slash-commands: restrict /lgtm to core maintainers, add auto-merge

/lgtm now only accepts members of always-allow-teams (core-maintainers
by default) — CODEOWNERS no longer grants /lgtm authorization. /hold
and /stageblog keep the team-or-CODEOWNERS rule.

On a successful /lgtm the action now:
- adds the accepted label (renamed from approved)
- submits the bot APPROVE review
- enables auto-merge (new)

Auto-merge is disabled on /lgtm cancel and on push invalidation. If the
PR is already mergeable when auto-merge is enabled, the action merges
directly instead.

This shifts the merge gate from the slash-commands/approval commit
status to GitHub's native required-reviews + auto-merge. The commit
status is now optional (set status-context to empty to skip). The
status sub-action is documented as optional for callers who want to
keep status-check-based gating.

New inputs: enable-auto-merge (default true), auto-merge-method
(default squash).

README.md

@@ -9,5 +9,5 @@ GitHub Actions relevant to the management of MCP repositories.
 | [`cloudflare-pages-preview/deploy`](cloudflare-pages-preview/README.md) | Deploy a static HTML directory to Cloudflare Pages under a per-PR branch alias, inject noindex headers, and post a sticky PR comment with preview URLs |
 | [`cloudflare-pages-preview/cleanup`](cloudflare-pages-preview/README.md) | Delete Cloudflare Pages deployments for a closed PR's branch alias and update the sticky comment |
 | [`hugo-build`](hugo-build/README.md) | Install Go + Hugo extended and build a Hugo site (preview or production mode) |
-| [`slash-commands`](slash-commands/README.md) | Handle `/lgtm`, `/hold`, and `/stageblog` PR slash commands gated by team membership + CODEOWNERS; invalidate approval on push |
+| [`slash-commands`](slash-commands/README.md) | Handle `/lgtm` (core-maintainers only: label + approve + auto-merge), `/hold`, and `/stageblog` PR slash commands; invalidate approval on push |
-| [`slash-commands/status`](slash-commands/README.md#slash-commandsstatus-sub-action) | Set a pending/success/failure commit status based on approval/hold labels — yellow pending check until `/lgtm`, not red |
+| [`slash-commands/status`](slash-commands/README.md#slash-commandsstatus-sub-action) | _Optional:_ set a pending/failure commit status for callers using status-check-based gating instead of required-reviews + auto-merge |

slash-commands/README.md

@@ -8,17 +8,19 @@ CODEOWNERS.
 
 Listens for PR comments and push events, then:
 
-- **`/lgtm`** — if the commenter is a core maintainer _or_ a CODEOWNER of the
+- **`/lgtm`** — **core maintainers only** (`always-allow-teams`). Adds an
-  PR's changed files, adds an `approved` label and submits a bot **APPROVE**
+  `accepted` label, submits a bot **APPROVE** review on behalf of the team,
-  review with body "Approved on behalf of @user via `/lgtm`."
+  and **enables auto-merge**. The PR merges automatically once all required
-- **`/lgtm cancel`** — removes the `approved` label and dismisses the bot
+  checks pass. CODEOWNERS does _not_ grant `/lgtm` authorization.
-  review.
+- **`/lgtm cancel`** — removes the `accepted` label, dismisses the bot review,
+  and disables auto-merge.
 - **`/lgtm force`** — same as `/lgtm`, but **only** members of
   `force-allow-teams` (default: core + lead maintainers) may use it, and it
   **bypasses the self-approval guard**. Intended as an escape hatch for
   maintainers who need to approve their own PRs. The bot review body notes
   the approval came via `/lgtm force`.
-- **`/hold`** — adds a `do-not-merge/hold` label (same authorization rule).
+- **`/hold`** — adds a `do-not-merge/hold` label. Core maintainers _or_
+  CODEOWNERS of the PR's changed files may use this.
 - **`/hold cancel`** or **`/unhold`** — removes the hold label.
 - **`/stageblog`** — if the PR touches any blog paths (default `blog/**`),
   dispatches a caller-defined `workflow_dispatch` workflow passing the PR
@@ -26,27 +28,36 @@ Listens for PR comments and push events, then:
   letting maintainers manually stage blog previews for fork PRs (where the
   normal `pull_request`-triggered preview workflow can't access secrets).
   Disabled unless `stageblog-workflow` is set.
-- **New commits pushed** — removes the `approved` label, dismisses the bot
+- **New commits pushed** — removes the `accepted` label, dismisses the bot
-  review, and posts a brief comment asking for re-approval.
+  review, disables auto-merge, and posts a brief comment asking for
+  re-approval.
 
 Commands are parsed from the **first line** of the comment (case-insensitive,
 must match `^/cmd\b`). Unauthorized attempts, or a PR author trying to `/lgtm`
 their own PR, receive a 👎 reaction with no further noise. Successful commands
 receive a 👍 reaction.
 
-The action writes a commit status (`slash-commands/approval` by default) after
+### Merge gate
-each label mutation — this is the merge gate. Mark it as a required status
+
-check in branch protection. The commit status can **only** be set to `success`
+The primary merge gate is **GitHub's native required-reviews rule** plus
-by an authorized `/lgtm`; manually adding the `approved` label through the
+**auto-merge**: configure branch protection to require at least one approving
-GitHub UI has no effect on the gate. The caller workflow pairs this with the
+review, and enable "Allow auto-merge" in repo Settings. `/lgtm` then satisfies
-`slash-commands/status` sub-action, which sets the status to `pending` on open
+the review requirement and turns on auto-merge; the PR merges as soon as CI
-and on every push (fresh SHA = fresh approval needed).
+passes. Manually adding the `accepted` label in the GitHub UI has no effect —
+the gate is the review, not the label.
+
+An optional commit status (`slash-commands/approval`) is also written for
+callers who prefer status-check-based gating — set `status-context: ''` to
+disable it. See the [`slash-commands/status` sub-action](#slash-commandsstatus-sub-action)
+if you want to use the status-check flow instead of auto-merge.
 
 ## Prerequisites
 
-- The `approved` and `do-not-merge/hold` labels **must already exist** in the
+- **Allow auto-merge** must be enabled in the caller repo
+  (Settings → General → Pull Requests → Allow auto-merge).
+- The `accepted` and `do-not-merge/hold` labels **must already exist** in the
   caller repo (the action does not auto-create them). Suggested colors:
-  `approved` → `#0e8a16`, `do-not-merge/hold` → `#d93f0b`.
+  `accepted` → `#0e8a16`, `do-not-merge/hold` → `#d93f0b`.
 - A CODEOWNERS file at `.github/CODEOWNERS` (or pass a different path via
   `codeowners-path`). Without one, only `always-allow-teams` members can act.
 
