Auto Apply Labels Not Working in CodeRabbit

[SushmitaMahapatra23]

Description:
I enabled the Auto Apply Labels feature in our organization's CodeRabbit and provided labeling instructions along with the labels. However, no labels are being applied to PRs. Additionally, even after enabling Label Suggestions, no suggested labels are appearing.

Expected Behavior: Labels should be automatically applied or at least suggested based on the provided instructions.

Steps to Reproduce:

Enable Auto Apply Labels in CodeRabbit settings.

Provide labeling instructions along with relevant labels.

Create a PR and check if labels are applied or suggested.

Actual Behavior: No labels are applied, and no suggestions appear.

[linear]

ENG-1084 Auto Apply Labels Not Working in CodeRabbit

[reactive-firewall]

Edit

Important

Disclaimer: I am just a fellow user of CoderabbitAI and have no official association with the project or its maintainers. Any feedback or comments I provide are based on my personal experience and are offered AS-IS. I cannot guarantee their accuracy or effectiveness, and they should not be considered official support or advice. Please reach out to the maintainers for authoritative guidance.

---

Original comment

Label Suggestions are working for me with an .coderabbit.yaml config-file with an entry for labeling_instructions: for existing labels (labels are apparently case-sensitive and must be configured with the exact same name in GitHub too)

Labels are suggested by the coderabbitai bot in the PR review's workflow comment.

@SushmitaMahapatra23 Have you tried adding a .coderabbit.yaml config instead of settings?

Hope this helps

[SushmitaMahapatra23]

@reactive-firewall I have tried with .coderabbit.yaml as well, and checked the label instructions carefully, but still its not suggesting the labels not even applying the labels.
I tried to give the instructions in path based instructions as well.
Attaching the coderabbit review ss and .coderabbit.yaml file used for you ref
Kindly let me know if any other configuration needs to be added for enabling the label feature

