Rahul Singh

Posted on Apr 7 • Originally published at aicodereview.cc

Snyk GitHub Integration: Step-by-Step Setup Guide for 2026

#codereview #ai #programming #webdev

What you will learn

This guide covers every step of integrating Snyk with GitHub - from installing the Snyk GitHub App to configuring automated security scanning across your repositories. By the end, you will have a working integration that scans every pull request for vulnerabilities, creates automated fix PRs for insecure dependencies, and feeds results into GitHub Actions for gated CI checks.

Here is what this guide covers:

Connecting your GitHub account to Snyk via the GitHub App
Importing repositories and understanding how Snyk detects projects
Configuring scanning for open-source dependencies, source code (SAST), containers, and infrastructure as code
Reviewing vulnerability results in the Snyk dashboard
Enabling automated fix pull requests
Setting up Snyk in GitHub Actions with SARIF upload
Advanced configuration for monorepos, branch protection, and notification routing
Troubleshooting the most common integration issues
Alternatives to Snyk for GitHub-based security scanning

If you have not set up Snyk at all yet, start with our complete Snyk setup guide first, then return here for the GitHub-specific integration steps.

Prerequisites

Before starting the integration, make sure you have the following in place:

A Snyk account - sign up for free at app.snyk.io. If you sign up using your GitHub credentials, the integration is partially pre-configured
GitHub organization admin access - installing the Snyk GitHub App requires admin permissions on your GitHub organization. For personal accounts, no special permissions are needed
At least one repository with scannable files - Snyk needs manifest files (package.json, requirements.txt, pom.xml, go.mod, Gemfile, Dockerfile, .tf files) or source code to scan
Snyk Code enabled (optional) - if you want SAST scanning in addition to dependency scanning, enable Snyk Code in your organization settings at app.snyk.io under Settings then Snyk Code

If you already have a Snyk account and admin access to your GitHub organization, you can proceed directly to Step 1.

Step 1 - Connect your GitHub account to Snyk

The first step is to install the Snyk GitHub App on your GitHub organization. This creates a secure connection that allows Snyk to read repository contents, open pull requests with fixes, and post status checks on PRs.

Install the Snyk GitHub App

Log in to app.snyk.io
Navigate to Settings in the left sidebar
Select Integrations and find GitHub in the list of source control integrations
Click Connect to GitHub
GitHub redirects you to an authorization page - review the requested permissions and click Install & Authorize
Choose whether to grant Snyk access to all repositories or only select repositories

Selecting specific repositories is the recommended approach for organizations with many repos. You can always add more repositories later without reinstalling the app.

Understanding the permissions

The Snyk GitHub App requests the following permissions:

Permission	Access Level	Purpose
Repository contents	Read	Clone and scan source code and manifest files
Pull requests	Read & Write	Create fix PRs and read PR diffs for scanning
Checks	Read & Write	Post scan results as PR status checks
Webhooks	Read & Write	Detect new commits and pull requests
Metadata	Read	Access repository names, branches, and structure

Snyk does not permanently store your source code. During a scan, Snyk clones the repository, analyzes the relevant files, and deletes the clone when the scan completes.

Verify the connection

After authorization, the Snyk dashboard should show GitHub as a connected integration with a green "Connected" badge. If the badge shows a warning or error state, check that:

Your GitHub organization has not restricted third-party app installations
You have admin permissions on the organization
The Snyk GitHub App was not blocked by your organization's app policy

If your organization requires admin approval for GitHub App installations and you are not an admin, the installation request is sent to your org admins. You will see a "Pending" status in Snyk until an admin approves the request.

Step 2 - Import repositories

Once GitHub is connected, import your repositories into Snyk so they can be scanned for vulnerabilities. Snyk automatically detects every scannable file in each repository and creates individual projects for them.

Import repositories from the dashboard

Click Add projects in the top navigation bar of the Snyk dashboard
Select GitHub as the integration source
Snyk displays all repositories it has access to - use the search bar to filter by name
Check the boxes next to the repositories you want to scan
Click Add selected repositories

Snyk begins an initial scan of each imported repository immediately. Depending on the number and size of your repositories, this initial scan can take anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes.

