Auto-label PRs based off of paths touched

[monilpat]

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.

Managing contributions in an open-source project can be challenging, especially when it comes to efficiently categorizing and prioritizing incoming pull requests. Manually labeling each pull request based on the files changed or branch names is time-consuming and prone to errors, leading to delays in reviews and potential contributor frustration.

Describe the solution you'd like

Implementing an automated labeling system using GitHub Actions, specifically the actions/labeler action, would streamline this process. By configuring a .github/labeler.yml file, we can define rules that automatically apply labels to pull requests based on criteria such as modified file paths or branch naming conventions. This automation ensures consistent labeling, accelerates the triage process, and allows maintainers to focus on meaningful code reviews.

Describe alternatives you've considered

• Manual Labeling: Continuing to label pull requests by hand, which is inefficient and susceptible to human error.

• Custom Scripts: Developing bespoke scripts to handle labeling, which would require additional maintenance and might not integrate seamlessly with GitHub's ecosystem.

Additional context

Automated labeling enhances the contributor experience by providing immediate feedback on the categorization of their pull requests. It also aids in project management by ensuring that all contributions are appropriately tagged, facilitating better tracking and prioritization. Implementing this feature aligns with best practices for open-source project maintenance, promoting efficiency and encouraging more streamlined collaboration.

For more information on setting up the labeler action, refer to the official GitHub documentation: