When formatting a GitHub issue for MvvmCross, following best practices can enhance clarity, efficiency, and collaboration. Here are some detailed guidelines:
1. Descriptive Titles**
Use imperative mood and ensure the title is descriptive enough to convey the purpose of the issue. Avoid ending titles with periods. For example, "Fix Bug in Data Binding" is more effective than "Bug in Data Binding" or "Data Binding Bug."[4][7].2. Clear Overview**
Provide a concise overview of the issue in two lines or less. This should include the main objective or problem being addressed. For instance, "This issue aims to resolve a data binding error causing app crashes on Android devices."[1][4].3. Dependency (if applicable)**
If the issue depends on another issue being resolved first, link to that issue. This helps maintain a clear workflow and ensures that dependent tasks are addressed in the correct order. For example, "This issue depends on [link to dependent issue]."[1].4. Action Items**
Format action items as clickable checklists. This makes it easy to track progress and assign tasks to team members. For example:- [ ] Research the cause of the data binding error.
- [ ] Implement a fix for the identified issue.
- [ ] Test the fix on multiple platforms.[1][4].
5. Resources/Instructions**
Include links to relevant documentation or resources that can aid in resolving the issue. This might include tutorials, API documentation, or previous discussions related to the problem. For instance, "Refer to MvvmCross documentation for guidance on data binding."[1][2].6. Assignees**
Assign the issue to a specific team member. This ensures accountability and clarity on who is responsible for the task. Use the "Assignees" feature in GitHub to assign users.[1].7. Labels**
Apply relevant labels to categorize the issue. This helps in filtering and prioritizing issues within the project. For example, labels might include "bug," "feature," or "enhancement."[1][2].8. Project Board**
Ensure the issue is added to the project board and properly triaged. This involves setting the issue status to "ice box" if it's not ready, "prioritized backlog" if it's ready but unassigned, and "in progress" once assigned.[1].9. Milestones**
Use milestones to track the progress of groups of issues or pull requests. This is particularly useful for larger projects or when tracking multiple related tasks.[1].10. Documentation and Progress Updates**
Regularly update the issue comments with progress or changes. This keeps all stakeholders informed and facilitates collaborative problem-solving.[7].Example of a Well-Formatted Issue
**Title: Fix Data Binding Error on Android Devices
**Overview: This issue addresses a data binding error causing app crashes on Android devices.
**Dependency: Depends on [link to dependent issue].
Action Items:
- [ ] Investigate the cause of the data binding error.
- [ ] Implement a fix based on the findings.
- [ ] Conduct thorough testing across platforms.
**Resources/Instructions: Refer to MvvmCross documentation for data binding guidance.
**Assignees: @username
**Labels: bug, android
By following these guidelines, you can create well-structured GitHub issues that enhance collaboration and efficiency within the MvvmCross project.
Citations:[1] https://www.hackforla.org/guide-pages/github-issues.html
[2] https://github.com/MvvmCross/MvvmCross
[3] https://docs.github.com/en/get-started/writing-on-github/working-with-advanced-formatting/organizing-information-with-tables
[4] https://tilburgsciencehub.com/topics/automation/version-control/start-git/write-good-issues/
[5] https://github.com/MvvmCross/MvvmCross-Samples
[6] https://github.com/MvvmCross/MvvmCross-Samples/blob/master/README.md
[7] https://gitprotect.io/blog/mastering-github-issues-best-practices-and-pro-tips/
[8] https://www.mvvmcross.com/documentation/contributing/mvvmcross-docs-style-guide
[9] https://github.com/MvvmCross/MvvmCross/blob/develop/CONTRIBUTING.md