.coderabbit.yaml :-

language: en-US
tone_instructions: ''
early_access: false
enable_free_tier: true
auto_resolve_threads: true
reviews:
  profile: chill
  request_changes_workflow: false
  high_level_summary: true
  high_level_summary_placeholder: '@coderabbitai summary'
  high_level_summary_in_walkthrough: false
  auto_title_placeholder: '@coderabbitai'
  auto_title_instructions: ''
  review_status: true
  commit_status: true
  fail_commit_status: false
  collapse_walkthrough: false
  changed_files_summary: true
  sequence_diagrams: true
  assess_linked_issues: true
  related_issues: true
  related_prs: true
  suggested_labels: true
  auto_apply_labels: true
  suggested_reviewers: true
  auto_assign_reviewers: false
  poem: false
  labeling_instructions:
    - label: config-changes
      instructions: >-
        Modifies configuration files or settings.     - **Examples**:         -
        **Backend**:             - Updating database connection parameters in
        the configuration file to point to a new server.             - Modifying
        API rate limits to increase the number of requests per user per
        hour.             - Changing the configuration to support a new caching
        mechanism to improve performance.         - **Web**:             -
        Changing environment variables to switch between development and
        production API endpoints.             - Adjusting configuration for load
        balancing to handle higher traffic during peak hours.             -
        Adding, updating, or removing a route for the website.             -
        Updating the web application configuration to enable or disable certain
        features.         - **Mobile**:             - Changing push notification
        configuration to add support for new mobile platforms (e.g., iOS
        14+).             - Modifying API endpoint configurations for mobile
        environments.             - Updating mobile app configurations to handle
        different environments like staging and production.         -
        **SDET**:             - Updating the test environment configuration to
        match production settings.             - Modifying CI/CD pipeline
        configurations to run tests on a different environment.             -
        Adjusting test configuration files to include new third-party services.
    - label: feature
      instructions: >-
        Adds or enhances functionality.     - **Examples**:         -
        **Backend**:             - Adding a new API endpoint for handling user
        reviews and ratings.             - Implementing a new payment gateway
        integration to support multiple payment methods.             - Adding a
        new feature for tracking user actions and storing analytics
        data.             - When we are rolling out a feature for the 1st time
        to 10 pct, mark it as feature.         - **Web**:             - Adding a
        real-time chat feature on the website to allow customer support
        interactions.             - Implementing a new search filter on the
        product listing page to sort by price, rating, etc.             - Adding
        a new user dashboard to display personalized content and
        activity.         - **Mobile**:             - Introducing a new feature
        for tracking order status in the app.             - Adding a "dark mode"
        option for better usability in low-light conditions.             -
        Implementing an offline mode so users can access content without an
        internet connection.         - **SDET**:             - Developing
        automated tests for a newly added user authentication
        feature.             - Creating test cases to validate the newly
        implemented multi-language support feature.             - Writing tests
        to check the correctness and performance of the newly integrated payment
        gateway.             - Feature addition to framework E.g. iOS support,
        Vernacular support
    - label: non-functional
      instructions: >-
        Improves system attributes such as performance, library upgrades,
        security, dead code removal.     - **Examples:**         -
        **Backend**:             - Refactoring a database query to optimize
        performance by reducing the query execution time.             -
        Upgrading the backend to use a newer version of a third-party library
        for improved security.             - Removing deprecated APIs that are
        no longer in use to improve system maintainability.         -
        **Web**:             - Optimizing CSS and JavaScript files to reduce
        page load time.             - Removing unused assets (images, scripts)
        to improve the website's performance.             - Implementing
        security best practices, such as setting HTTP headers to prevent XSS
        attacks.         - **Mobile**:             - Optimizing memory usage and
        performance for a smoother user experience on lower-end
        devices.             - Refactoring code to improve app launch times by
        reducing the size of the app bundle.             - Updating third-party
        libraries to the latest versions for enhanced security and
        performance.         - **SDET**:             - Refactoring test scripts
        to improve their speed and reduce runtime.             - Removing
        redundant tests to reduce overhead and improve efficiency.             -
        Ensuring that automated tests are properly configured to run in parallel
        to speed up execution.             - Addition, updation or removal of
        log lines from codebase             - Automation Framework utility
        updates for performance, reliability or readability
        improvements             - Refactoring/reorganisation/splitting of
        pageFiles or tests for easier maintenance or execution time optimisation
    - label: rollout
      instructions: ' Manages the rollout of changes.     - **Examples:**         - **Backend**:             - Deploying a new version of the API in a staged manner to ensure minimal impact on users.             - Gradually rolling out a new feature by using feature flags to enable or disable it for different users.             - Rolling out a database schema migration in phases to prevent performance degradation.         - **Web**:             - Gradually rolling out a new user interface across different regions to ensure smooth adoption.             - Using A/B testing to release new features to a small group of users and gather feedback.             - Coordinating a phased deployment of new website functionalities to minimize disruptions.         - **Mobile**:             - Deploying a new mobile app version in waves to ensure minimal impact on users, starting with a small group.             - Using feature flags to gradually enable new features in the mobile app for select users.             - Rolling out an updated version of the app in stages across different countries or regions.'
    - label: hotfix
      instructions: ' Fixes critical production issues urgently, especially due to a change failure.     - **Examples**:         - **Backend**:             - Quickly reverting a database schema change that caused the service to crash.             - Applying a patch to fix a production issue where the authentication system was broken.             - Rolling back a deployment that caused high CPU usage due to a memory leak.         - **Web**:             - Fixing a production issue where the website was down due to an incorrectly deployed feature.             - Reverting a JavaScript change that caused users to be redirected to a 404 page.             - Addressing a critical bug in the payment system that caused transactions to fail.         - **Mobile**:             - Reverting a mobile app update that caused frequent crashes on iOS devices.             - Applying a patch to fix a security vulnerability in the mobile app.             - Addressing a bug that caused app data corruption after a recent update.         - **SDET**:             - Updating test automation scripts to validate that hotfixes are applied correctly in all environments.             - Ensuring that critical paths are covered by test automation after the hotfix is implemented.             - Automation framework and test script issues like not able to create Appium driver session due to recent change made(incl. 3rd party BS changes)'
    - label: bugfix
      instructions: ' Resolves bugs or defects in the code due to a legacy issue or a change.     - **Examples**:         - **Backend**:             - Fixing a bug that causes the user’s session to expire unexpectedly due to an error in the session management logic.             - Resolving an issue where API rate-limiting was incorrectly applied, affecting legitimate requests.             - Fixing a bug that caused data inconsistencies when saving to the database.         - **Web**:             - Resolving a CSS issue that caused layout breaking on smaller screen sizes.             - Fixing a broken JavaScript function that was causing the “Add to Cart” button not to work.             - Addressing a bug in the website that caused users to be logged out after submitting a form.         - **Mobile**:             - Fixing a crash when the mobile app attempts to open the user profile page.             - Resolving a bug where users were unable to save changes to their preferences in the app.             - Fixing a display issue where images were not loading correctly on mobile.         - **SDET**:             - Updating automated tests to account for the new behavior introduced by the bug fix.             - Modifying test scripts to validate that fixed issues no longer cause failures in regression testing.             - Enhancing test coverage to include scenarios related to the fixed bug.             - Also includes framework code issue fixes and test script bug fixes'
  path_filters: []
  path_instructions:
    - path: '**'
      instructions: |
        Code Review Guidelines

        1. **Single Responsibility Principle**
            - Check if each function or class is handling exactly one job.
            - If it’s doing more than one thing, recommend splitting it into smaller, more focused parts.
        2. **Use Function Names for Documentation**
            - Avoid using explanatory comments within function bodies.
            - Prefer clearly named private functions that explain *what* is happening.
        3. **Favor Immutability**
            - Look for places where data classes or objects are being mutated.
            - Suggest using `.copy(...)` to create a new instance when fields must change.
        4. **Decompose Large Methods**
            - Identify any long methods with multiple responsibilities.
            - Suggest extracting sections of code into dedicated private functions.
        5. **Orchestration Stages**
            - Check if the code follows clear stages: validate, prepare, collect, and build final output.
            - If not, advise reorganizing into these distinct phases.
        6. **Utilize Self-Contained Data Classes**
            - If you see code that manually handles related data across multiple variables or fields,recommend creating a small data class (e.g. `VehicleData`) to group them logically.
        7. **Replace Comments with Clear Function Names**
            - When encountering inline comments that describe *what* the code does,recommend creating a private function named accordingly.
        8. **Separate “Check” and “Act”**
            - If a function both evaluates a condition and performs the resulting action,advise splitting it into two functions (e.g., `shouldRemoveVehicle(...)` vs. `removeVehicle(...)`).
        9. **Leverage Kotlin’s Functional Style**
            - In place of manual loops and mutable lists, suggest using `map`, `flatMap`, or `filter`.
            - Look for ways to remove unnecessary mutable state.
        10. **Incremental, Non-Mutating Steps**
            - Recommend building up complex data through multiple steps, returning new data structures rather than mutating existing ones.
            - This makes the code more predictable, testable, and readable.
        11. **Push Object Creation Close to Usage**
            - Whenever you see objects created far away from their usage, suggest moving that creation inside the relevant function.
            - This reduces scope and makes the code simpler.
    - path: '**'
      instructions: >
        **Label Addition Guidelines for Code Review**


        When reviewing a new Pull Request (PR), you must add **exactly one**
        label based on the type of changes introduced.


        ### 1. config-changes

        **Description**: Modifies configuration files or settings.

        - **Backend**: Updating DB connections, modifying API rate limits,
        enabling caching.

        - **Web**: Changing env variables, adjusting load balancing, updating
        routes.

        - **Mobile**: Modifying API configs, adding push notification support.

        - **SDET**: Updating test env configurations, modifying CI/CD pipeline
        settings.


        ### 2. feature

        **Description**: Adds or enhances functionality.

        - **Backend**: New API endpoints, payment gateway integration, tracking
        user actions.

        - **Web**: Real-time chat, search filters, user dashboards.

        - **Mobile**: Order tracking, dark mode, offline mode.

        - **SDET**: Automated tests for new features, test framework
        enhancements.

        - **Rollout Note**: If launching a feature to 10% users for the first
        time, label as "feature."


        ### 3. hotfix

        **Description**: Fixes critical production issues urgently.

        - **Backend**: Reverting schema changes, fixing broken authentication.

        - **Web**: Fixing deployment issues, reverting JavaScript errors.

        - **Mobile**: Rolling back updates causing crashes, fixing security
        vulnerabilities.

        - **SDET**: Ensuring test coverage for hotfixes, fixing automation
        framework failures.


        ### 4. non-functional

        **Description**: Improves performance, security, or removes dead code.

        - **Backend**: Optimizing queries, upgrading libraries, removing
        deprecated APIs.

        - **Web**: Reducing load times, removing unused assets, improving
        security headers.

        - **Mobile**: Memory optimizations, updating third-party libraries.

        - **SDET**: Refactoring tests, improving execution time, logging
        changes.


        ### 5. rollout

        **Description**: Manages the staged release of changes.

        - **Backend**: Feature flags, phased DB migrations.

        - **Web**: A/B testing, regional UI rollouts.

        - **Mobile**: Staggered app releases, gradual feature enablement.


        ### 6. bugfix

        **Description**: Resolves defects caused by legacy issues or recent
        changes.

        - **Backend**: Fixing session expiration, data inconsistencies, API
        errors.

        - **Web**: CSS fixes, JavaScript errors, login/logout issues.

        - **Mobile**: App crashes, broken UI elements, preference-saving issues.

        - **SDET**: Updating test scripts for bug validation, fixing
        framework-related bugs.
  abort_on_close: true
  auto_review:
    enabled: true
    auto_incremental_review: true
    ignore_title_keywords: []
    labels: []
    drafts: false
    base_branches: []
  finishing_touches:
    docstrings:
      enabled: true
  tools:
    ast-grep:
      rule_dirs: []
      util_dirs: []
      essential_rules: true
      packages: []
    shellcheck:
      enabled: true
    ruff:
      enabled: true
    markdownlint:
      enabled: true
    github-checks:
      enabled: true
      timeout_ms: 90000
    languagetool:
      enabled: true
      enabled_rules: []
      disabled_rules: []
      enabled_categories: []
      disabled_categories: []
      enabled_only: false
      level: default
    biome:
      enabled: true
    hadolint:
      enabled: true
    swiftlint:
      enabled: true
    phpstan:
      enabled: true
      level: default
    golangci-lint:
      enabled: true
    yamllint:
      enabled: true
    gitleaks:
      enabled: true
    checkov:
      enabled: true
    detekt:
      enabled: true
    eslint:
      enabled: true
    rubocop:
      enabled: true
    buf:
      enabled: true
    regal:
      enabled: true
    actionlint:
      enabled: true
    pmd:
      enabled: true
    cppcheck:
      enabled: true
    semgrep:
      enabled: true
    circleci:
      enabled: true
    sqlfluff:
      enabled: true
    prismaLint:
      enabled: true
chat:
  auto_reply: true
  create_issues: true
  integrations:
    jira:
      usage: auto
    linear:
      usage: auto
knowledge_base:
  opt_out: false
  web_search:
    enabled: true
  learnings:
    scope: local
  issues:
    scope: local
  jira:
    usage: auto
    project_keys: []
  linear:
    usage: auto
    team_keys: []
  pull_requests:
    scope: auto
code_generation:
  docstrings:
    language: en-US

[coderabbitai]

Tip

For best results, initiate chat on the files or code changes.

