From 8129ad0eaa019b375ecbc40fdbeaa0c6d4faeec4 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: jbranchaud <jbranchaud@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 2026 22:50:13 -0500
Subject: [PATCH] Add Set Repository Secret From CLI as a GitHub Actions TIL

---
 README.md                                     |  3 +-
 .../set-repository-secret-from-cli.md         | 31 +++++++++++++++++++
 2 files changed, 33 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)
 create mode 100644 github-actions/set-repository-secret-from-cli.md

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index cc4360f..2779134 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ working across different projects via [VisualMode](https://www.visualmode.dev/).
 
 For a steady stream of TILs, [sign up for my newsletter](https://visualmode.kit.com/newsletter).
 
-_1887 TILs and counting..._
+_1888 TILs and counting..._
 
 See some of the other learning resources I work on:
 
@@ -495,6 +495,7 @@ If you've learned something here, support my efforts writing daily TILs by
 - [Disable A Workflow With The gh CLI](github-actions/disable-a-workflow-with-the-gh-cli.md)
 - [Reference An Encrypted Secret In An Action](github-actions/reference-an-encrypted-secret-in-an-action.md)
 - [Run Schedule Action To Commit Regular Updates](github-actions/run-scheduled-action-to-commit-regular-updates.md)
+- [Set Repository Secret From CLI](github-actions/set-repository-secret-from-cli.md)
 - [Trigger A Workflow Via An API Call](github-actions/trigger-a-workflow-via-an-api-call.md)
 - [Use Labels To Block PR Merge](github-actions/use-labels-to-block-pr-merge.md)
 
diff --git a/github-actions/set-repository-secret-from-cli.md b/github-actions/set-repository-secret-from-cli.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8d1857b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/github-actions/set-repository-secret-from-cli.md
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+# Set Repository Secret From CLI
+
+I set up a GitHub Action that will run daily and potentially push data up to a
+3rd-party API. To be able to post to that API, the action must include a secret
+as the bearer token in the requests. I need to securely include that secret in
+the GitHub Actions environment for this repo.
+
+I can do that from the CLI with `gh` like so:
+
+```bash
+❯ gh secret set TIL_SYNC_TOKEN
+? Paste your secret: ****************************************************************
+```
+
+Notice that it prompts me for the secret and stars out what I paste in. That way
+the secret doesn't end up in my bash history and isn't visible on my screen.
+
+After I've run this, I can see that the secret is set by opening up the repo in
+the GitHub web UI, clicking on _Settings_ > _Secrets and Variables_ > _Actions_.
+I should see `TIL_SYNC_TOKEN` listed under the _Repository Secrets_ section.
+
+Here is an excerpt from my workflow action sync script where that secret is
+referenced -- notice the `${{ secrets.TIL_SYNC_TOKEN }}`.
+
+```yaml
+      - name: Sync posts
+        env:
+          TIL_SYNC_URL: ${{ vars.TIL_SYNC_URL }}
+          TIL_SYNC_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.TIL_SYNC_TOKEN }}
+        run: ruby script/til_sync/til_sync.rb --repo til ${{ inputs.all && '--all' || '--days 3' }}
+```