diff --git a/test/github.test.cjs b/test/github.test.cjs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c207730
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/github.test.cjs
@@ -0,0 +1,684 @@
+'use strict';
+
+/**
+ * test/github.test.cjs — Unit tests for lib/github.cjs
+ *
+ * Strategy: module cache invalidation + mock.method on childProcess.execSync.
+ *
+ * Before each test:
+ *   1. Evict lib/github.cjs from require.cache
+ *   2. mock.method(childProcess, 'execSync', () => fixture)
+ *   3. Re-require lib/github.cjs so it captures the mock at bind time
+ *
+ * This avoids real gh CLI calls entirely.
+ */
+
+const { describe, it, beforeEach, mock } = require('node:test');
+const assert = require('node:assert/strict');
+const childProcess = require('child_process');
+const path = require('path');
+
+const GITHUB_MODULE = path.resolve(__dirname, '..', 'lib', 'github.cjs');
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Helpers
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+/**
+ * Reload lib/github.cjs with execSync replaced by a fake that returns
+ * `returnValue` (as a Buffer / string — the real execSync returns a string
+ * when encoding is specified, and run() calls .trim() on the result).
+ *
+ * @param {string} returnValue - Raw string the fake execSync should return
+ * @returns {{ github: object, spy: import('node:test').MockFunctionContext }}
+ */
+function loadWithMock(returnValue) {
+  // 1. Evict cached module so the re-require picks up the fresh mock
+  delete require.cache[GITHUB_MODULE];
+
+  // 2. Install mock — mock.method replaces the property on the live object
+  const spy = mock.method(childProcess, 'execSync', (_cmd, _opts) => returnValue);
+
+  // 3. Re-require — github.cjs does `const { execSync } = require('child_process')`
+  //    at module scope, so evicting + re-requiring is the only reliable way to
+  //    make it bind to the mocked function.
+  const github = require(GITHUB_MODULE);
+
+  return { github, spy };
+}
+
+/**
+ * Reload lib/github.cjs with execSync replaced by a fake that throws `error`.
+ */
+function loadWithThrow(error) {
+  delete require.cache[GITHUB_MODULE];
+  mock.method(childProcess, 'execSync', () => { throw error; });
+  return require(GITHUB_MODULE);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Restore mocks after each test so they don't bleed across describe blocks.
+ */
+function restoreMocks() {
+  mock.restoreAll();
+  delete require.cache[GITHUB_MODULE];
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Fixtures — pre-baked JSON strings matching gh CLI output shapes
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+const FX = {
+  repo: 'snipcodeit/mgw',
+
+  issue: JSON.stringify({
+    number: 42,
+    title: 'Fix everything',
+    state: 'OPEN',
+    labels: [{ name: 'bug' }],
+    milestone: { title: 'v1.0', number: 1 },
+    assignees: [{ login: 'hat' }],
+    body: 'Body text'
+  }),
+
+  issueList: JSON.stringify([
+    { number: 1, title: 'First', state: 'OPEN', labels: [], milestone: null, assignees: [] },
+    { number: 2, title: 'Second', state: 'OPEN', labels: [], milestone: null, assignees: [] }
+  ]),
+
+  milestone: JSON.stringify({
+    number: 3,
+    title: 'v1.0',
+    state: 'open',
+    open_issues: 2,
+    closed_issues: 5
+  }),
+
+  rateLimit: JSON.stringify({
+    resources: {
+      core: { remaining: 4999, limit: 5000, reset: 1700000000 }
+    }
+  }),
+
+  closedMilestone: JSON.stringify({
+    number: 3,
+    title: 'v1.0',
+    state: 'closed',
+    open_issues: 0,
+    closed_issues: 7
+  }),
+
+  releaseOutput: 'https://github.com/snipcodeit/mgw/releases/tag/v1.0.0',
+
+  project: JSON.stringify({ number: 7, url: 'https://github.com/orgs/snipcodeit/projects/7' }),
+
+  addItemOutput: 'PVT_kwDOABC123',
+
+  repoMeta: JSON.stringify({
+    id: 'R_kgDOABC',
+    discussionCategories: {
+      nodes: [
+        { id: 'DIC_kwDOABC', name: 'Announcements' },
+        { id: 'DIC_kwDOXYZ', name: 'General' }
+      ]
+    }
+  }),
+
+  discussionResult: JSON.stringify({
+    url: 'https://github.com/snipcodeit/mgw/discussions/99'
+  })
+};
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// getRepo
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+describe('getRepo', () => {
+  beforeEach(restoreMocks);
+
+  it('returns the repo nameWithOwner string', () => {
+    const { github, spy } = loadWithMock(FX.repo);
+    const result = github.getRepo();
+
+    assert.equal(result, 'snipcodeit/mgw');
+    assert.equal(spy.mock.calls.length, 1);
+    assert.ok(
+      spy.mock.calls[0].arguments[0].includes('gh repo view'),
+      'should call gh repo view'
+    );
+    assert.ok(
+      spy.mock.calls[0].arguments[0].includes('nameWithOwner'),
+      'should request nameWithOwner field'