🧩 Analysis chain

🏁 Script executed:

#!/bin/bash
# Search for documentation about labels in the coderabbit-docs repository
echo "Searching for documentation on labels in the CodeRabbit docs..."
git grep -i "label" --name-only || echo "No results found"

# Look for any specific documentation on auto-apply labels feature
git grep -i "auto.*apply.*label" -A 5 -B 5 || echo "No results found for auto apply labels"

# Check if there's any FAQ or troubleshooting section
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Length of output: 540

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🏁 Script executed:

#!/bin/bash
# Check the FAQ file for any mention of labels
echo "Checking FAQ file for label-related information:"
cat ./docs/faq.md | grep -i "label" -A 3 -B 3 || echo "No label information found in FAQ"

# Search for documentation specifically about auto-apply labels
echo -e "\nSearching for auto-apply labels documentation:"
find . -type f -name "*.md" | xargs grep -l "auto.*apply.*label" || echo "No files mentioning auto-apply labels found"

# Look for label configuration examples
echo -e "\nSearching for label configuration examples:"
find . -type f -name "*.md" | xargs grep -l "suggested_labels\|auto_apply_labels" || echo "No label configuration examples found"

# Check for permissions documentation
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#!/bin/bash
# Check permissions documentation
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cat ./docs/platforms/github-com.md | grep -i "permission" -A 5 -B 5 || echo "No permission information found"

# Check GitHub docs for labeling features 
echo -e "\nChecking GitHub platform documentation for labels mention:"
cat ./docs/platforms/github-com.md | grep -i "label" -A 5 -B 5 || echo "No label information found in GitHub platform docs"

# Look for configuration examples
echo -e "\nLooking for configuration examples:"
find . -name "*.md" -exec grep -l "coderabbit\.yaml" {} \; | xargs cat | grep -i -A 10 -B 5 "labeling\|suggested_labels\|auto_apply_labels" || echo "No configuration examples with labeling found"

# Check changelog for mentions of labels feature
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#!/bin/bash
# Check for any configuration documentation
echo "Searching for configuration documentation:"
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# Look for any troubleshooting guides
echo -e "\nSearching for troubleshooting documentation:"
find . -name "*.md" -exec grep -l "troubleshoot\|debug\|issue" {} \; | head -5 || echo "No troubleshooting documentation found"

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echo -e "\nChecking for GitHub labels documentation:"
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#!/bin/bash
# Check README for label information
echo "Checking README for label information:"
cat ./README.md | grep -i -A 5 -B 5 "github.*label\|label.*github" || echo "No information found"

# Check FAQ for label troubleshooting
echo -e "\nChecking FAQ for label troubleshooting:"
cat ./docs/faq.md | grep -i -A 10 -B 10 "label.*not\|auto.*label\|suggest.*label" || echo "No label troubleshooting found"

# Check if there are any docs specifically about setting up GitHub labels
echo -e "\nChecking for GitHub label setup documentation:"
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Length of output: 1866

---

@SushmitaMahapatra23 After analyzing your configuration and searching through the documentation, I've identified several potential reasons why labels aren't being suggested or automatically applied:

Possible Issues

1. Duplicated Configuration: You have labeling instructions defined in two places - both in reviews.labeling_instructions and in path_instructions. This duplication could be causing a conflict.

2. Missing Repository Labels: The labels defined in your config must exist in your GitHub repository with the exact same names. CodeRabbit can't create new labels - it can only apply existing ones.

3. Insufficient Historical Data: According to the changelog, label suggestions are based on "learning from your past PRs." If your repository doesn't have enough PRs with labels, CodeRabbit might not have sufficient data to make suggestions.

4. Permission Issues: Ensure CodeRabbit has proper permissions to modify labels in your repository.

Troubleshooting Steps

1. Remove Duplicate Instructions: Keep your labeling instructions in one place only - preferably in the reviews.labeling_instructions section, and remove the duplicate in path-based instructions.

2. Verify Labels Exist: Check that all labels mentioned in your config (config-changes, feature, non-functional, etc.) exist in your GitHub repository with exactly the same names.

3. Create Test PRs with Clear Changes: Try creating a simple test PR that clearly fits one of your label categories (e.g., a config file change) to test the functionality.

