Apply labels and close stale issues and PRs

[GarethCabournDavies]

This implements a new GitHub action to apply labels warning that a PR or issue is stale, and closes it automatically if nothing happens for a week after it has been labelled stale

I think I've set it so that we can apply bug or long term labels so that this won't happen.

Standard information about the request

This is a new feature for GitHub management
This change has been proposed using the contribution guidelines

Motivation

I want to reduce the number of issues, and this is the easiest way to do that, rather than commenting on each one asking for an update.

Contents

Add a GitHub workflow which uses the Close Stale Issues action to mark and close issues/PRs

Links to any issues or associated PRs

I could link all the issues and PRs older than a couple of months, but lets not do that for now.

Testing performed

None

• The author of this pull request confirms they will adhere to the code of conduct

[spxiwh]

This makes sense to me, but I'd like @ahnitz 's approval as well before merging.

[titodalcanton]

I generally dislike this approach to issues, but will not oppose if there is consensus from others.

[ahnitz]

I think this is fine. The main issue is making sure people then add long-term labels to planning things and 'bug' as appropriate.

[Copilot]

Pull Request Overview

This PR implements a GitHub workflow to automatically mark stale issues and PRs, reducing backlog by closing those inactive for 60 days.

• Adds a new GitHub action workflow using actions/stale@v9.
• Configures exempt labels ("bug" and "long term") to prevent auto-closure of important items.

[GarethCabournDavies]

I do see this as more a reminder to close if things are transient, or a kick to get things moving if it has just been delayed

Please approve or reject if we don't want this

[GarethCabournDavies]

Ping on this