GitHub CLI 2.85.0

Released: 2026-01-14

Release notes

FEATURE

Browse straight to Actions

When you want to inspect GitHub Actions—the service that runs automated tests, builds, or deployments—from the terminal, gh browse now has an --actions flag. A flag is an option added to a command to change what it opens, and this one sends the browse command to the Actions page instead of making you start on a repository page and switch tabs. The notes only add this shortcut; they do not claim to change what workflows do or produce. Like adding a direct elevator button for the parking garage: same destination, fewer buttons.

FEATURE

Use a Git remote name to choose the default repository

When setting the default repository with gh repo set-default, you can now name a Git remote, such as origin. That helps people who already gave one codebase several remote destinations choose the default by the label they recognize. The notes do not say the command will create or rewrite any remotes for you. It is like choosing an existing “work” or “personal” label in an address book instead of copying the full address again.

BUGFIX

Unexpected project data no longer makes the tool stop abruptly

When working with GitHub project data, null project items—places where an item exists but has no readable value—will no longer trigger a panic, an abrupt program stop when it cannot handle an error. This is a repair to an existing path, not a new project-management feature. The same release also corrected the Debian CLI package link in the installation guide, sending readers to the right place. Like a clerk skipping a blank box on a form and continuing, while the sign at the entrance is pointed the right way.

FEATURE

Release tooling and underlying dependencies received maintenance

You do not need to change any everyday command, but this release updated OAuth, signing, build verification, and several Go dependencies. It also maintained CI, the automated checking and packaging process: GoReleaser was upgraded, Azure Code Signing details changed, build jobs gained tags, and Windows temporary-tag creation received an explicit shell. Extension workflow templates also update actions/checkout. The notes do not claim a new terminal feature, so this is best read as ongoing care for the release factory. Like maintaining a warehouse’s sealers, sorting rules, and spare parts while the kinds of parcels it sends remain the same.

Original changelog

Original changelogBrowse straight to Actions
Add gh browse --actions flag by @rneatherway in https://github.com/cli/cli/pull/12091
Original changelogUse a Git remote name to choose the default repository
feat: allow git remote names in gh repo set-default by @majiayu000 in https://github.com/cli/cli/pull/12377
@majiayu000 made their first contribution in https://github.com/cli/cli/pull/12377
Original changelogUnexpected project data no longer makes the tool stop abruptly
Fix Debian CLI package link in installation guide by @andyfeller in https://github.com/cli/cli/pull/12291
fix: prevent panic when processing null project items by @chrishenzie in https://github.com/cli/cli/pull/12324
@chrishenzie made their first contribution in https://github.com/cli/cli/pull/12324
Original changelogRelease tooling and underlying dependencies received maintenance
chore: upgrade to `cli/oauth@v1.2.1`  by @babakks in https://github.com/cli/cli/pull/12337
ci: upgrade to GoReleaser `v2` by @babakks in https://github.com/cli/cli/pull/12318
CI: Update Azure Code Signing client to 1.0.95 by @BagToad in https://github.com/cli/cli/pull/12424
CI: Update Azure Code Signing endpoint URL by @BagToad in https://github.com/cli/cli/pull/12425
ci: tag per build job by @babakks in https://github.com/cli/cli/pull/12428
CI: Add shell specification for temporary tag creation on Windows by @BagToad in https://github.com/cli/cli/pull/12429
Bump sigstore-go to v1.1.4 by @williammartin in https://github.com/cli/cli/pull/12289
Update actions/checkout to v6 in extension workflow templates by @fchimpan in https://github.com/cli/cli/pull/12393
ci: enable noop linters by @babakks in https://github.com/cli/cli/pull/12440
chore(deps): bump golang.org/x/sync from 0.18.0 to 0.19.0 by @dependabot[bot] in https://github.com/cli/cli/pull/12274
chore(deps): bump golang.org/x/text from 0.31.0 to 0.32.0 by @dependabot[bot] in https://github.com/cli/cli/pull/12281
chore(deps): bump golang.org/x/term from 0.37.0 to 0.38.0 by @dependabot[bot] in https://github.com/cli/cli/pull/12282
chore(deps): bump github.com/spf13/cobra from 1.10.1 to 1.10.2 by @dependabot[bot] in https://github.com/cli/cli/pull/12255
chore(deps): bump github.com/gdamore/tcell/v2 from 2.13.1 to 2.13.2 by @dependabot[bot] in https://github.com/cli/cli/pull/12262
chore(deps): bump golangci/golangci-lint-action from 9.1.0 to 9.2.0 by @dependabot[bot] in https://github.com/cli/cli/pull/12252
chore(deps): bump github.com/gdamore/tcell/v2 from 2.13.2 to 2.13.4 by @dependabot[bot] in https://github.com/cli/cli/pull/12302
chore(deps): bump golang.org/x/crypto from 0.45.0 to 0.46.0 by @dependabot[bot] in https://github.com/cli/cli/pull/12300
chore(deps): bump actions/attest-build-provenance from 3.0.0 to 3.1.0 by @dependabot[bot] in https://github.com/cli/cli/pull/12339
chore(deps): bump github.com/yuin/goldmark from 1.7.13 to 1.7.16 by @dependabot[bot] in https://github.com/cli/cli/pull/12452
@fchimpan made their first contribution in https://github.com/cli/cli/pull/12393