GitHub's REST API returns JSON for repositories, pull requests, releases, and organisation metadata. Fine-grained tokens and classic PATs both work; pick the narrowest scope that satisfies the job.

I use it for release checks, README sync, and linking work entries to public repos. GraphQL is available, but REST plus Laravel's HTTP client is enough for most cron-sized tasks.

I recommend the REST API when you need a few endpoints, clear pagination, and caching headers without learning a GraphQL schema.

Laravel HTTP client

$response = Http::withToken(config('services.github.token'))
    ->get('https://api.github.com/repos/owner/repo');

Respect X-RateLimit-Remaining. Cache public metadata when polling.

Authentication

Prefer fine-grained tokens with repo scope limited to what you need. Never commit tokens; use .env and host secrets.

Public data

Unauthenticated requests work for public repos at lower rate limits. Good enough for displaying stars on work cards.

Strengths

Stable resources, excellent docs, works with Illuminate\Http\Client, predictable rate limits with headers.

Weaknesses

Chatty if you fetch too many nested resources. Rate limits bite bulk syncs. Some newer features land in GraphQL first.

Pros

Simple GET for public repo metadata
Webhooks pair well with queues
Octokit patterns map cleanly to PHP

Cons

Multiple calls for rich graphs
Token rotation must be operationalised
Enterprise endpoints differ from github.com

Versus

Choose REST over GraphQL for one-off Laravel commands and webhooks. Reach for GraphQL only when one query must assemble many relations and you accept the tooling cost.