@@ -127,19 +138,15 @@ jobs:
       - uses: modelcontextprotocol/actions/slash-commands@main
         with:
           github-token: ${{ secrets.SLASH_COMMANDS_TOKEN }}
-          always-allow-teams: core-maintainers,lead-maintainers
+          # auto-merge-method: squash  # default; also: merge, rebase
           # stageblog-workflow: stage-blog.yml  # uncomment to enable /stageblog
-
-  # Merge-gate commit status. Mark `slash-commands/approval` as a required
-  # status check in branch protection. This stays pending (yellow) until
-  # /lgtm adds the approved label — no red ❌ on fresh PRs.
-  status:
-    if: github.event_name == 'pull_request_target'
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    steps:
-      - uses: modelcontextprotocol/actions/slash-commands/status@main
 ```
 
+**Branch protection settings** for this flow: enable _Require a pull request
+before merging_ → _Require approvals_ (1), and _Allow auto-merge_ in repo
+Settings. The bot's APPROVE review satisfies the requirement and auto-merge
+handles the rest.
+
 ### Enabling `/stageblog` — companion workflow
 
 When `stageblog-workflow` is set, you also need a separate workflow in the
@@ -191,14 +198,16 @@ jobs:
 |---|---|---|---|
 | `github-token` | ✅ | — | PAT or App token with `read:org` + repo `contents: read` (+ `actions: write` for `/stageblog`). Used for team membership checks, CODEOWNERS fetch, and workflow dispatch. **Default `GITHUB_TOKEN` will not work** for team checks. |
 | `bot-token` | | `${{ github.token }}` | Token for user-visible side effects (comments, reactions, labels, reviews) — defaults to `GITHUB_TOKEN` so these show as `github-actions[bot]`. Rarely needs overriding. |
-| `approved-label` | | `approved` | Label added by `/lgtm` |
+| `approved-label` | | `accepted` | Label added by `/lgtm` to mark the PR as accepted |
 | `hold-label` | | `do-not-merge/hold` | Label added by `/hold` |
-| `always-allow-teams` | | `core-maintainers` | Comma-separated team slugs (in the repo's org) whose members can `/lgtm` or `/hold` any PR regardless of CODEOWNERS |
+| `always-allow-teams` | | `core-maintainers` | Comma-separated team slugs (in the repo's org) whose members can `/lgtm` any PR. **Only these teams can `/lgtm`** — CODEOWNERS does not grant it. Members may also `/hold`/`/stageblog` any PR. |
 | `force-allow-teams` | | `core-maintainers,lead-maintainers` | Comma-separated team slugs whose members may use `/lgtm force` (bypasses self-approval guard). CODEOWNERS does **not** grant this — only team membership. |
-| `codeowners-path` | | `.github/CODEOWNERS` | Path to CODEOWNERS, fetched from the PR's **base** ref (never head — tamper-proof) |
+| `codeowners-path` | | `.github/CODEOWNERS` | Path to CODEOWNERS, fetched from the PR's **base** ref (never head — tamper-proof). Grants `/hold` and `/stageblog` only, not `/lgtm`. |
-| `invalidate-on-push` | | `'true'` | Remove `approved` label + dismiss bot review + comment when new commits are pushed. Set `'false'` to keep approval across pushes. |
+| `invalidate-on-push` | | `'true'` | Remove `accepted` label + dismiss bot review + disable auto-merge + comment when new commits are pushed. Set `'false'` to keep approval across pushes. |
 | `submit-review` | | `'true'` | Submit a bot APPROVE review alongside the label on `/lgtm`. Set `'false'` to use label only. |
-| `status-context` | | `slash-commands/approval` | Commit-status context written after each label mutation. Must match the `status` sub-action's `status-context`. Mark this as a required status check in branch protection. |
+| `enable-auto-merge` | | `'true'` | Enable auto-merge after `/lgtm` (disabled on `/lgtm cancel` and push invalidation). Requires repo setting "Allow auto-merge". |
+| `auto-merge-method` | | `squash` | Merge method for auto-merge: `squash`, `merge`, or `rebase` |
+| `status-context` | | `slash-commands/approval` | Optional commit-status context. Set to `''` to disable status writes (recommended when using auto-merge + required reviews as the gate). |
 | `stageblog-workflow` | | _(empty)_ | Workflow file name (e.g. `stage-blog.yml`) to dispatch when `/stageblog` is invoked. Empty = command disabled. The workflow must accept `pr_number` and `head_sha` string inputs. |
 | `stageblog-paths` | | `blog/**` | Comma-separated CODEOWNERS-style glob patterns. `/stageblog` is refused if no changed file matches. |
 
@@ -211,6 +220,11 @@ jobs:
 
 ## `slash-commands/status` sub-action
 
+> **Optional** — only needed if you're using the commit-status merge gate
+> instead of (or alongside) the required-reviews + auto-merge flow. If your
+> branch protection uses required reviews, you can skip this sub-action and
+> set `status-context: ''` on the main action.
+
 Sets the **initial** `pending` commit status when a PR opens, and forces it
 back to `pending` on every push (new SHA = new approval required). Run in a
 `status` job on `pull_request_target` events. Mark the `status-context` value
@@ -275,10 +289,9 @@ Last-match-wins per file, consistent with GitHub's native CODEOWNERS semantics.