4. Check GitHub App Installation: Verify the CodeRabbit GitHub App is properly installed and has the necessary permissions for your repository.

5. Start Simple: Try a simplified configuration with just 1-2 labels to test if the feature works at all.

Let me know if these steps help resolve the issue!

🐰 Thoughtfully analyzing your puzzle

[SushmitaMahapatra23]

@coderabbitai i have even tried by Keeping labeling instructions in one place only i.e. in reviews.labeling_instructions section, but still its not working.

Additionally,

1. All labels mentioned in my config (config-changes, feature, non-functional, etc.) exist in my GitHub repository with exactly the same names.
2. I created a very simple PR with one line config change but still its not able to add label automatically or not even suggesting.
3. I have verified the CodeRabbit GitHub App is properly installed and has the necessary permissions for the repository.
   When i manually ask coderabbit by tagging in comment to suggest a label based on labelling instruction provided to it, it suggest the correct label and even if i ask to apply it then it apply the label in PR, this clearly indicates that it has permission to apply the labels

[coderabbitai]

Tip

For best results, initiate chat on the files or code changes.

🧩 Analysis chain

Based on the limited information from the documentation search, let me see if there are any recent GitHub issues or discussions about this feature:

Let me check for community feedback or other reports about this issue:

@SushmitaMahapatra23 Thanks for providing those additional details. Since manual labeling works when requested in comments, but automatic labeling doesn't trigger, we need to dig deeper into this issue.

Based on my investigation, here are some additional troubleshooting steps:

Advanced Troubleshooting Steps

1. Try with a different PR type: Create a PR with a more substantial change that clearly fits one of your label categories (e.g., a new feature with multiple files changed).

2. Check if labels apply after review completion: Some features may only trigger after CodeRabbit completes its full PR review. Verify if labels appear after the review is completed rather than immediately when the PR is created.

3. Verify configuration syntax: Ensure there are no subtle YAML syntax errors. Try simplifying your .coderabbit.yaml file temporarily to rule out any config issues.

4. Look for PR-specific filters: Check if you have any PR filters in your config that might be preventing the automation from running (e.g., ignore_title_keywords, base_branches).

5. Test free tier limitations: Confirm that auto-applying labels is available in your plan. While your config has enable_free_tier: true, verify if this particular feature has any limitations.

Next Steps

If none of these steps resolve the issue, this appears to be a bug in CodeRabbit. Since you've verified:

• Correct configuration
• Existing labels with matching names
• Proper permissions
• Manual labeling works via comments

I recommend:

1. Opening a support ticket directly with CodeRabbit's technical support
2. Provide them with:
   • Your repository information
   • Your configuration file
   • Examples of PRs where auto-labeling failed
   • Screenshots showing that manual labeling works

This seems to be an issue that requires investigation from the CodeRabbit team directly, as you've already ruled out the common configuration issues.

---

🏁 Script executed:

#!/bin/bash
# Search for more information about auto-apply labels feature
echo "Searching for auto-apply labels documentation:"
find . -type f -name "*.md" | xargs grep -l "auto_apply_labels" | xargs cat | grep -i -A 10 -B 10 "auto_apply_labels" || echo "No detailed auto_apply_labels documentation found"

# Look for any debugging information in the docs
echo -e "\nSearching for debugging information:"
find . -type f -name "*.md" | xargs grep -l "debug\|log\|diagnostic" | head -5 || echo "No debugging documentation found"

# Check if there's any mention of minimum PR size or other limitations
echo -e "\nChecking for any feature limitations:"
find . -type f -name "*.md" | xargs grep -l "minimum\|threshold\|limit\|requir" | xargs grep -i "label" || echo "No limitation information found"

# Search for information about when labels are applied
echo -e "\nSearching for information about when labels are applied:"
find . -type f -name "*.md" | xargs grep -i "when.*label.*applied\|label.*trigger\|label.*timing" || echo "No information about label timing found"

Length of output: 4639

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🏁 Script executed:

