How do I use Zenhub's browser extension for GitHub?
Install, navigate, and manage your projects directly within GitHub's interface using Zenhub's integrated tools
Zenhub's browser extension transforms GitHub into a complete project management platform by adding powerful features directly within GitHub's interface. Instead of switching between separate tools, you can manage issues, track progress, and collaborate with your team without ever leaving GitHub.
Installing the Zenhub browser extension
Zenhub's browser extension is available for Chrome and Firefox, supporting the latest three versions of each official browser build. The extension integrates seamlessly into GitHub's interface, requiring no separate logins or complex configuration.
Downloading and setting up the extension
Visit https://www.zenhub.com/extension to download the extension for your browser, or search for "Zenhub for GitHub" in the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons marketplace. After installation, you'll see the Zenhub logo (a blue and white "Z" button) appear in your browser's address bar. Click this button to access Zenhub's notification center showing your team's recent activity.
The extension requires GitHub authentication to access your repositories and issues. When you first visit a GitHub repository after installation, Zenhub will prompt you to sign in with your GitHub credentials. This authentication enables Zenhub to read issue titles, pull request information, and repository data needed for project management features.
NOTE: Zenhub requires read and write access to your GitHub data to enable all features, but never reads or modifies your actual code. All data access is limited to issues, pull requests, and repository metadata needed for project management.
Confirming successful installation
You'll know the extension installed correctly when you see several new elements in GitHub's interface. A new "Zenhub" tab appears alongside Code, Issues, and Pull requests in any repository. The Zenhub logo in your address bar provides quick access to notifications. You may also see additional options in issue and pull request interfaces for connecting work and managing workflows.
Navigating Zenhub within GitHub
Once installed, Zenhub adds its features directly into GitHub's existing interface, creating a unified experience for both code and project management.
Accessing the Work Tracker
Click the "Zenhub" tab in any repository to access your Work Tracker (the main project management dashboard). You can also use the keyboard shortcut "z + b" to quickly open the Work Tracker from anywhere within a repository. The Work Tracker displays your issues organized into customizable pipeline columns that represent different stages of work.
TIP: All of Zenhub's keyboard shortcuts work within the browser extension, providing quick navigation and actions without using your mouse. Press "z + s" to see the full list of available shortcuts and improve your workflow efficiency within GitHub's interface.
The Work Tracker supports multiple repositories in a single view, allowing you to manage cross-repository projects without switching between different GitHub pages. Use the repository filter options to show or hide issues from specific repositories as needed.
Working with issues and pull requests
Zenhub enhances GitHub's issue and pull request pages with additional project management functionality. When viewing an issue, you'll see new options for assigning story points, connecting to epics, setting dependencies, and linking pull requests. These additions appear seamlessly within GitHub's existing interface layout.
Pull request pages include Zenhub connection options that allow you to link PRs to issues during creation. You'll also see pipeline assignment options that let you control where new pull requests appear on your Work Tracker. These features enable automated workflow management without requiring manual updates.
Key features accessible through the extension
The browser extension provides access to Zenhub's complete feature set while maintaining GitHub's familiar interface and navigation patterns.
Multi-repository project management
Combine issues from multiple GitHub repositories into unified project views. Create workspaces that group related repositories together, enabling you to track complex projects that span multiple codebases. The extension handles the complexity of cross-repository relationships while presenting everything in a single, manageable interface.
Set up project hierarchies using Zenhub's issue types system. Group related work into Initiatives, Projects, Epics, and individual tasks, with all levels visible and manageable directly within GitHub's interface. This hierarchical organization helps you maintain clarity on both high-level goals and detailed implementation tasks.
Real-time collaboration features
The extension provides real-time updates on team activity through the notification center accessible via the address bar button. See when team members comment on issues, move work through pipelines, or complete pull requests. These notifications keep you informed without requiring constant page refreshing or manual checking.
Use Planning Poker for collaborative story point estimation directly within issue pages. Team members can participate in estimation sessions without leaving GitHub, making sprint planning more efficient and keeping all decisions documented alongside the relevant issues.
Automated workflow management
Create workflow automations that trigger when issues move between pipelines or when pull requests get created. Set up rules that automatically move issues from one team's workspace to another when work is ready for handoff. These automations reduce manual project management overhead and ensure consistent process adherence.
Connect issues and pull requests using GitHub keywords or manual linking options available during PR creation. Connected work moves through pipelines together, providing unified tracking of both planning and implementation progress.
