select an organization manually. The LLM still has full access to local files and tools — you just won’t get automatic org resolution from the git remote.
Organization Access
If your repositories belong to a GitHub organization, the org owner may need to approve the Quarterback GitHub App before you can access those repos.
To check or request access:
- Go to GitHub Settings > Applications > Authorized GitHub Apps
- Find Quarterback in the list
- If org access is pending, click Request or ask your org admin to approve
Multiple Organizations
You can belong to multiple Quarterback organizations. After signing in, use the organization switcher to move between orgs. Each org has its own repos, members, knowledge base, and billing.
Next Steps
With your repos connected, you’re ready to install the desktop app.