+    );
+  });
+
+  it('propagates execSync errors', () => {
+    const github = loadWithThrow(new Error('gh: not found'));
+    assert.throws(() => github.getRepo(), /gh: not found/);
+  });
+});
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// getIssue
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+describe('getIssue', () => {
+  beforeEach(restoreMocks);
+
+  it('returns parsed issue object', () => {
+    const { github, spy } = loadWithMock(FX.issue);
+    const result = github.getIssue(42);
+
+    assert.equal(result.number, 42);
+    assert.equal(result.title, 'Fix everything');
+    assert.equal(result.state, 'OPEN');
+    assert.deepEqual(result.labels, [{ name: 'bug' }]);
+  });
+
+  it('constructs correct gh issue view command', () => {
+    const { github, spy } = loadWithMock(FX.issue);
+    github.getIssue(42);
+
+    const cmd = spy.mock.calls[0].arguments[0];
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('gh issue view 42'), 'should include issue number');
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('number,title,state,labels,milestone,assignees,body'), 'should request all fields');
+  });
+
+  it('works with string issue number', () => {
+    const { github } = loadWithMock(FX.issue);
+    const result = github.getIssue('42');
+    assert.equal(result.number, 42);
+  });
+
+  it('propagates execSync errors', () => {
+    const github = loadWithThrow(new Error('issue not found'));
+    assert.throws(() => github.getIssue(99), /issue not found/);
+  });
+});
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// listIssues
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+describe('listIssues', () => {
+  beforeEach(restoreMocks);
+
+  it('returns parsed array of issues with no filters', () => {
+    const { github, spy } = loadWithMock(FX.issueList);
+    const result = github.listIssues();
+
+    assert.ok(Array.isArray(result), 'should return array');
+    assert.equal(result.length, 2);
+    assert.equal(result[0].number, 1);
+    assert.equal(result[1].title, 'Second');
+  });
+
+  it('builds base command correctly', () => {
+    const { github, spy } = loadWithMock(FX.issueList);
+    github.listIssues();
+
+    const cmd = spy.mock.calls[0].arguments[0];
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('gh issue list'), 'should start with gh issue list');
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('--json number,title,state,labels,milestone,assignees'), 'should request correct fields');
+  });
+
+  it('appends --label flag when filter.label is set', () => {
+    const { github, spy } = loadWithMock(FX.issueList);
+    github.listIssues({ label: 'bug' });
+
+    const cmd = spy.mock.calls[0].arguments[0];
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('--label'), 'should include --label flag');
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('bug'), 'should include label value');
+  });
+
+  it('appends --milestone flag when filter.milestone is set', () => {
+    const { github, spy } = loadWithMock(FX.issueList);
+    github.listIssues({ milestone: 'v1.0' });
+
+    const cmd = spy.mock.calls[0].arguments[0];
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('--milestone'), 'should include --milestone flag');
+  });
+
+  it('appends --assignee flag when filter.assignee is set and not "all"', () => {
+    const { github, spy } = loadWithMock(FX.issueList);
+    github.listIssues({ assignee: 'hat' });
+
+    const cmd = spy.mock.calls[0].arguments[0];
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('--assignee'), 'should include --assignee flag');
+  });
+
+  it('omits --assignee when filter.assignee is "all"', () => {
+    const { github, spy } = loadWithMock(FX.issueList);
+    github.listIssues({ assignee: 'all' });
+
+    const cmd = spy.mock.calls[0].arguments[0];
+    assert.ok(!cmd.includes('--assignee'), 'should NOT include --assignee for "all"');
+  });
+
+  it('appends --state flag when filter.state is set', () => {
+    const { github, spy } = loadWithMock(FX.issueList);
+    github.listIssues({ state: 'closed' });
+
+    const cmd = spy.mock.calls[0].arguments[0];
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('--state closed'), 'should include --state flag');
+  });
+
+  it('propagates execSync errors', () => {
+    const github = loadWithThrow(new Error('rate limit exceeded'));
+    assert.throws(() => github.listIssues(), /rate limit exceeded/);
+  });
+});
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// getMilestone
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+describe('getMilestone', () => {
+  beforeEach(restoreMocks);
+
+  it('returns parsed milestone object', () => {
+    // getMilestone calls getRepo() first, then fetches the milestone.
