GitHub supports special keywords that allow issues to be closed automatically when a pull request or commit is merged into the default branch, such as main. This functionality helps maintain cleaner workflows and better issue tracking.

Common Keywords for Auto-Closing

The following keywords, when used in a pull request description or commit message, will automatically close the referenced issue once the code is merged:

​ • fixes #1

​ • closes #1

​ • resolves #1

Example:

Fixes #42 by updating the caching strategy.

Multiple issues can also be referenced in the same statement:

Closes #5, resolves #7, and fixes #9.

Referencing Without Closing

To create links between issues and pull requests without triggering auto-close, use general references such as:

​ • Related to #2

​ • See also: #3

​ • Blocked by #4

These references do not close any issues but appear in the sidebar for better visibility and traceability.

Notes on Behavior

​ • Auto-closing only occurs when the pull request is merged into the default branch.

​ • Keywords must be in the pull request description or the commit message that is part of the merge.

​ • Comments or discussion threads do not trigger automatic closing, even if keywords are present.

Summary

Using GitHub’s built-in keyword system enhances automation and keeps issue lists up to date with minimal manual intervention. Including the appropriate keywords ensures that completed work is properly tracked and linked.