What Snyk detects automatically

For each imported repository, Snyk scans the file tree and creates a separate project for every scannable manifest or configuration file it finds:

package.json and package-lock.json - Node.js dependency scanning
requirements.txt, Pipfile, and poetry.lock - Python dependency scanning
pom.xml and build.gradle - Java dependency scanning
go.mod - Go dependency scanning
Gemfile and Gemfile.lock - Ruby dependency scanning
Dockerfile - Container image scanning
.tf files - Terraform IaC scanning
Source code files - Snyk Code SAST scanning (if enabled)

A single repository might generate five or more Snyk projects if it contains multiple manifest files. For example, a Node.js monorepo with a root package.json and three workspace package.json files produces four separate Open Source projects, plus a Snyk Code project if SAST is enabled.

Bulk import tips

For organizations importing dozens or hundreds of repositories, consider these approaches:

Start with critical repositories first - import your production-facing repos before internal tooling or archived projects
Use the Snyk API for programmatic imports - the Import Projects API endpoint supports bulk imports with filtering
Monitor test consumption - each imported repository triggers an initial scan that counts against your test limits on the free plan

Step 3 - Configure scanning types

Snyk offers four scanning products that each target a different layer of your application stack. Configuring them correctly ensures comprehensive coverage without unnecessary noise.

Open Source scanning (SCA)

Open Source scanning is enabled by default when you import a repository with manifest files. Snyk resolves the full dependency tree - including transitive dependencies - and checks every package version against its vulnerability database.

Key configuration options in the Snyk dashboard under Settings then GitHub:

Automatic dependency upgrade PRs - Snyk opens PRs to upgrade dependencies to newer, non-vulnerable versions even when no vulnerability is present. This keeps dependencies fresh and reduces the attack surface proactively
Automatic fix PRs - distinct from upgrade PRs, fix PRs target specific known vulnerabilities with the minimum version bump needed
License compliance - enable license scanning to flag dependencies with copyleft or problematic licenses (available on paid plans)

For a detailed walkthrough of Snyk's full capabilities, see our Snyk code review.

Snyk Code (SAST)

Snyk Code performs static application security testing on your source code, detecting vulnerabilities like SQL injection, cross-site scripting, path traversal, and hardcoded credentials.

To enable Snyk Code for your GitHub repositories:

Go to Settings in the Snyk dashboard
Select Snyk Code from the left menu
Toggle Enable Snyk Code to on
Click Save changes
Re-import your repositories or wait for the next recurring scan

Once enabled, Snyk Code analyzes source code in all imported repositories. Results appear in the dashboard alongside your Open Source findings, with separate severity ratings and remediation guidance for each code-level vulnerability.

Snyk Code supports 19+ languages including JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, Java, Go, Ruby, C#, PHP, Kotlin, and Swift. Scans typically complete in under 60 seconds because the DeepCode AI engine uses efficient semantic analysis rather than building a full compilation model.

Container scanning

If your repositories contain Dockerfiles, Snyk automatically scans the container images defined in those files. Container scanning checks for:

Vulnerabilities in base image OS packages (Alpine apk, Debian apt, Red Hat rpm)
Application dependencies installed inside the container
Dockerfile best practices (running as root, unnecessary package installations, unpinned base image tags)

Snyk also recommends alternative base images with fewer known vulnerabilities. For example, if your Dockerfile uses node:20, Snyk might recommend node:20-alpine or a specific patched version with fewer CVEs.

Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

For repositories containing Terraform (.tf), CloudFormation, Kubernetes manifests, or Helm charts, Snyk IaC scans for misconfigurations:

S3 buckets without encryption
Security groups allowing unrestricted ingress (0.0.0.0/0)
Databases without deletion protection
Missing logging and monitoring configurations

IaC scanning is enabled by default. Results appear in the Snyk dashboard under the specific repository project, categorized by severity and resource type.

Step 4 - Review vulnerability results

After the initial scan completes, review your results in the Snyk dashboard to understand your security posture and prioritize remediation.

Navigating the dashboard

The main Projects view shows all imported repositories with a summary count of vulnerabilities by severity (Critical, High, Medium, Low). Click on any project to see the detailed findings.

For each vulnerability, Snyk provides:

Severity rating - Critical, High, Medium, or Low based on CVSS score and Snyk's proprietary analysis
Exploit maturity - whether the vulnerability has known exploits, proof-of-concept code, or no known exploit
Reachability (Enterprise plans) - whether your code actually calls the vulnerable function in the dependency
Fix available - whether an upgrade or patch resolves the vulnerability
Introduced through - the full dependency path showing how the vulnerable package enters your project

Prioritization strategy

Not all vulnerabilities require immediate action. Use this prioritization framework:

Critical + Exploit available + Fix available - fix immediately. These are actively exploited vulnerabilities with a known upgrade path
High + Reachable + Fix available - fix in the current sprint. Your code actually calls the vulnerable function
Critical/High + No fix available - evaluate workarounds or consider replacing the dependency
Medium/Low - track and address during regular maintenance cycles

For a deeper look at Snyk's pricing and plan features that affect scanning depth, see our Snyk pricing breakdown.

