Improve defaults for close older issues #357

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1. github-actions commented on Feb 21, 2026

   

   github-actionsBot

   on Feb 21, 2026 – with GitHub Actions

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   This issue looks like a duplicate of #354 and may be safe to close.

   Possible duplicates:

   • Make the close older issue option for scheduled reports configurable #354 — it requests making auto-closing older scheduled-report issues configurable, which matches the same behavior and scope described in this issue.

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2. github-actions commented on Feb 21, 2026

   

   github-actionsBot

   on Feb 21, 2026 – with GitHub Actions

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   TL;DR: #355 solves configurability, but the default should be split by workflow type (keep true for “single rolling report” workflows, switch to false for most detector/auditor workflows) to avoid auto-closing distinct findings.

   Recommendation

   Update PR #355 (or a follow-up) to use workflow-specific defaults instead of default: true everywhere. I recommend:

   • Default false for detector/auditor-style workflows (gh-aw-text-auditor, gh-aw-code-duplication-detector, gh-aw-breaking-change-detector, gh-aw-bug-hunter, gh-aw-docs-patrol*, gh-aw-flaky-test-investigator, gh-aw-newbie-contributor-patrol*, and likely gh-aw-scheduled-audit).
   • Keep default true for “rolling status” workflows where only the latest report is usually desired (gh-aw-project-summary, gh-aw-performance-profiler, gh-aw-stale-issues, gh-aw-downstream-health, gh-aw-agent-suggestions).

   Findings

   • Current main branch hardcodes closing older issues in scheduled report workflows, e.g.:
     • .github/workflows/gh-aw-scheduled-audit.md:85
     • .github/workflows/gh-aw-project-summary.md:78
     • .github/workflows/gh-aw-text-auditor.md:102
   • There is precedent for intentionally preserving issue history: .github/workflows/agent-deep-dive.md:59 uses close-older-issues: false.
   • Issue Make the close older issue option for scheduled reports configurable #354 requested configurability and PR Make close-older-issues configurable for scheduled report workflows #355 implements it, but PR Make close-older-issues configurable for scheduled report workflows #355 currently sets default: true for all 15 scheduled workflows (verified from PR file patches), which keeps behavior skewed toward auto-closing even for detector/auditor use cases.
   • Improve defaults for close older issues #357 is not a duplicate of Make the close older issue option for scheduled reports configurable #354: Make the close older issue option for scheduled reports configurable #354 asks for configurability; Improve defaults for close older issues #357 asks for better defaults.

   Verification

   I verified current behavior and PR direction with repo scans and PR file inspection:

   $ rg -n "close-older-issues\s*:" .github/workflows
   ... gh-aw-scheduled-audit.md:85:    close-older-issues: true
   ... gh-aw-project-summary.md:78:    close-older-issues: true
   ... gh-aw-text-auditor.md:102:    close-older-issues: true
   ... (19 workflow files total; most scheduled report workflows are `true`)
   
   $ python (scan PR #355 get_files payload patches)
   .github/workflows/gh-aw-agent-suggestions.md default_true_added= True
   .github/workflows/gh-aw-breaking-change-detector.md default_true_added= True
   ...
   .github/workflows/gh-aw-text-auditor.md default_true_added= True

   Detailed Action Plan

   1. In .github/workflows/gh-aw-*.md files touched by Make close-older-issues configurable for scheduled report workflows #355, keep close-older-issues as an input but change default: per workflow intent (detector/auditor vs rolling summary).
   2. Regenerate lock files (make compile) so GH_AW_SAFE_OUTPUTS_HANDLER_CONFIG reflects the new defaults in .lock.yml outputs.
   3. Update README input tables for each affected workflow in gh-agent-workflows/*/README.md to document default behavior and when to override.
   4. Add one short policy note in gh-agent-workflows/scheduled-audit/README.md clarifying default selection guidance (“open historical findings” vs “single latest report”).
   5. Validate with make lint-workflows and spot-check compiled lock files for representative workflows.

   Related Items

   Type	Link	Relevance
   Issue	#357	Current request: improve defaults
   Issue	#354	Earlier request: make configurable
   PR	#355	Implements configurability; currently defaults all to true
   File	.github/workflows/gh-aw-scheduled-audit.md:85	Base scheduled audit currently auto-closes older issues
   File	.github/workflows/gh-aw-project-summary.md:78	Example workflow where true default is likely still appropriate
   File	.github/workflows/agent-deep-dive.md:59	Existing precedent for close-older-issues: false

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3. strawgate

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   strawgate

   on Feb 21, 2026
4. strawgate

   closed this as completedin #358on Feb 22, 2026