   `/lgtm force` escape hatch bypasses this, but is gated strictly to
   `force-allow-teams` membership (CODEOWNERS does not grant it) and the
   review body records that `force` was used.
-- **Manual label bypass** — the commit status (the actual merge gate) is only
+- **Manual label bypass** — the merge gate is the bot's APPROVE review (or,
-  ever set to `success` by the `/lgtm` handler after the auth check passes.
+  in the status-check flow, the commit status), both of which are only written
-  The `status` sub-action sets `pending`/`failure` but never `success`, and the
+  by the `/lgtm` handler after the auth check passes. Adding the `accepted`
-  caller workflow does not trigger on `labeled` events. Adding the `approved`
   label via the GitHub UI is cosmetic.
 - **`/stageblog` SHA pinning** — the dispatch passes `pr.head.sha` captured at
   the moment the maintainer comments. The companion workflow **must** check

slash-commands/action.yml

@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 name: PR Slash Commands
 description: >-
-  Handles /lgtm, /hold, and /stageblog slash commands on PRs. Authorized
+  Handles /lgtm, /hold, and /stageblog slash commands on PRs. Core maintainers
-  users (core maintainers or CODEOWNERS of the PR's changed files) can approve
+  can approve via /lgtm (adds an accepted label, submits a bot APPROVE review,
-  via /lgtm (adds a label + bot APPROVE review), block via /hold, or trigger
+  and enables auto-merge). Core maintainers or CODEOWNERS can block via /hold
-  a blog preview staging workflow via /stageblog. Approval is invalidated when
+  or trigger a blog preview staging workflow via /stageblog. Approval is
-  new commits are pushed.
+  invalidated when new commits are pushed.
 
 inputs:
   github-token:
@@ -25,9 +25,9 @@ inputs:
     required: false
     default: ${{ github.token }}
   approved-label:
-    description: Label added by /lgtm and used by the status job as the merge gate
+    description: Label added by /lgtm to mark the PR as accepted
     required: false
-    default: approved
+    default: accepted
   hold-label:
     description: Label added by /hold to block merging
     required: false
@@ -35,7 +35,8 @@ inputs:
   always-allow-teams:
     description: >-
       Comma-separated team slugs (within the repo's org) whose members may
-      /lgtm or /hold any PR regardless of CODEOWNERS
+      /lgtm any PR. Only these teams can /lgtm — CODEOWNERS does not grant
+      /lgtm authorization. Members may also /hold and /stageblog any PR.
     required: false
     default: core-maintainers
   force-allow-teams:
@@ -61,11 +62,24 @@ inputs:
       Set to 'false' to rely on the label alone.
     required: false
     default: 'true'
+  enable-auto-merge:
+    description: >-
+      Enable auto-merge on the PR after a successful /lgtm. The PR will merge
+      automatically once all required checks pass. Requires the repo to have
+      "Allow auto-merge" enabled in Settings. Disabled on /lgtm cancel and on
+      push invalidation.
+    required: false
+    default: 'true'
+  auto-merge-method:
+    description: Merge method for auto-merge — one of squash, merge, rebase
+    required: false
+    default: squash
   status-context:
     description: >-
-      Commit-status context name written after each label mutation. Must match
+      Commit-status context name written after each label mutation. Set to
-      the status sub-action's status-context so both jobs write to the same
+      empty string to disable status writes (recommended when using
-      check. Mark this context as a required status check in branch protection.
+      enable-auto-merge + required reviews as the merge gate instead). If set,
+      must match the status sub-action's status-context.
     required: false
     default: slash-commands/approval
   stageblog-workflow:
@@ -108,6 +122,8 @@ runs:
         CODEOWNERS_PATH: ${{ inputs.codeowners-path }}
         INVALIDATE_ON_PUSH: ${{ inputs.invalidate-on-push }}
         SUBMIT_REVIEW: ${{ inputs.submit-review }}
+        ENABLE_AUTO_MERGE: ${{ inputs.enable-auto-merge }}
+        AUTO_MERGE_METHOD: ${{ inputs.auto-merge-method }}
         STATUS_CONTEXT: ${{ inputs.status-context }}
         STAGEBLOG_WORKFLOW: ${{ inputs.stageblog-workflow }}
         STAGEBLOG_PATHS: ${{ inputs.stageblog-paths }}

slash-commands/main.js

@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ module.exports = async ({ github, context, core }) => {
   const invalidateOnPush = process.env.INVALIDATE_ON_PUSH === 'true';
   const submitReview = process.env.SUBMIT_REVIEW === 'true';
   const statusContext = process.env.STATUS_CONTEXT;
+  const autoMerge = process.env.ENABLE_AUTO_MERGE === 'true';
+  const autoMergeMethod = process.env.AUTO_MERGE_METHOD.toUpperCase();
   const reviewMarker = '<!-- slash-commands-lgtm -->';
   // `github` is authed with bot-token (defaults to GITHUB_TOKEN) so comments,
   // reactions, labels, and reviews show as github-actions[bot]. The PAT is