Step 5 - Enable automated fix pull requests

Automated fix PRs are one of Snyk's most valuable features for teams using GitHub. Instead of manually upgrading vulnerable dependencies, Snyk creates ready-to-merge pull requests that resolve security issues.

Enable automatic fix PRs

Go to Settings in the Snyk dashboard
Select GitHub under Integrations
Scroll to Automatic fix pull requests
Toggle the feature to Enabled
Configure the following options:
- Fix known vulnerabilities - creates PRs for existing vulnerabilities detected in your project
- Fix new vulnerabilities - creates PRs when newly disclosed CVEs affect your dependencies
- Backlog limit - maximum number of open fix PRs per project (default is 5, recommended to keep at 5-10 to avoid PR fatigue)

What a Snyk fix PR looks like

Each fix PR includes:

A title identifying the vulnerability and the upgrade (for example, "fix: upgrade lodash from 4.17.20 to 4.17.21")
A description with the vulnerability details, CVSS score, and Snyk vulnerability page link
The actual dependency version change in your manifest and lock files
A list of breaking changes or release notes from the upgrade, if available

Fix PRs are designed to be reviewed and merged quickly. The PR description gives reviewers enough context to assess risk without leaving GitHub.

Enable PR status checks

To prevent new vulnerabilities from being introduced through pull requests:

In the Snyk GitHub integration settings, enable Default Snyk test for pull requests
Choose the fail condition:
- Only fail when the PR is adding a dependency with issues (recommended) - allows existing vulnerabilities to pass while blocking new ones
- Fail if the repo has any issues - stricter, blocks all PRs until existing vulnerabilities are resolved
In your GitHub repository, go to Settings then Branches
Edit the branch protection rule for your main branch
Under Require status checks to pass before merging, add the Snyk check

This creates a security gate where no PR can be merged if it introduces vulnerable dependencies.

GitHub Actions integration

For teams that want more control over scanning behavior, integrating Snyk into GitHub Actions provides a flexible CI-based approach that complements the GitHub App integration.

Basic dependency scanning workflow

Create a workflow file at .github/workflows/snyk.yml:

name: Snyk Security Scan

on:
  pull_request:
    branches: [main, develop]
  push:
    branches: [main]

jobs:
  snyk-scan:
    name: Snyk Open Source
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4

      - name: Set up Node.js
        uses: actions/setup-node@v4
        with:
          node-version: 20

      - name: Install dependencies
        run: npm ci

      - name: Run Snyk to check for vulnerabilities
        uses: snyk/actions/node@master
        env:
          SNYK_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.SNYK_TOKEN }}
        with:
          args: --severity-threshold=high

Replace snyk/actions/node with the action matching your project language:

Action	Language/Runtime
`snyk/actions/node`	JavaScript, TypeScript (npm, yarn)
`snyk/actions/python`	Python (pip, pipenv, poetry)
`snyk/actions/maven`	Java (Maven)
`snyk/actions/gradle`	Java (Gradle)
`snyk/actions/golang`	Go
`snyk/actions/dotnet`	.NET
`snyk/actions/docker`	Container images
`snyk/actions/iac`	Infrastructure as Code

Adding SARIF upload to GitHub Security tab

Upload Snyk results to GitHub's Security tab for a unified view of findings:

name: Snyk Security

on:
  pull_request:
    branches: [main]
  push:
    branches: [main]

jobs:
  snyk-code:
    name: Snyk Code (SAST)
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4

      - name: Run Snyk Code
        uses: snyk/actions/node@master
        continue-on-error: true
        env:
          SNYK_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.SNYK_TOKEN }}
        with:
          command: code test
          args: --sarif-file-output=snyk-code.sarif

      - name: Upload SARIF to GitHub Security
        uses: github/codeql-action/upload-sarif@v3
        with:
          sarif_file: snyk-code.sarif
        if: always()

The continue-on-error: true flag ensures the SARIF upload step runs even when Snyk detects vulnerabilities (which causes a non-zero exit code). The if: always() condition on the upload step provides additional insurance.