+    // We return FX.repo for the first call, FX.milestone for the second.
+    let callCount = 0;
+    delete require.cache[GITHUB_MODULE];
+    mock.method(childProcess, 'execSync', (_cmd, _opts) => {
+      callCount++;
+      return callCount === 1 ? FX.repo : FX.milestone;
+    });
+    const github = require(GITHUB_MODULE);
+
+    const result = github.getMilestone(3);
+    assert.equal(result.number, 3);
+    assert.equal(result.title, 'v1.0');
+    assert.equal(result.state, 'open');
+  });
+
+  it('constructs correct gh api repos/{repo}/milestones/{number} command', () => {
+    let callCount = 0;
+    const calls = [];
+    delete require.cache[GITHUB_MODULE];
+    mock.method(childProcess, 'execSync', (cmd, _opts) => {
+      callCount++;
+      calls.push(cmd);
+      return callCount === 1 ? FX.repo : FX.milestone;
+    });
+    const github = require(GITHUB_MODULE);
+
+    github.getMilestone(3);
+    assert.equal(calls.length, 2);
+    assert.ok(calls[0].includes('gh repo view'), 'first call should be getRepo');
+    assert.ok(calls[1].includes('gh api repos/snipcodeit/mgw/milestones/3'), 'second call should be getMilestone');
+  });
+
+  it('propagates execSync errors', () => {
+    const github = loadWithThrow(new Error('milestone not found'));
+    assert.throws(() => github.getMilestone(99), /milestone not found/);
+  });
+});
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// getRateLimit
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+describe('getRateLimit', () => {
+  beforeEach(restoreMocks);
+
+  it('returns core rate limit fields', () => {
+    const { github } = loadWithMock(FX.rateLimit);
+    const result = github.getRateLimit();
+
+    assert.equal(result.remaining, 4999);
+    assert.equal(result.limit, 5000);
+    assert.equal(result.reset, 1700000000);
+  });
+
+  it('constructs correct gh api rate_limit command', () => {
+    const { github, spy } = loadWithMock(FX.rateLimit);
+    github.getRateLimit();
+
+    const cmd = spy.mock.calls[0].arguments[0];
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('gh api rate_limit'), 'should call gh api rate_limit');
+  });
+
+  it('does not include extra fields beyond remaining/limit/reset', () => {
+    const { github } = loadWithMock(FX.rateLimit);
+    const result = github.getRateLimit();
+
+    const keys = Object.keys(result);
+    assert.deepEqual(keys.sort(), ['limit', 'remaining', 'reset']);
+  });
+
+  it('propagates execSync errors', () => {
+    const github = loadWithThrow(new Error('network error'));
+    assert.throws(() => github.getRateLimit(), /network error/);
+  });
+});
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// closeMilestone
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+describe('closeMilestone', () => {
+  beforeEach(restoreMocks);
+
+  it('returns parsed updated milestone JSON', () => {
+    const { github } = loadWithMock(FX.closedMilestone);
+    const result = github.closeMilestone('snipcodeit/mgw', 3);
+
+    assert.equal(result.state, 'closed');
+    assert.equal(result.number, 3);
+  });
+
+  it('constructs correct PATCH command', () => {
+    const { github, spy } = loadWithMock(FX.closedMilestone);
+    github.closeMilestone('snipcodeit/mgw', 3);
+
+    const cmd = spy.mock.calls[0].arguments[0];
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('gh api repos/snipcodeit/mgw/milestones/3'), 'should target correct milestone');
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('--method PATCH'), 'should use PATCH method');
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('-f state=closed'), 'should send state=closed');
+  });
+
+  it('propagates execSync errors', () => {
+    const github = loadWithThrow(new Error('forbidden'));
+    assert.throws(() => github.closeMilestone('snipcodeit/mgw', 3), /forbidden/);
+  });
+});
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// createRelease
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+describe('createRelease', () => {
