Why I Monitor GitHub Repositories
A GitHub commit represents a snapshot of changes made to files in a repository. I follow several repos closely so I can spot new updates, additions, or experiments as they happen. Being on top of these changes helps me stay up-to-date with ongoing developments—especially in projects I rely on or learn from.
The Problem: Too Many Repos, Too Many Tabs
My workflow includes regularly checking a collection of individually bookmarked repositories for new commits on the main branch. As I continued pulling more content into my Tiny Tiny RSS setup, I found myself wondering: Why am I not doing the same with GitHub commits?
If I could bring those updates into my RSS reader, I’d eliminate the need to manually visit each repo. Less clicking, less checking, more flow.
The Surprise: GitHub Already Makes This Easy
I assumed this would take API keys or some complicated workflow—but it’s actually much simpler. Like many things on GitHub, getting a commit feed is as easy as adding a .atom extension to the end of the commits URL.
Real Example: Monitoring the BCTech Repository
One repo I follow closely is Business Central Tech Samples (BCTech). It’s a space where the Microsoft Business Central R&D team shares prototypes, performance tests, investigations, processes, and other behind-the-scenes work that’s usually kept internal.
It’s an open Invitation for BC developers and enthusiasts to explore, comment, contribute, and suggest topics.
Normally, I check commits through this URL:
https://github.com/microsoft/BCTech/commits/master
To convert it into an RSS feed, all I had to do was append .atom: https://github.com/microsoft/BCTech/commits/master.atom
Then I added that to Tiny Tiny RSS—and that’s it!
The Result: A Smoother, More Efficient Workflow
By pulling GitHub commits directly into my RSS reader, I’ve streamlined even more of my daily routine into a single, unified dashboard. No more tab juggling or manual refreshes. No more manually checking each repo. Just updates, right where I already spend my time.
It’s a small tweak, but it’s had a major impact on my workflow: more efficiency, more clarity, and more time saved. And if you know me, you know I treat time as the currency of life. So let’s keep using simple tools like this to reclaim it—one small improvement at a time.