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Garth connects to GitHub in two ways: the Garth GitHub App (this page) or a personal access token. Use the App when you want GitHub to manage permissions and you prefer not to rotate a token. For GitHub Enterprise Server, or when app installation is blocked by organization policy, use GitHub via PAT instead.
Only one GitHub connection can be active at a time. To switch methods, remove the existing connection first — uninstall the Garth App, or disconnect the token — then wait a few minutes and reload the integrations page.
You must have owner-level access for the GitHub organization or repository you intend to connect. Without these administrative privileges you cannot install the Garth GitHub App.

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Connect your GitHub account

1

Access the Garth portal

Open your browser and navigate to the Garth dashboard.
2

Sign in

Select Continue with Google or Continue with Microsoft to authenticate via OAuth.
If you don’t have a Google or Microsoft account, sign up using username and password on app.heygarth.ai.
3

Create a Garth API key

In the left navigation, go to Developer → API Keys and click Create API Key.
Copy the API key and store it securely. It is shown only once.
4

Install the Garth GitHub App

In Garth, go to Settings → Integrations, select the GitHub tab, choose GitHub App, and click Open Link — or navigate directly to the Garth GitHub App and click Install. Sign in to GitHub if prompted.
Garth GitHub App installation steps shown in the Garth dashboard

The Garth dashboard lists the installation steps and links out to GitHub

5

Choose your workspace

Select the GitHub organization or personal account where Garth should be installed.
If your organization does not appear, verify you have the correct administrative rights and check your GitHub App installation settings.
6

Configure repository scope

Choose which repositories Garth can access:
  • All repositories — installs Garth on every current and future repository.
  • Select repositories — restricts Garth to specific projects you choose manually.
Garth requires read/write access to pull requests and checks to post code reviews. Your source code is never stored on Garth’s servers.
Click Install to apply.
7

Activate with your API key

After clicking Install, you are redirected to the Garth platform. Enter the API key you created earlier to complete the activation.
8

Start reviewing

Setup is complete. Open or update a pull request in any tracked repository to see Garth’s automated AI reviews in action.

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Troubleshooting

If you cannot install the Garth GitHub App:
  1. Verify owner-level access — confirm you have Owner permissions for the organization or repository.
  2. Check organization settings — some organizations restrict third-party app installations; an organization owner may need to approve Garth before installation succeeds.
  3. Re-trigger the installation — return to the Garth GitHub App page and attempt the installation again.
  4. Contact your GitHub admin — if organization policies block app installations, your GitHub organization administrator must grant approval.
If Garth is installed but not reviewing pull requests:
  1. Confirm repository scope — verify the repository is included under All repositories or is explicitly listed under Select repositories in your App installation settings.
  2. Check API key activation — ensure you completed the API key activation step after installing the GitHub App.
  3. Verify pull request events — Garth triggers on newly opened or updated pull requests. Re-open the PR or push a new commit to trigger a review.
To change which repositories Garth can access after installation:
  1. Open organization settings — in GitHub, go to your organization’s Settings.
  2. Navigate to GitHub Apps — under Third-party Access, select GitHub Apps.
  3. Locate GarthPRAgent — find the installed GarthPRAgent app and click Configure.
  4. Update repository access — in the Repository access section, add or remove repositories as needed, then Save.
Only one GitHub connection can be active at a time. To move from the App to a token:
  1. Uninstall the Garth GitHub App — in GitHub, open your organization’s Settings → Third-party Access → GitHub Apps, find GarthPRAgent, and uninstall it.
  2. Wait a few minutes and reload Settings → Integrations in Garth.
  3. Connect the token — follow GitHub via PAT.
If you receive authentication or permission errors:
  1. Re-authenticate — log out and back into the Garth dashboard and retry connecting your GitHub account.
  2. Regenerate your API key — go to Developer → API Keys in Garth, revoke the old key, and create a new one.
  3. Reinstall the GitHub App — uninstall and reinstall the Garth GitHub App from your GitHub organization settings.
  4. Check SSO enforcement — if your organization uses SAML SSO, you may need to authorize the Garth GitHub App for SSO access from your GitHub personal settings.