#!/bin/bash
# Check if there are other related issues in the repository
echo "Checking for related issues:"
find . -type f -name "*.md" | xargs grep -l "label.*not.*work\|auto.*label.*issue" || echo "No related issues found in docs"

# Look for any release notes or changelog entries related to labels
echo -e "\nChecking changelog for label-related updates:"
cat ./docs/changelog.md | grep -i -A 5 -B 5 "label\|suggest" || echo "No relevant changelog entries found"

# Check if this might be a tier/plan limitation
echo -e "\nChecking for plan limitations:"
find . -type f -name "*.md" | xargs grep -i "free.*tier\|paid.*feature\|premium" | grep -i "label" || echo "No plan limitation information found"

Length of output: 6488

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#!/bin/bash
# Check if there are any GitHub discussions or community feedback about this issue
echo "Looking for community discussions:"
find . -type f -name "*.md" | xargs grep -i "community\|forum\|discussion" | head -5 || echo "No community resources found"

# Check if there's any contact information for reporting bugs
echo -e "\nLooking for bug reporting information:"
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Length of output: 1487

---

@SushmitaMahapatra23 Thank you for providing these additional details. After further investigation, I've found some insights about how the label suggestion system works.

Key Finding

From the changelog (September 9, 2024 entry), I found that label suggestions are specifically designed to work by "learning from your past PRs". This is crucial information that might explain the issue:

Suggested labels: CodeRabbit can now suggest labels by learning from your past PRs in the walkthrough comment.

Since you've ruled out all the common configuration issues, this is likely one of two things:

Possible Causes

1. Historical Data Requirement: The system may require a sufficient number of previously labeled PRs to "learn" from before it can automatically suggest or apply labels. If your repository doesn't have many PRs with labels already applied, this could explain why the feature isn't working.

2. System Bug: Given that manual labeling works when specifically requested, but automatic labeling doesn't trigger, this could be a genuine bug in the implementation.

Next Steps

1. Try manually labeling several PRs first: Create and label 5-10 PRs matching your label criteria to build up historical data, then see if auto-labeling begins working.

2. Contact Support directly: The documentation shows you can reach out to support at:

   • Email: support@coderabbit.ai
   • Discord community: https://discord.gg/coderabbit

When contacting support, provide:

• Repository details
• Your configuration file
• Steps you've already taken to troubleshoot
• Confirmation that manual labeling works but automatic doesn't

This appears to be either a data requirement not documented clearly or a technical issue that requires direct support intervention. The support team will have access to logs and the exact implementation details needed to resolve this.

[SushmitaMahapatra23]

@reactive-firewall could you please look into this issue

[reactive-firewall]

Important

Disclaimer: I am just a fellow user of CoderabbitAI and have no official association with the project or its maintainers. Any feedback or comments I provide are based on my personal experience and are offered AS-IS. I cannot guarantee their accuracy or effectiveness, and they should not be considered official support or advice. Please reach out to the maintainers for authoritative guidance.

@reactive-firewall could you please look into this issue

I should clarify that I only use the label suggestion feature myself (at this time) and I use a GHA labeler to apply most automatic labeling (just happen to align well with file type in my specific case), so all I can say is I agree with the direction the bot is advising if the feature is already working manually.

Since you've ruled out all the common configuration issues, this is likely one of two things:

Possible Causes

1. Historical Data Requirement: The system may require a sufficient number of previously labeled PRs to "learn" from before it can automatically suggest or apply labels. If your repository doesn't have many PRs with labels already applied, this could explain why the feature isn't working.
2. System Bug: Given that manual labeling works when specifically requested, but automatic labeling doesn't trigger, this could be a genuine bug in the implementation.

Next Steps

1. Try manually labeling several PRs first: Create and label 5-10 PRs matching your label criteria to build up historical data, then see if auto-labeling begins working.

