Quick Create Gist (AutoHotkey script)

Recently I have learned from Joe Glines aka the-Automator this nice way to quickly create a Gist with AutoHotkey. I share here my improved solution/ workflow.

Prerequisites

GitHub token

To create a Git by API/ script you need to get a GitHub Token.

See documentation here: https://docs.github.com/en/github/authenticating-to-github/creating-a-personal-access-token

Be aware: after creation, you can not view the token at a later time. Therefore I recommend you to store it for example in your Password Manager as Secured note. (I personally use LastPass)

(If you forget it, you will need to create a new token.)

Jxon AHK Library

The provided AHK script makes use of the Jxon Library available here: https://github.com/cocobelgica/AutoHotkey-JSON

This library is also available in my AHK GitHub.

AHK Script

Improvements

From Joe's script, I have made the following changes:

• GUI improvements
• Add Cancel
• Multiple lines for the Description
• Wider GUI width
• Clean-up Dependencies: only requires Jxon Library (replace ParseJSON by Jxon_Load)
• No need for GitName to be filled
• Open Url after Gist creation (especially useful for commenting the Gist e.g. linking to related blog post)
• Works not only for AHK but any type of files / Clean-up file extension handling
• Git Token is stored as a setting in the Registry

Get the script

The script is available on my GitHub here.

Dependencies

You could compile it as a standalone version if you have AHK installed. (If you want a compiled standalone version, you can reach out to me in the comments or via Twitter)

You can also download a more standalone version from the Gist below. 

Code

You can view the code in this Gist. 

This is a slightly different version than from my GitHub repo version - mainly because of authentification issue with VPN and proxy. 

I have also moved the PowerTools Lib dependencies for setting the registry setting inside the Gist so that it only requires the Jxon Lib.

I really like the way the script send the Http Request and parse the response using the Jxon functions. (Great and key learning in  Joe's sharing)

Run the script

I prefer to run the script by running it ;-) instead of having it waiting for a hotkey trigger.

You can run it by double-clicking on it (if AHK.exe is set as default app to open.)

I like to run it from my preferred Application Launcher Executor.

I have simply added a shortcut to this file and moved it to my indexed Apps Favorites location.

Screencast

Direct Link to YouTube video

See also

Create A Gist With Your Github Account (The Automator)

Creating a personal access token (GitHub Docs)