Automating Repository Management in Github and Azure Devops With Powershell

Working in large enterprise environments often means managing a complex landscape of repositories across multiple GitHub organizations and Azure DevOps projects. Keeping these repositories up to date—especially when working with multiple engineering teams—can be a daunting task. That’s where automation comes in.

To simplify this, I’ve developed a consolidated PowerShell script that combines the functionality of my previous scripts into one:

• Update-Repos.ps1

This script helps automate the process of cloning and updating repositories, making it significantly easier to manage a large number of repos efficiently.

A Small Part of a Larger PowerShell Toolkit

This script is just a tiny piece of a broader collection of PowerShell snippets and scripts that I develop, use, and refine during my global engagements. I maintain a whole Scripts repository where I collect and publish various automation tools that help streamline workflows in enterprise environments. Feel free to explore and use them!

A Unified Solution for GitHub & Azure DevOps

The Update-Repos.ps1 script is designed to streamline repository management by:

• Retrieving a list of repositories from GitHub organizations and Azure DevOps projects
• Cloning repositories if they don’t already exist locally
• Updating repositories that are already cloned
• Ensuring local repositories stay in sync with remote changes

Why This is Essential

When working with multiple repositories across teams, keeping everything updated manually is tedious and error-prone. This script allows you to automate the process, ensuring that all your repositories are always up to date, regardless of whether they are hosted on GitHub or Azure DevOps.

Key Features

• Supports both GitHub and Azure DevOps repositories
• Retrieves repository lists dynamically
• Clones repositories if they don’t exist
• Updates existing repositories to stay in sync with remote changes
• Reduces manual effort, allowing teams to focus on development

Example Usage:

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# Get all Azure Verified Modules Terraform Repos
$tfrepos = gh repo list azure -L 5000 --json name --jq '.[].name' | Select-String -Pattern "terraform-azurerm-avm"

# Update all GitHub Repos
Update-Repos -destinationFolder . -organization Azure -repos $tfrepos

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# Azure DevOps
Update-Repos -destinationFolder . -organization "<ADO_ORG>" -pat "<PAT>"

This ensures that all repositories from the specified GitHub organization or Azure DevOps project are cloned or updated in the designated directory.

Why This Script Matters in Enterprise Development

Managing multiple repositories is a challenge in enterprise settings, particularly when working across teams and organizations. Update-Repos.ps1 simplifies this process by:

• Saving time by automating repo management tasks
• Reducing errors associated with manual updates
• Improving efficiency in complex multi-repo environments
• Enhancing collaboration across distributed teams

This script has been an invaluable tool in my daily work, and I highly recommend integrating it into your workflow if you manage repositories across GitHub and Azure DevOps.

You can check out the script here:

• Update-Repos.ps1

If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to reach out!