SARIF upload requires GitHub Advanced Security for private repositories. For public repositories, it works on all GitHub plans. For more details on how Snyk compares with GitHub's native security features, read our Snyk vs GitHub Advanced Security comparison.

Combined multi-product workflow

For comprehensive scanning that covers all four Snyk products in parallel:

name: Snyk Full Security Scan

on:
  pull_request:
    branches: [main]

jobs:
  snyk-opensource:
    name: SCA Scan
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - uses: actions/setup-node@v4
        with:
          node-version: 20
      - run: npm ci
      - name: Snyk Open Source
        uses: snyk/actions/node@master
        env:
          SNYK_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.SNYK_TOKEN }}
        with:
          args: --severity-threshold=high

  snyk-code:
    name: SAST Scan
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - name: Snyk Code
        uses: snyk/actions/node@master
        env:
          SNYK_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.SNYK_TOKEN }}
        with:
          command: code test
          args: --severity-threshold=high

  snyk-iac:
    name: IaC Scan
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - name: Snyk IaC
        uses: snyk/actions/iac@master
        env:
          SNYK_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.SNYK_TOKEN }}
        with:
          args: --severity-threshold=medium

All three jobs run in parallel, so the total workflow time equals the slowest individual scan rather than the sum of all scans.

Setting up the SNYK_TOKEN secret

To add your Snyk API token as a GitHub Actions secret:

Go to app.snyk.io/account and copy your API token
In your GitHub repository, navigate to Settings then Secrets and variables then Actions
Click New repository secret
Set the name to SNYK_TOKEN and paste your API token as the value
Click Add secret

For organization-wide scanning, add the secret at the organization level under your GitHub organization settings so it is available to all repositories.

Advanced configuration

Once the basic integration is working, these advanced configurations help teams scale Snyk across larger codebases.

Monorepo scanning

For monorepos with multiple packages or services, Snyk automatically detects all manifest files during import. However, you may want to control which subdirectories are scanned. Use a .snyk policy file at the repository root to exclude paths:

version: v1.25.0
exclude:
  global:
    - tests/**
    - docs/**
    - examples/**

In GitHub Actions, you can target specific subdirectories:

- name: Scan backend
  uses: snyk/actions/python@master
  env:
    SNYK_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.SNYK_TOKEN }}
  with:
    args: --file=backend/requirements.txt

- name: Scan frontend
  uses: snyk/actions/node@master
  env:
    SNYK_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.SNYK_TOKEN }}
  with:
    args: --file=frontend/package.json

Notification routing

Configure where Snyk sends alerts for vulnerabilities found through the GitHub integration:

Email - default notification channel for new vulnerabilities
Slack - post alerts to a dedicated security channel (configure in Settings then Notifications)
Jira - automatically create tickets for critical vulnerabilities
Webhooks - trigger custom automation when vulnerabilities are detected

Branch-specific scanning

By default, Snyk monitors the default branch (usually main). To monitor additional branches:

Go to the project settings in the Snyk dashboard
Click Settings on the specific project
Under GitHub integration, add branches to monitor

This is useful for long-lived release branches that need security monitoring independently of main.

Troubleshooting

Here are the most common issues teams encounter with the Snyk GitHub integration and how to resolve them.

PR checks stuck in "pending" state

Problem: Snyk PR checks show as "Pending" and never complete.

Fix: This usually indicates a webhook delivery failure between GitHub and Snyk. Try closing and reopening the PR to trigger a new webhook. If the issue persists, check the webhook delivery log in your GitHub organization settings under Installed GitHub Apps then Snyk then Advanced. Failed deliveries can be redelivered manually from this page.

"No projects detected" after import

Problem: You import a repository but Snyk shows zero projects.

Fix: Snyk needs recognized manifest files to create projects. Verify your repository contains at least one supported manifest (package.json, requirements.txt, pom.xml, go.mod, Gemfile, Dockerfile, or .tf files). For Snyk Code, verify that Snyk Code is enabled in your organization settings. If manifest files exist in subdirectories, check that Snyk has read access to those paths.

Test limit exhaustion on the free plan

Problem: Scans stop working with a "test limit exceeded" error.

Fix: The free plan includes 400 Open Source tests, 100 Code tests, 300 IaC tests, and 100 Container tests per billing period. Each manifest file scanned counts as one test. A monorepo with 10 package.json files uses 10 tests per scan cycle. Reduce consumption by importing only critical repositories, disabling recurring tests on low-priority projects, or upgrading to a paid plan. For more details on limits and plan costs, see our Snyk pricing guide.

