Generate issue templates for bug reports, features, and questions with structured fields. Part of the DevTools Surf developer suite. Browse more tools in the DevOps / CI-CD collection.
Use Cases
Create a bug report template that collects reproduction steps, environment, and expected vs. actual behavior.
Generate a feature request template that prompts for user story, motivation, and alternatives considered.
Build a security vulnerability template with disclosure-policy text and confidential reporting instructions.
Create a question/discussion template to route support requests away from the bug tracker.
Tips
Add required sections using the '<!-- Required -->' comment above fields — contributors are more likely to fill them if they're clearly marked.
Include a 'Steps to reproduce' section with numbered steps for bug reports — vague 'it broke' reports are the most common complaint from project maintainers.
Add 'Environment' fields (OS, browser, version) as a checklist rather than free text to get consistent, parseable data.
Fun Facts
GitHub introduced issue templates in 2016 after data showed that issues with structured information were resolved 40% faster than unstructured ones. YAML-based issue forms (replacing Markdown templates) were added in 2021.
The top complaint of open-source maintainers in the 2022 GitHub Open Source Survey was 'incomplete issue reports' — cited by 68% of maintainers as their primary contribution frustration.
GitLab introduced issue templates two months after GitHub in 2016, and Jira issue types have served a similar templating function since the early 2000s — the concept predates the current Markdown format significantly.
FAQ
Does it generate Markdown or YAML form templates?
Both — Markdown templates (.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/*.md) for classic GitHub issues and YAML form definitions (.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/*.yml) for GitHub's structured issue forms with dropdowns and checkboxes.
Can I add custom dropdowns or checkboxes?
Yes — YAML form templates support dropdown, checkboxes, textarea, and input field types. Dropdowns can be pre-populated with common values like OS names or browser versions.
Does it support GitLab too?
Yes — GitLab issue templates use Markdown and are stored in .gitlab/issue_templates/. The generator supports both GitHub and GitLab formats.
