The GitHub repository is a mirror development repository, not a
distribution repository.
Out of curiosity, why is that? Virtually every open source project I've seen except Lua does their development in the same directory tree/repository that they build and distribute from.
Why is Lua different in that regard? Are there certain benefits to it (and if so, what are they)? Or is it solely a case of "this is how we've always done it"?
Also, how do you assemble the distribution tarballs? By hand or with a script? If with a script, is that script available, or would you mind releasing it? I have some ideas that might involve automated assembly of Lua "distribution" trees from the development repositories. I could probably write my own script, but it's likely easier to use yours if you have one.