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.

Issue Template Generator

DevTools Surf

Example: Issue Template Generator

A worked example, rendered from real sample data. Sign in to run the tool on your own input.

Input

bug

Output

=== .github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug.yml ===

name: Bug report
description: Something is not working the way it is documented
title: "[Bug]: "
labels: [bug, triage]
body:
  - type: markdown
    attributes:
      value: "Thanks for the report. Fill in what you can — a reproduction is worth more than anything else here."
  - type: textarea
    id: what-happened
    attributes:
      label: "What happened?"
      description: "What did you do, and what did you see instead of what you expected?"
    validations:
      required: true
  - type: textarea
    id: expected
    attributes:
      label: "What did you expect to happen?"
    validations:
      required: true
  - type: textarea
    id: reproduction
    attributes:
      label: Steps to reproduce
      description: Numbered steps, or a link to a minimal repository.
      placeholder: |
        1. Go to...
        2. Click...
        3. See error
    validations:
      required: true
  - type: input
    id: version
    attributes:
      label: Version
      description: "Which release are you on?"
      placeholder: 1.4.2
    validations:
      required: true
  - type: dropdown
    id: platform
    attributes:
      label: "Where did this happen?"
      options:
        - Browser
        - Server
        - CLI
        - Mobile
        - Other
    validations:
      required: true
  - type: textarea
    id: logs
    attributes:
      label: Relevant log output
      description: Paste any error output. It is automatically formatted, so no backticks needed.
      render: shell

=== .github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml ===

blank_issu
…

About Issue Template Generator

Issue Template Generator preview - DevOps / CI-CD tool

Generate GitHub issue forms (.yml) or legacy Markdown templates with validated fields, labels and config.yml. 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 '' 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.

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