Your kanban deserves more than a repo sidebar
GitHub Projects works for basic issue triage. But when you need real workflows, AI-powered tickets, and analytics — you need a dedicated kanban tool.
Kanbo is a GitHub Projects alternative for developer teams that need more than basic issue tracking. It adds AI-powered ticket writing, enforced workflow transitions, a rich text editor with code blocks, analytics dashboards, and an MCP server with 125 tools for AI agent integration. Free for up to 3 projects.
Common GitHub Projects frustrations
- No custom workflow transitions — any status change is allowed
- No AI ticket writing — just basic Copilot suggestions
- Markdown-only descriptions — no rich text, no slash commands
- Basic insights — no velocity, cycle time, or burndown charts
- No release management with goals and burndown tracking
Side-by-side comparison
See how Kanbo stacks up against GitHub Projects across the features that matter most.
| Feature | Kanbo | GitHub Projects |
|---|---|---|
| AI Features | Built-in: polish titles, generate descriptions, check clarity | Copilot for issues (limited, requires Copilot subscription) |
| Custom Workflows | Visual statuses with enforced transition rules | Status field with no transition enforcement |
| Rich Text Editor | 33 extensions, 27 slash commands, 7 ticket templates | Markdown only — no slash commands or templates |
| Analytics | Velocity, cycle time, burndown, member workload | Basic insights charts (limited to project views) |
| MCP Server | 125 tools for Claude, Cursor, Windsurf integration | GitHub MCP available but focused on repo operations |
| Release Management | Releases with goals, burndown, ticket assignment | Milestones — basic grouping, no burndown charts |
| Git Integration | API-based — connect via webhooks or automation | Native: auto-close issues, link PRs, branch tracking |
| Pricing | Free: 3 projects, 3 members. Pro: $5/user/mo (annual) | Free with GitHub — included in all plans |
| Multi-Repo Support | Repo-agnostic — one project can span multiple repos | Can pull from multiple repos, but tightly coupled to GitHub |
| Backlog Management | Dedicated backlog with infinite scroll, separate from board | All items in one view — no dedicated backlog separation |
Frequently asked questions
Why not just use GitHub Projects? It's free.
GitHub Projects is great for issue triage, but it lacks custom workflows with transition rules, AI ticket writing, analytics dashboards, a rich text editor, and release management. If your project management needs go beyond basic issue tracking, Kanbo fills those gaps.
Can I connect Kanbo to GitHub?
Yes. Use Kanbo's REST API or MCP server to create tickets from GitHub Actions, webhooks, or AI agents. Many teams use GitHub for code and Kanbo for project management.
Is Kanbo good for developer teams?
Kanbo was built by developers. It includes API keys for automation, an MCP server with 125 tools for AI agents, code blocks in the rich text editor, and a keyboard-friendly UI designed for speed.
Does Kanbo support multiple repos?
Kanbo is repo-agnostic. One Kanbo project can track work across multiple repositories. Use tags, custom fields, or ticket descriptions to reference repos and PRs.
Ready to try something simpler?
Set up your first board in under 5 minutes. No credit card required.