Want to simplify your workflow and keep your team in sync? Connecting Asana with GitHub allows you to link project management tasks with code repositories seamlessly. Here’s what you’ll gain and how to set it up:
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Key Benefits:
- Automatic updates: Sync Asana tasks with GitHub issues in real time.
- Improved tracking: Monitor project progress without switching tools.
- Automation: Link pull requests, commits, and code reviews to Asana tasks.
- Fewer meetings: Get updates directly in Asana, saving time.
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Setup Overview:
- Ensure admin access for both Asana and GitHub accounts.
- Enable API access and prepare tokens for secure integration.
- Configure task synchronization, workflow automation, and field mapping.
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Quick Tips:
- Use custom templates for consistent task creation.
- Automate repetitive tasks with rules.
- Avoid common issues like sync delays or duplicate entries by checking permissions and API limits.
This guide covers everything you need to know, from setup to troubleshooting, so you can make the most of this integration. Let’s get started!
Integrate Asana and GitHub with Unito
Before You Start
Make sure you have everything you need before diving into the integration process.
Account Requirements
You’ll need the following:
- Asana Account: An active account with admin or project manager permissions.
- GitHub Account: A GitHub account with admin access to repositories.
- Organization Access: Admin rights in both tools to set up the connection.
- Authentication Tokens: Managed API tokens for secure integration.
Compatible Plans
The features available depend on your subscription levels for Asana and GitHub:
| Plan Type | Asana | GitHub | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Free | Free | Basic issue syncing only |
| Professional | Premium ($13.49/user/month) | Team ($4/user/month) | Full task sync, automated updates |
| Enterprise | Enterprise (Custom) | Enterprise (Custom) | Advanced security, custom workflows |
Setup Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure you’re ready to go:
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Verify Account Access
- Confirm admin access in Asana.
- Check repository permissions in GitHub.
- Test your ability to modify workspace settings.
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Prepare Your Workspace
- Set up dedicated projects in Asana.
- Organize GitHub repositories for integration.
- Document the workflow you plan to implement.
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Technical Requirements
- Enable API access for both platforms.
- Whitelist necessary domains in your firewall settings.
- Ensure both tools are updated to their latest versions.
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Team Communication
- Inform your team and schedule any necessary training.
- Share documentation of your planned workflow process.
Having these steps completed will help make the integration process smooth and efficient.
Setup Instructions
Linking Your Accounts
To connect Asana and GitHub, follow these steps:
- Go to Asana’s Apps & Integrations section.
- Search for GitHub and click on Connect GitHub.
- Grant the required permissions and select the repositories you want to link.
If you’re an enterprise user, your organization may require additional security steps through its SSO provider. Once the accounts are connected, adjust your sync settings to keep updates in sync.
Setting Up Sync Options
Set up sync options to streamline your workflows:
1. Task Synchronization
Enable two-way sync for task statuses, comments, assignments, and automatic task creation.
2. Workflow Automation
Set up rules for automating updates, issue triggers, pull request alerts, and sprint planning.
3. Field Mapping
Align fields between Asana and GitHub for consistent data flow:
| Asana Field | GitHub Field | Sync Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Task Name | Issue Title | Two-way |
| Description | Issue Body | Two-way |
| Due Date | Milestone Due Date | Asana → GitHub |
| Custom Fields | Labels | Two-way |
Checking Your Setup
Make sure everything is working by performing these checks:
- Create a test task in Asana and confirm it shows up in GitHub.
- Update a status in GitHub and verify the change reflects in Asana.
- Test notifications to ensure they work both ways.
Monitor the integration for 24 hours to catch and fix any issues. Pay close attention to:
- Timing of task creation
- Delays in status updates
- Comment synchronization
- Accuracy of assignments
If problems arise, check the integration logs in both Asana and GitHub. Most issues can be fixed by refreshing the connection or updating permissions.
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Main Integration Features
Once the integration is set up, here’s what you can do:
Task and Issue Sync
Keep Asana tasks and GitHub issues in sync. Any changes to titles or descriptions will automatically update on both platforms, ensuring everyone stays on the same page.
Status Updates
Match status changes between Asana and GitHub effortlessly. You can even set up custom mappings to fit your team’s specific workflow.
Pull Request Links
Connect pull requests directly to Asana tasks. This brings code changes and project details together, making reviews smoother and more organized.
Usage Tips and Guidelines
Workflow Tips
Here are some practical ways to improve your Asana-GitHub integration:
- Use custom task templates in Asana: Set up templates that automatically include GitHub issue fields. This keeps things consistent and cuts down on manual data entry. For instance, you can create templates for bug reports, feature requests, or code reviews, with fields that directly map to GitHub labels.
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Set up automation rules: Save time by automating repetitive tasks. For example:
- Update Asana task progress when a GitHub pull request status changes.
- Move Asana tasks to specific sections based on GitHub issue labels.
- Automatically assign tasks when pull requests are created.
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Adopt clear naming conventions: Make tasks and issues easier to track by including key identifiers like:
- Project prefixes (e.g., "FE" for frontend).
- Task types (e.g., "BUG" or "FEATURE").
- Sprint numbers or versions (e.g., "SP23" or "v2.5").
Once your workflow is set up, you may encounter some common integration issues. Here’s how to handle them.
Common Problems and Solutions
Keep your integration running smoothly by addressing these common issues:
- Sync Delays: If updates between Asana and GitHub are slow, check your GitHub webhook settings. Make sure your organization’s firewall isn’t blocking webhook calls. Most delays resolve within 5–15 minutes once the webhook is functioning correctly.
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Access Permission Errors: If team members can’t view linked items, ensure:
- GitHub repository permissions align with Asana project permissions.
- OAuth tokens are up-to-date (they expire every 60 days).
- Team members have appropriate roles in both tools.
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Missing Updates: If changes aren’t syncing:
- Confirm that bi-directional sync is enabled.
- Ensure tasks or issues follow the correct format for syncing.
- Check whether the integration has exceeded API rate limits (usually 5,000 requests per hour).
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Duplicate Items: To avoid duplicates:
- Use unique identifiers in task titles.
- Enable the "prevent duplicate creation" feature.
- Create new items in only one platform to reduce redundancy.
For any unresolved issues, review the activity logs in both Asana and GitHub. These logs often contain detailed error messages to help pinpoint the problem.
Summary and Resources
Key Takeaways
- Account Setup: Ensure you have admin rights and the correct subscriptions for both Asana and GitHub.
- Sync Configuration: Establish two-way sync, check webhook settings, and stay mindful of API limits.
- Permissions: Keep permissions consistent, refresh OAuth tokens regularly, and confirm team roles are aligned.
- Workflow Tips: Leverage custom templates, automation rules, and clear naming practices to streamline processes.
Looking to improve your integration? Check out these resources:
Helpful Tools
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Documentation and Support:
- Asana Developer Portal: Dive into API documentation and integration tutorials.
- GitHub Documentation Hub: Find guides on webhook setup and authentication.
- Stack Overflow‘s Asana-GitHub Tag: Browse community solutions for common issues.
- Professional Services: OneNine offers services like security monitoring, performance tuning, content management, and full-stack development.
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Monitoring Tools:
- GitHub’s Status Page: Keep tabs on API availability.
- Asana System Status: Check the health of integration services.
- API Analytics Platforms: Monitor usage and manage API limits effectively.