+  beforeEach(restoreMocks);
+
+  it('returns raw output string from gh release create', () => {
+    const { github } = loadWithMock(FX.releaseOutput);
+    const result = github.createRelease('snipcodeit/mgw', 'v1.0.0', 'Release v1.0.0');
+
+    assert.equal(result, FX.releaseOutput);
+  });
+
+  it('constructs base command with tag, repo, and title', () => {
+    const { github, spy } = loadWithMock(FX.releaseOutput);
+    github.createRelease('snipcodeit/mgw', 'v1.0.0', 'Release v1.0.0');
+
+    const cmd = spy.mock.calls[0].arguments[0];
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('gh release create'), 'should call gh release create');
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('v1.0.0'), 'should include tag');
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('snipcodeit/mgw'), 'should include repo');
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('Release v1.0.0'), 'should include title');
+  });
+
+  it('appends --notes when opts.notes is provided', () => {
+    const { github, spy } = loadWithMock(FX.releaseOutput);
+    github.createRelease('snipcodeit/mgw', 'v1.0.0', 'Release v1.0.0', { notes: 'Bug fixes' });
+
+    const cmd = spy.mock.calls[0].arguments[0];
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('--notes'), 'should include --notes flag');
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('Bug fixes'), 'should include notes content');
+  });
+
+  it('appends --draft when opts.draft is true', () => {
+    const { github, spy } = loadWithMock(FX.releaseOutput);
+    github.createRelease('snipcodeit/mgw', 'v1.0.0', 'Release v1.0.0', { draft: true });
+
+    const cmd = spy.mock.calls[0].arguments[0];
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('--draft'), 'should include --draft flag');
+  });
+
+  it('appends --prerelease when opts.prerelease is true', () => {
+    const { github, spy } = loadWithMock(FX.releaseOutput);
+    github.createRelease('snipcodeit/mgw', 'v1.0.0', 'Release v1.0.0', { prerelease: true });
+
+    const cmd = spy.mock.calls[0].arguments[0];
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('--prerelease'), 'should include --prerelease flag');
+  });
+
+  it('does not append --draft or --prerelease when opts are false', () => {
+    const { github, spy } = loadWithMock(FX.releaseOutput);
+    github.createRelease('snipcodeit/mgw', 'v1.0.0', 'Release v1.0.0', { draft: false, prerelease: false });
+
+    const cmd = spy.mock.calls[0].arguments[0];
+    assert.ok(!cmd.includes('--draft'), 'should NOT include --draft when false');
+    assert.ok(!cmd.includes('--prerelease'), 'should NOT include --prerelease when false');
+  });
+
+  it('propagates execSync errors', () => {
+    const github = loadWithThrow(new Error('tag already exists'));
+    assert.throws(() => github.createRelease('snipcodeit/mgw', 'v1.0.0', 'Dup'), /tag already exists/);
+  });
+});
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// createProject
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+describe('createProject', () => {
+  beforeEach(restoreMocks);
+
+  it('returns { number, url } from parsed JSON', () => {
+    const { github } = loadWithMock(FX.project);
+    const result = github.createProject('snipcodeit', 'My Board');
+
+    assert.equal(result.number, 7);
+    assert.equal(result.url, 'https://github.com/orgs/snipcodeit/projects/7');
+  });
+
+  it('constructs correct gh project create command', () => {
+    const { github, spy } = loadWithMock(FX.project);
+    github.createProject('snipcodeit', 'My Board');
+
+    const cmd = spy.mock.calls[0].arguments[0];
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('gh project create'), 'should call gh project create');
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('snipcodeit'), 'should include owner');
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('My Board'), 'should include title');