Fix PRs not appearing

Problem: Automatic fix PRs are enabled but Snyk is not creating them.

Fix: Check these conditions: (1) the vulnerability must have a known fix (upgrade or patch available), (2) the backlog limit of open fix PRs has not been reached (default is 5), (3) the Snyk GitHub App still has write access to pull requests. Also verify that the integration is not paused - Snyk pauses integrations when it detects persistent errors. Check the integration status in Settings then Integrations then GitHub.

Authentication or token errors in GitHub Actions

Problem: GitHub Actions workflow fails with "Authentication failed" or "Missing API token."

Fix: Verify the SNYK_TOKEN secret exists in your repository or organization settings. Check that the secret name in the workflow file matches exactly (case-sensitive). Generate a fresh token at app.snyk.io/account if the current token may have been rotated or expired. Test the token locally by running SNYK_TOKEN=your-token snyk test to confirm it works before debugging the CI configuration further.

Alternatives to the Snyk GitHub integration

Snyk is not the only tool that integrates with GitHub for security scanning. If you are evaluating options or looking for a different approach, here are notable alternatives.

CodeAnt AI

CodeAnt AI is an AI-powered code review and security platform that integrates with GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket. It combines static analysis, code quality checks, and security scanning in a single tool with automatic PR comments. Pricing starts at $24-40 per user per month, which undercuts Snyk's $25 per contributing developer pricing while offering broader code quality coverage beyond just security. CodeAnt AI is particularly strong for teams that want a unified code review and security solution rather than a dedicated security platform.

GitHub Advanced Security (GHAS)

GitHub's native security suite includes CodeQL SAST, secret scanning, Dependabot for SCA, and Copilot Autofix. For teams fully committed to the GitHub ecosystem, GHAS offers the tightest integration possible since everything lives natively within GitHub. However, GHAS costs $49 per committer per month for private repositories and lacks the container scanning and IaC capabilities that Snyk provides. See our detailed comparison of Snyk vs GitHub Advanced Security for a thorough breakdown.

Semgrep

Semgrep is an open-source SAST tool with a GitHub App integration that provides PR comments and a cloud dashboard. The open-source engine is free, and the cloud platform is free for up to 10 contributors. Semgrep excels at custom rule creation and fast scan times but does not include SCA, container scanning, or IaC analysis in the way Snyk does.

Other options

For a comprehensive overview of Snyk competitors - including Checkmarx, Veracode, SonarQube, and more - see our Snyk alternatives roundup.

Conclusion

The Snyk GitHub integration creates a security feedback loop that catches vulnerabilities at every stage of development - from the first commit to the merged pull request to the ongoing monitoring of production dependencies. The combination of automated PR checks, fix PRs, and recurring scans means that security issues surface where developers are already working rather than in a separate dashboard that requires context-switching.

The setup described in this guide covers the complete integration path: connecting your GitHub account via the Snyk App, importing repositories, configuring all four scanning products (Open Source, Code, Container, and IaC), enabling automated remediation, and extending coverage through GitHub Actions. For most teams, the initial setup takes under 30 minutes - the majority of that time is spent reviewing the initial scan results rather than configuring the integration itself.

If you have not set up Snyk yet, start with our complete Snyk setup guide to get the CLI, IDE extension, and account configured before tackling the GitHub integration. For teams already using Snyk, enabling the GitHub App integration is the single highest-impact configuration change you can make - it shifts security from a manual check into an automated, continuous process that runs on every code change.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I connect Snyk to my GitHub account?

Log in to app.snyk.io, navigate to Integrations in the sidebar, and select GitHub. Click 'Connect to GitHub' and authorize the Snyk GitHub App through the OAuth flow. You can grant Snyk access to all repositories or select specific ones. Once authorized, you can import repositories for scanning from the Add Projects page. Signing up for Snyk with your GitHub account streamlines this process because the GitHub connection is created automatically during registration.

Does Snyk require admin access to my GitHub organization?

Yes, installing the Snyk GitHub App requires GitHub organization admin permissions. If you are not an org admin, the installation request is sent to your org admins for approval. Once approved, any org member with appropriate Snyk permissions can import repositories and view scan results. For personal GitHub accounts, you can install the app directly without admin approval.

What permissions does the Snyk GitHub App need?

