Streamlining GitHub Classroom: Workarounds for Assignment Slug Editing to Boost Development Efficiency

The Frustrating Slug Editing Bug in GitHub Classroom

GitHub Classroom is an invaluable tool for educators and team leads, streamlining the distribution and collection of coding assignments. However, a recent discussion in the GitHub Community highlighted a frustrating bug impacting development efficiency: the inability to edit the assignment slug (or prefix) when creating new assignments.

User chrissphinx initiated Discussion #186200, detailing how the edit icon for the assignment prefix in GitHub Classroom no longer displays an input field. This prevents users from setting a custom slug, which is crucial for organizing repositories and maintaining consistent naming conventions for git activity. The issue, reported in early 2026, left users without an obvious workaround, leading to potential friction in setting up new assignments.

Community-Driven Solutions for Enhanced Development Efficiency

While awaiting an official fix from GitHub, the community quickly stepped in with practical workarounds, ensuring that educators and team leads can continue to manage their assignments effectively.

Workaround 1: Create, Then Edit the Assignment Settings

Community member Abtahi360 provided a straightforward, albeit slightly indirect, solution that leverages GitHub Classroom's post-creation slug regeneration. This method is ideal for those who prefer a UI-based approach and don't mind an extra step:

1. Create the Assignment Normally: Ignore the broken prefix editor during initial creation and proceed to finish setting up the assignment.
2. Navigate to Your Classroom: Go to GitHub Classroom and select your specific classroom.
3. Open the Newly Created Assignment: Find and click on the assignment you just made.
4. Access Settings: Click the "Settings" (⚙️) icon.
5. Edit the Assignment Title: Modify the "Assignment title." GitHub Classroom will automatically regenerate the slug based on this new title.
6. Save Changes: Confirm your edits.

Important Note: Abtahi360 wisely points out that if students have already accepted the assignment, changing the slug later will not rename their existing repositories. This insight is vital for maintaining smooth software project monitoring and avoiding confusion among students.

Workaround 2: Direct Input Field Access via JavaScript Console

For those comfortable with browser developer tools, drblue offered a more immediate fix, building on a discovery from another discussion. This method directly reveals the hidden input field, allowing for on-the-spot editing:

document.querySelector('input[name*="slug"]').closest("div.d-none")?.classList.remove("d-none")

To use this:

1. While on the assignment creation/editing page, open your browser's developer console (usually F12 or right-click -> Inspect -> Console tab).
2. Paste the JavaScript one-liner into the console and press Enter.
3. The hidden slug input field should now become visible, allowing you to enter your custom prefix.

This method offers a quick way to restore the intended functionality, enhancing development efficiency by bypassing the broken UI element directly.

Boosting Productivity Despite UI Glitches

These community-contributed workarounds demonstrate the power of collaborative problem-solving in maintaining productivity and seamless git activity within critical development tools. Whether you prefer a UI-driven approach or a quick console command, these solutions are crucial for anyone focused on optimizing software project monitoring and overall team efficiency, ensuring that minor bugs don't derail significant educational or project workflows.