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('--format json'), 'should request json format');
+  });
+
+  it('propagates execSync errors', () => {
+    const github = loadWithThrow(new Error('org not found'));
+    assert.throws(() => github.createProject('bad-org', 'Board'), /org not found/);
+  });
+});
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// addItemToProject
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+describe('addItemToProject', () => {
+  beforeEach(restoreMocks);
+
+  it('returns the raw item ID string', () => {
+    const { github } = loadWithMock(FX.addItemOutput);
+    const result = github.addItemToProject('snipcodeit', 7, 'https://github.com/snipcodeit/mgw/issues/1');
+
+    assert.equal(result, FX.addItemOutput);
+  });
+
+  it('constructs correct gh project item-add command', () => {
+    const { github, spy } = loadWithMock(FX.addItemOutput);
+    github.addItemToProject('snipcodeit', 7, 'https://github.com/snipcodeit/mgw/issues/1');
+
+    const cmd = spy.mock.calls[0].arguments[0];
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('gh project item-add 7'), 'should include project number');
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('snipcodeit'), 'should include owner');
+    assert.ok(cmd.includes('https://github.com/snipcodeit/mgw/issues/1'), 'should include issue URL');
+  });
+
+  it('propagates execSync errors', () => {
+    const github = loadWithThrow(new Error('project not found'));
+    assert.throws(() => github.addItemToProject('snipcodeit', 99, 'https://github.com/snipcodeit/mgw/issues/1'), /project not found/);
+  });
+});
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// postMilestoneStartAnnouncement
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+describe('postMilestoneStartAnnouncement', () => {
+  beforeEach(restoreMocks);
+
+  const baseOpts = {
+    repo: 'snipcodeit/mgw',
+    milestoneName: 'v3.5',
+    milestoneNumber: 5,
+    boardUrl: 'https://github.com/orgs/snipcodeit/projects/7',
+    issues: [
+      { number: 134, title: 'Write tests', assignee: 'hat', gsdRoute: 'execute' }
+    ],
+    firstIssueNumber: 134
+  };
+
+  it('returns { posted: true, method: "discussion", url } when Discussions succeed', () => {
+    let callCount = 0;
+    delete require.cache[GITHUB_MODULE];
+    mock.method(childProcess, 'execSync', (_cmd, _opts) => {
+      callCount++;
+      // First call: repoMeta GraphQL query
+      if (callCount === 1) return FX.repoMeta;
+      // Second call: createDiscussion mutation
+      return FX.discussionResult;
+    });
+    const github = require(GITHUB_MODULE);
+
+    const result = github.postMilestoneStartAnnouncement(baseOpts);
+    assert.equal(result.posted, true);
+    assert.equal(result.method, 'discussion');
+    assert.equal(result.url, 'https://github.com/snipcodeit/mgw/discussions/99');
+  });
+
+  it('falls back to issue comment when Discussions are not available', () => {
+    // Return repoMeta WITHOUT an Announcements category
+    const repoMetaNoAnnouncements = JSON.stringify({
+      id: 'R_kgDOABC',
+      discussionCategories: { nodes: [{ id: 'DIC_kwDOXYZ', name: 'General' }] }
+    });
+
+    let callCount = 0;
+    delete require.cache[GITHUB_MODULE];
+    mock.method(childProcess, 'execSync', (_cmd, _opts) => {
+      callCount++;
+      if (callCount === 1) return repoMetaNoAnnouncements;
+      // Second call is the fallback comment
+      return '';
+    });
+    const github = require(GITHUB_MODULE);
+
+    const result = github.postMilestoneStartAnnouncement(baseOpts);
+    assert.equal(result.posted, true);
+    assert.equal(result.method, 'comment');
+    assert.equal(result.url, null);
+  });
+
+  it('falls back to issue comment when GraphQL throws', () => {
+    let callCount = 0;
+    delete require.cache[GITHUB_MODULE];
+    mock.method(childProcess, 'execSync', (_cmd, _opts) => {
+      callCount++;
+      if (callCount === 1) throw new Error('Discussions not enabled');
+      // Second call is the fallback comment