2. Contact Support directly: The documentation shows you can reach out to support at:

   • Email: support@coderabbit.ai
   • Discord community: https://discord.gg/coderabbit

When contacting support, provide:

• Repository details
• Your configuration file
• Steps you've already taken to troubleshoot
• Confirmation that manual labeling works but automatic doesn't

This appears to be either a data requirement not documented clearly or a technical issue that requires direct support intervention. The support team will have access to logs and the exact implementation details needed to resolve this.

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🤷 our configurations do differ greatly, but if it helps here is an open-source repo with the config that has automatic suggestions in the workflow working:

• label auto-suggestions working config
• past example PR with auto-suggestions (🙉 PR is huge)
• My project where these are located, (😎 shameless plug) Multicast

🙇 Hopefully this helps

[coderabbitai]

Tip

For best results, initiate chat on the files or code changes.

🧩 Analysis chain

@reactive-firewall Thank you for sharing your working configuration and example PR! After examining your configuration, I've spotted some potentially important differences that could help troubleshoot this issue.

Looking at your .coderabbit.yaml file, I notice it has a simpler approach to labeling:

1. You're using suggested_labels: true but not auto_apply_labels
2. You don't have explicit labeling_instructions defined in your config
3. Your setup relies on GitHub Actions for the actual label application

This aligns with what you mentioned about only using the suggestion feature rather than auto-application. From the documentation, these appear to be two related but distinct features:

• Label suggestions: Analyzes PR content and suggests appropriate labels based on historical patterns
• Auto-apply labels: Automatically applies those suggested labels without manual intervention

@SushmitaMahapatra23 Based on this additional information, I recommend:

1. Try simplifying your configuration first by:

   • Removing auto_apply_labels: true temporarily
   • Keeping only suggested_labels: true
   • Testing if suggestions at least appear consistently

2. If suggestions work, but auto-apply doesn't, this narrows down the issue to specifically the auto-application mechanism rather than the suggestion system.

3. Consider implementing a GitHub Actions workflow for label application as a temporary workaround (similar to reactive-firewall's approach).

As previously suggested, this does appear to be either:

• A system that requires more historical data to function properly
• A potential bug in the auto-apply implementation

Contact support with these additional details for a definitive resolution.

🐰 Analyzing configurations to help solve your puzzle

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🏁 Script executed:

#!/bin/bash
# Fetch reactive-firewall's .coderabbit.yaml configuration
echo "Fetching reactive-firewall's .coderabbit.yaml configuration:"
curl -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/reactive-firewall/multicast/master/.coderabbit.yaml

Length of output: 14824

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@reactive-firewall Thank you for sharing your configuration file! After examining it in detail, I can see several key differences that could explain why the auto-apply labels feature isn't working for @SushmitaMahapatra23:

Key Configuration Differences

1. Label Implementation:

   • Your config uses suggested_labels: true but does NOT have auto_apply_labels: true
   • This confirms what you mentioned about only using suggestions and relying on GitHub Actions for actual application

2. Labeling Approach:

   • Your labels are primarily based on file types/languages (Python, Bash, etc.)
   • These are much easier for the system to detect reliably compared to content-based categories

3. Early Access:

   • You have early_access: true while SushmitaMahapatra23 has early_access: false
   • Some features may behave differently between these tiers

Recommended Troubleshooting Steps

@SushmitaMahapatra23 Based on this comparison, I suggest:

1. Simplify your configuration:

   • Try creating a test configuration with just 1-2 simple file-type based labels
   • Example: label: python-file with instructions to apply when PR contains .py files

2. Test suggested_labels only:

   • Remove auto_apply_labels: true temporarily to verify if suggestions work

3. Consider GitHub Actions alternative:

   • As reactive-firewall mentioned, using GitHub Actions for label application might be more reliable
   • Example: GitHub's Labeler Action

4. Check Early Access features:

   • Verify with support if auto_apply_labels has any limitations in non-early access tiers

These steps should help narrow down whether the issue is with label detection, the auto-application mechanism, or the complexity of your labeling instructions.

If you continue to experience issues after these simplifications, definitely follow up with CodeRabbit support as previously suggested.

🐰 Analyzing configurations to find the solution