Reporting and analytics within GitHub
Access comprehensive project reports and team analytics without leaving GitHub's interface, providing data-driven insights for project planning and process improvement.
Sprint and milestone tracking
Generate burndown charts and velocity reports based on your GitHub milestones and Zenhub story point estimates. These reports appear as additional tabs within your repository interface, making sprint tracking as natural as reviewing code changes. Track team capacity, identify bottlenecks, and forecast completion dates using actual work data.
Monitor sprint progress in real-time as team members complete issues and merge pull requests. The extension automatically updates calculations and charts based on GitHub activity, ensuring your reports always reflect current project status without manual data entry.
Team productivity insights
Access GitHub Productivity Insights that analyze your team's GitHub activity patterns. See metrics on pull request throughput, code review times, issue completion rates, and lead times. These insights help identify process improvements and team performance trends over time.
Generate Engineering Investment Reports that categorize your development work automatically using AI analysis. Understand how much effort goes toward new features, bug fixes, technical debt, and maintenance work. This categorization helps with resource planning and stakeholder communication.
Managing permissions and access
The browser extension respects GitHub's existing permission model while adding Zenhub-specific access controls for project management features.
Repository and organization access
Zenhub extension access mirrors your GitHub permissions. If you can view a repository in GitHub, you can see its issues in Zenhub's Work Tracker. If you have write access to a repository, you can modify issue assignments, story points, and pipeline positions through the extension interface.
For organizations using GitHub's third-party access restrictions, ensure that Zenhub is approved for your organization. The extension will display appropriate error messages if access is blocked, with links to documentation for resolving permission issues.
Team workspace management
Create and manage team workspaces through the extension interface, controlling which repositories and team members have access to specific project views. Workspace permissions build on GitHub's existing access controls, so team members see only the repositories and issues they already have permission to access in GitHub.
Set up different workspace configurations for different project phases or team structures. The extension allows you to create multiple workspaces for the same repositories, enabling different views for development teams, product managers, and stakeholders.
Troubleshooting common extension issues
Most extension issues stem from browser configuration, GitHub permissions, or conflicts with other browser extensions.
Extension not loading or displaying errors
If Zenhub features aren't appearing in GitHub, first check that you're using Chrome or Firefox official builds (not developer versions or unofficial variants). Force an update of the extension through your browser's extension management page to ensure you have the latest version.
Disable other browser extensions temporarily to identify potential conflicts. Ad blockers and privacy extensions commonly interfere with Zenhub's functionality. If Zenhub works with other extensions disabled, re-enable them one at a time to identify the specific conflict.
Missing data or sync issues
Verify that your GitHub permissions haven't changed recently, particularly for organization repositories with third-party access restrictions. Contact your GitHub organization administrator if you suspect permission changes are affecting Zenhub access.
Clear your browser cache and cookies for both GitHub and Zenhub if you're seeing stale data or sync issues. The extension relies on GitHub's API for real-time data, so connection issues can sometimes cause temporary display problems.
Performance issues with large repositories
If the extension feels slow with large repositories or extensive issue lists, use Zenhub's filtering options to limit the displayed data. Filter by assignee, labels, or specific repositories to improve loading times while maintaining access to relevant information.
Consider using the Zenhub web application (app.zenhub.com) as an alternative if browser performance becomes problematic. The web app provides the same functionality with optimized loading for complex projects and large datasets.
FAQ
Q: Can I use Zenhub without installing the browser extension?
A: Yes, you can access all Zenhub features through the web application at app.zenhub.com. The extension provides convenience for users who work primarily within GitHub's interface.
Q: Does the extension work with GitHub Enterprise?
A: Yes, Zenhub supports GitHub Enterprise installations. Contact Zenhub support for specific configuration requirements for your Enterprise setup.
Q: What browsers are supported besides Chrome and Firefox? A: Only Chrome and Firefox have native extensions. Other browsers can access Zenhub through the web application, which works on any modern browser including mobile devices.
Q: Why does Zenhub need write access to my GitHub repositories?
A: Write access enables Zenhub to update issue metadata like story points and pipeline assignments. Zenhub never modifies your code, only issue and pull request metadata for project management.
Q: Can I use different Zenhub workspaces with the same browser extension?
A: Yes, you can switch between multiple workspaces through the extension interface. Each workspace can have different repository configurations and team access settings.
Q: What happens if I uninstall the extension?
A: Your Zenhub data remains accessible through the web application. Issue story points, epic relationships, and other Zenhub metadata persist and can be accessed through any Zenhub interface.