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🛡️ GitHub Personal Access Token (PAT) Guide

This project can optionally use a GitHub Personal Access Token (PAT) to increase your API rate limit when fetching data. This guide explains what a PAT is, why it matters, and how to safely create and use one.

🔍 What Is a GitHub PAT?

A Personal Access Token is like a password specifically for GitHub API access. It lets tools and scripts authenticate as you when making requests to GitHub — without needing your actual password.

In this project, the PAT is used only to read public information (like repository metadata and language stats). No scopes or write permissions are required.

⚠️ Why Do You Need One?

Without a PAT, GitHub limits your API usage to:

  • ✅ 60 requests per hour (unauthenticated)

With a PAT:

  • 🚀 Up to 5000 requests per hour

That matters because:

  • Listing repos = 1 request per 100 repos
  • Fetching languages = 1 request per repo

So if you're querying someone with many repositories, you’ll hit the limit fast unless authenticated.

🧭 How to Generate a Personal Access Token

  1. Log in to GitHub → https://github.com

  2. Navigate to Developer Settings → Click your profile pic (top-right) → Settings → Scroll down the left menu → Developer settings

  3. Create Token → Select Personal access tokens → Tokens (classic) → Click Generate new token

  4. Configure Your Token

    • Note: Use a name like GitHubLangStatsTool

    • Expiration: Choose your preferred duration (30 days, 90 days, or no expiration)

    • Scopes: ✅ Leave everything unchecked

      This tool only reads public data — no scopes required.

  5. Generate and Copy

    • Click Generate token
    • GitHub will show it once only — copy and save it immediately
    • Lost it? Just regenerate a new one.

🧪 How to Use the PAT with the Script

➤ Option 1: Use an Environment Variable (Recommended)

Set the token in your terminal session before running the Python script:

  • Linux/macOS:

    export GITHUB_TOKEN=your_token_here
python github_lang_stats.py

  • Windows (CMD):

    set GITHUB_TOKEN=your_token_here
python github_lang_stats.py

  • Windows (PowerShell):

    $env:GITHUB_TOKEN="your_token_here"
python github_lang_stats.py

🌐 How to Use the PAT in the Web Version

If you're using the browser-based version:

  1. Open the web app (e.g., index.html)
  2. Paste your PAT into the optional input field
  3. The app will use it for increased rate limits

Note: Your token never leaves your browser — but it can be accessed by browser extensions. Use caution if you have untrusted extensions installed.

🧼 How to Revoke or Rotate a Token

  • Go to Your Developer Settings
  • Click the Delete button next to the token you want to remove
  • Generate a new one any time you need

✅ Best Practices

✔️ Do ❌ Don’t
Store token in env vars Hard-code token in scripts
Keep your token private Paste it in public chats/repos
Use no scopes for read-only use Add unnecessary scopes
Regenerate expired tokens Reuse old/insecure tokens

📎 Summary

Question Answer
Do I have to use a token? No — but it greatly improves rate limits
Is it secure? Yes, if you don’t expose it or grant extra scopes
What scopes are needed? The minimal, Read-only to public repo's
Where do I use it? Environment variable (Python) or browser field (Web UI)

🔒 Use it smartly, use it safely. If in doubt — delete and regenerate.