@@ -116,14 +118,19 @@ module.exports = async ({ github, context, core }) => {
     return ok;
   }
 
-  async function isAuthorized(user, pr) {
+  async function isInAlwaysAllowTeam(user) {
-    // 1. always-allow teams
     for (const team of alwaysAllowTeams) {
       if (await isTeamMember(user, team)) {
         core.info(`@${user} authorized via always-allow team @${owner}/${team}`);
         return true;
       }
     }
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  async function isAuthorized(user, pr) {
+    // 1. always-allow teams
+    if (await isInAlwaysAllowTeam(user)) return true;
     // 2. CODEOWNERS of the PR's changed files (from BASE ref)
     let content;
     try {
@@ -217,6 +224,7 @@ module.exports = async ({ github, context, core }) => {
   // state=success — the status sub-action deliberately never does, so that a
   // manually-added approved label (triage+ perms suffice) cannot bypass auth.
   async function setCommitStatus(sha, approved, held) {
+    if (!statusContext) return;
     let state, description;
     if (held) {
       state = 'failure';
@@ -233,6 +241,49 @@ module.exports = async ({ github, context, core }) => {
     });
     core.info(`Set commit status ${state} on ${sha.slice(0,7)}: ${description}`);
   }
+  async function enableAutoMerge(prNodeId, prNumber) {
+    if (!autoMerge) return;
+    try {
+      await github.graphql(
+        `mutation($id: ID!, $m: PullRequestMergeMethod!) {
+          enablePullRequestAutoMerge(input: {pullRequestId: $id, mergeMethod: $m}) {
+            pullRequest { autoMergeRequest { enabledAt } }
+          }
+        }`,
+        { id: prNodeId, m: autoMergeMethod },
+      );
+      core.info(`Auto-merge enabled (${autoMergeMethod})`);
+    } catch (e) {
+      const msg = e.message || String(e);
+      // enablePullRequestAutoMerge rejects PRs that are already mergeable
+      // ("clean status") because there is nothing to wait for. Merge directly.
+      if (/clean status/i.test(msg)) {
+        core.info('PR already mergeable — merging directly');
+        await github.rest.pulls.merge({
+          owner, repo, pull_number: prNumber,
+          merge_method: autoMergeMethod.toLowerCase(),
+        });
+      } else {
+        core.warning(`Could not enable auto-merge: ${msg}`);
+      }
+    }
+  }
+  async function disableAutoMerge(prNodeId) {
+    if (!autoMerge) return;
+    try {
+      await github.graphql(
+        `mutation($id: ID!) {
+          disablePullRequestAutoMerge(input: {pullRequestId: $id}) {
+            pullRequest { id }
+          }
+        }`,
+        { id: prNodeId },
+      );
+      core.info('Auto-merge disabled');
+    } catch (e) {
+      core.info(`Auto-merge disable skipped: ${e.message}`);
+    }
+  }
 
   // --- Dispatch ---------------------------------------------------
   const ev = context.eventName;
@@ -245,6 +296,7 @@ module.exports = async ({ github, context, core }) => {
     if (!hasApproved) return setResult('noop');
     await removeLabel(pr.number, approvedLabel);
     await dismissBotApprovals(pr.number, 'New commits pushed — approval invalidated.');
+    await disableAutoMerge(pr.node_id);
     await github.rest.issues.createComment({
       owner, repo, issue_number: pr.number,
       body: `New commits were pushed — removed the \`${approvedLabel}\` label. Re-approve with \`/lgtm\`.`,
@@ -294,6 +346,7 @@ module.exports = async ({ github, context, core }) => {
     if (submitReview) await submitApproval(prNumber, actor, true);
     await react(commentId, '+1');
     await setCommitStatus(pr.head.sha, true, hadHold);
+    await enableAutoMerge(pr.node_id, prNumber);
     return setResult('lgtm-forced', actor);
   }
 
@@ -303,8 +356,13 @@ module.exports = async ({ github, context, core }) => {
     return setResult('self-lgtm-blocked', actor);
   }
 
-  // Auth check (same rule for all commands)
+  // Auth check. /lgtm is restricted to always-allow-teams (core maintainers)
-  if (!(await isAuthorized(actor, pr))) {
+  // only — CODEOWNERS does not grant it. /hold and /stageblog still accept
+  // CODEOWNERS of the PR's changed files.
+  const authorized = cmd === 'lgtm'
+    ? await isInAlwaysAllowTeam(actor)
+    : await isAuthorized(actor, pr);
+  if (!authorized) {
     await react(commentId, '-1');
     return setResult('unauthorized', actor);
   }
@@ -359,11 +417,13 @@ module.exports = async ({ github, context, core }) => {
     if (submitReview) await submitApproval(prNumber, actor);
     await react(commentId, '+1');
     await setCommitStatus(pr.head.sha, true, hadHold);
+    await enableAutoMerge(pr.node_id, prNumber);
     return setResult('lgtm-added', actor);
   }
   if (cmd === 'lgtm' && cancel) {
     await removeLabel(prNumber, approvedLabel);
     await dismissBotApprovals(prNumber, `@${actor} cancelled approval via /lgtm cancel.`);
+    await disableAutoMerge(pr.node_id);
     await react(commentId, '+1');
     await setCommitStatus(pr.head.sha, false, hadHold);
     return setResult('lgtm-removed', actor);