+      return '';
+    });
+    const github = require(GITHUB_MODULE);
+
+    const result = github.postMilestoneStartAnnouncement(baseOpts);
+    assert.equal(result.posted, true);
+    assert.equal(result.method, 'comment');
+  });
+
+  it('returns { posted: false, method: "none" } when both paths fail', () => {
+    delete require.cache[GITHUB_MODULE];
+    mock.method(childProcess, 'execSync', () => { throw new Error('all failed'); });
+    const github = require(GITHUB_MODULE);
+
+    const result = github.postMilestoneStartAnnouncement(baseOpts);
+    assert.equal(result.posted, false);
+    assert.equal(result.method, 'none');
+    assert.equal(result.url, null);
+  });
+
+  it('returns { posted: false } when no repo or firstIssueNumber is provided', () => {
+    // No repo → skip GraphQL; no firstIssueNumber → skip comment fallback
+    const { github } = loadWithMock('');
+    const result = github.postMilestoneStartAnnouncement({
+      milestoneName: 'v3.5',
+      issues: []
+    });
+
+    assert.equal(result.posted, false);
+    assert.equal(result.method, 'none');
+  });
+
+  it('includes boardUrl line in constructed body when boardUrl is provided', () => {
+    let capturedBody = '';
+    let callCount = 0;
+    delete require.cache[GITHUB_MODULE];
+    mock.method(childProcess, 'execSync', (cmd, _opts) => {
+      callCount++;
+      if (callCount === 1) return FX.repoMeta;
+      // Capture the createDiscussion call to inspect the body
+      capturedBody = cmd;
+      return FX.discussionResult;
+    });
+    const github = require(GITHUB_MODULE);
+
+    github.postMilestoneStartAnnouncement(baseOpts);
+    // The second execSync call contains the mutation with the board URL embedded
+    assert.ok(capturedBody.includes('https://github.com/orgs/snipcodeit/projects/7'), 'body should include board URL');
+  });
+
+  it('uses "_(not configured)_" when boardUrl is not provided', () => {
+    let capturedBody = '';
+    let callCount = 0;
+    delete require.cache[GITHUB_MODULE];
+    mock.method(childProcess, 'execSync', (cmd, _opts) => {
+      callCount++;
+      if (callCount === 1) return FX.repoMeta;
+      capturedBody = cmd;
+      return FX.discussionResult;
+    });
+    const github = require(GITHUB_MODULE);
+
+    github.postMilestoneStartAnnouncement({ ...baseOpts, boardUrl: undefined });
+    assert.ok(capturedBody.includes('not configured'), 'body should include "not configured" when no board URL');
+  });
+
+  it('includes issue table rows in constructed body', () => {
+    let capturedBody = '';
+    let callCount = 0;
+    delete require.cache[GITHUB_MODULE];
+    mock.method(childProcess, 'execSync', (cmd, _opts) => {
+      callCount++;
+      if (callCount === 1) return FX.repoMeta;
+      capturedBody = cmd;
+      return FX.discussionResult;
+    });
+    const github = require(GITHUB_MODULE);
+
+    github.postMilestoneStartAnnouncement(baseOpts);
+    assert.ok(capturedBody.includes('#134'), 'body should include issue number');
+    assert.ok(capturedBody.includes('Write tests'), 'body should include issue title');
+    assert.ok(capturedBody.includes('@hat'), 'body should include assignee');
+  });
+
+  it('renders "—" for unassigned issues in body', () => {
+    let capturedBody = '';
+    let callCount = 0;
+    delete require.cache[GITHUB_MODULE];
+    mock.method(childProcess, 'execSync', (cmd, _opts) => {
+      callCount++;
+      if (callCount === 1) return FX.repoMeta;
+      capturedBody = cmd;
+      return FX.discussionResult;
+    });
+    const github = require(GITHUB_MODULE);
+
+    github.postMilestoneStartAnnouncement({
+      ...baseOpts,
+      issues: [{ number: 1, title: 'Unassigned issue', assignee: null, gsdRoute: 'execute' }]
+    });
+    // The em dash "—" appears as the assignee placeholder
+    assert.ok(capturedBody.includes('\\u2014') || capturedBody.includes('—'), 'body should include em dash for unassigned');
+  });
+});