The Snyk GitHub App requests read access to repository contents, metadata, and pull requests, plus write access to pull requests (for creating fix PRs), checks (for PR status checks), and webhooks (for detecting new commits and PRs). Snyk does not store your source code on its servers - it clones the repository temporarily during scans and deletes the clone after analysis completes. You can review and modify these permissions in your GitHub organization's Installed GitHub Apps settings.

How do I import GitHub repositories into Snyk?

After connecting GitHub, click 'Add projects' in the Snyk dashboard and select GitHub as the source. Snyk displays all repositories you granted access to during the GitHub App installation. Check the repositories you want to scan and click 'Add selected repositories.' Snyk automatically detects manifest files (package.json, requirements.txt, pom.xml, Dockerfile, Terraform files) in each repository and creates a separate project for each one.

Can Snyk create automatic pull requests to fix vulnerabilities?

Yes, Snyk can automatically generate fix pull requests for vulnerable open-source dependencies. Enable this in your Snyk organization settings under the GitHub integration section by toggling 'Automatic fix pull requests.' Snyk creates PRs that upgrade dependencies to the nearest non-vulnerable version, including a detailed description of the vulnerability, the upgrade path, and any breaking change warnings. You can limit the maximum number of open fix PRs per project to avoid PR overload.

How do I set up Snyk PR checks on GitHub?

In the Snyk dashboard, go to Settings, select GitHub under Integrations, and enable 'Default Snyk test for pull requests.' Once enabled, Snyk runs a security scan on every PR opened against your monitored repositories. The results appear as a status check on the PR. You can configure whether the check fails only when the PR introduces new vulnerabilities or when the repository has any existing issues. Combine this with GitHub branch protection rules to block merges when Snyk checks fail.

Does the Snyk GitHub integration work with GitHub Enterprise?

Yes, Snyk supports both GitHub Enterprise Cloud and GitHub Enterprise Server. For GitHub Enterprise Cloud, the setup process is identical to standard GitHub. For GitHub Enterprise Server (self-hosted), you need a Snyk Enterprise plan and must configure a Snyk Broker to establish a secure connection between your on-premise GitHub instance and Snyk's cloud platform. The Broker runs as a Docker container in your network and handles all communication between Snyk and your GitHub Enterprise Server.

How often does Snyk scan my GitHub repositories?

Snyk scans repositories at three intervals. First, it runs an initial scan when you import a repository. Second, it scans on every pull request if PR checks are enabled. Third, it performs recurring background scans - daily by default on paid plans and weekly on the free plan. You can adjust the recurring test frequency in your Snyk organization settings. Background scans check your monitored projects against newly disclosed vulnerabilities, so you are alerted even when no code changes have been made.

Can I use Snyk with GitHub Actions instead of the GitHub App integration?

Yes, you can use Snyk through GitHub Actions as an alternative or complement to the GitHub App integration. The GitHub App provides automatic PR checks, fix PRs, and dashboard monitoring. GitHub Actions gives you more control over when and how scans run, supports SARIF upload to GitHub's Security tab, and works in custom CI workflows. Many teams use both - the GitHub App for automated monitoring and fix PRs, and GitHub Actions for gated CI checks with custom severity thresholds.

What is the difference between the Snyk GitHub App and the legacy OAuth integration?

Snyk offers two GitHub integration methods: the newer GitHub App (recommended) and the legacy OAuth integration. The GitHub App provides granular repository-level permissions, better rate limiting, and organization-level installation. The OAuth integration grants broader account-level access and is being phased out. Snyk recommends migrating to the GitHub App integration for improved security and reliability. New Snyk organizations should always use the GitHub App.

How do I troubleshoot failed Snyk PR checks on GitHub?

If Snyk PR checks fail unexpectedly, check these common causes. First, verify your Snyk account has not exceeded its test limits (visible in the Snyk dashboard under Usage). Second, confirm the repository still has the Snyk GitHub App installed by checking your GitHub organization's Installed GitHub Apps page. Third, check Snyk's status page at status.snyk.io for service outages. If the check is stuck in a 'pending' state, try closing and reopening the PR to trigger a re-scan.

Is the Snyk GitHub integration free?

Yes, the Snyk GitHub integration is available on all plans including the free tier. The free plan allows you to connect GitHub, import repositories, and enable PR checks. However, the free plan has test limits - 400 Open Source tests, 100 Code tests, 300 IaC tests, and 100 Container tests per billing period. For teams with more than a few active repositories running CI on every PR, these limits are typically exhausted within weeks. Paid plans start at $25 per contributing developer per month and include unlimited tests.

Originally published at aicodereview.cc