Explore GitHub Actions & Workflow Automation

GitHub Actions and Workflows enable seamless CI/CD automation and DevOps practices directly within your GitHub repository.

What is a Workflow?

A workflow is an automated process that runs one or more jobs. Workflows are defined in YAML files stored in the .github/workflows directory of your repository. Workflows are triggered by events such as code pushes, pull requests, or scheduled intervals.

What is an Action?

An action is a reusable piece of code that performs a specific task within a workflow, such as running tests, deploying code, or sending notifications.

How Workflows and Actions Work Together

Workflows are defined with YAML syntax inside the .github/workflows directory.
Multiple actions can be combined to create complex automation pipelines.
Workflows can be triggered by various events: code pushes, pull requests, schedules, or manually.

Core Components of a Workflow

Events: Define what triggers the workflow.
Jobs: Collections of steps executed on runners.
Steps: Individual tasks, which can be scripts or actions.

Workflow Triggers

Workflows can be triggered by:

Repository events (push, pull request, etc.)
External events via repository_dispatch
Scheduled times (cron syntax)
Manual triggers (workflow_dispatch)

Types of GitHub Actions

Container Actions: Run in Docker containers, suitable for custom environments (Linux only).
JavaScript Actions: Run directly in Node.js, cross-platform.
Composite Actions: Combine multiple steps or actions for reusability.

Best Practices for GitHub Actions

Keep workflows modular and reusable.
Utilize marketplace actions where possible.
Secure secrets and sensitive data.
Document workflows for maintainability.

Common Use Cases for GitHub Actions

Ensure the code passes all unit and integration tests.
Perform code quality and compliance checks.
Check code and dependencies for known security issues.
Build and deploy code to servers or cloud platforms.
Automate versioning and releases.
Notify teams or individuals when tasks fail.