About YAML syntax for GitHub Actions
All actions require a metadata file. The metadata filename must be eitheraction.yml
oraction.yaml
.The data in the metadata file defines the inputs, outputs, and runs configuration for your action.
Action metadata files use YAML syntax. If you're new to YAML, you can read "Learn YAML in five minutes."
name
RequiredThe name of your action. GitHub displays thename
in theActionstab to help visually identify actions in each job.
author
OptionalThe name of the action's author.
description
RequiredA short description of the action.
inputs
OptionalInput parameters allow you to specify data that the action expects to use during runtime. GitHub stores input parameters as environment variables. Input ids with uppercase letters are converted to lowercase during runtime. We recommend using lowercase input ids.
Example: Specifying inputs
This example configures two inputs:num-octocats
andoctocat-eye-color
.Thenum-octocats
input is not required and will default to a value of1
.octocat-eye-color
is required and has no default value.
Note:Workflows usingrequired: true
will not automatically return an error if the input is not specified for events that automatically trigger workflow runs. If you setrequired: true
in your workflow file and are usingworkflow_dispatch
to manually run the workflow, you will be required to specify inputs on GitHub. For more information, see "Events that trigger workflows."
Workflow files that use this action can use thewith
keyword to set an input value foroctocat-eye-color
.For more information about thewith
syntax, see "Workflow syntax for GitHub Actions."
inputs:
num-octocats:
description:'Number of Octocats'
required:false
default:'1'
octocat-eye-color:
description:'Eye color of the Octocats'
required:true
When you specify an input in a workflow file or use a default input value, GitHub creates an environment variable for the input with the nameINPUT_<VARIABLE_NAME>
.The environment variable created converts input names to uppercase letters and replaces spaces with_
characters.
If the action is written using acomposite,then it will not automatically getINPUT_<VARIABLE_NAME>
.If the conversion doesn't occur, you can change these inputs manually.
To access the environment variable in a Docker container action, you must pass the input using theargs
keyword in the action metadata file. For more information about the action metadata file for Docker container actions, see "Creating a Docker container action."
For example, if a workflow defined thenum-octocats
andoctocat-eye-color
inputs, the action code could read the values of the inputs using theINPUT_NUM-OCTOCATS
andINPUT_OCTOCAT-EYE-COLOR
environment variables.
inputs.<input_id>
RequiredAstring
identifier to associate with the input. The value of<input_id>
is a map of the input's metadata. The<input_id>
must be a unique identifier within theinputs
object. The<input_id>
must start with a letter or_
and contain only Alpha numeric characters,-
,or_
.
inputs.<input_id>.description
RequiredAstring
description of the input parameter.
inputs.<input_id>.required
OptionalAboolean
to indicate whether the action requires the input parameter. Set totrue
when the parameter is required.
inputs.<input_id>.default
OptionalAstring
representing the default value. The default value is used when an input parameter isn't specified in a workflow file.
inputs.<input_id>.deprecationMessage
OptionalIf the input parameter is used, thisstring
is logged as a warning message. You can use this warning to notify users that the input is deprecated and mention any alternatives.
outputs
for Docker container and JavaScript actions
OptionalOutput parameters allow you to declare data that an action sets. Actions that run later in a workflow can use the output data set in previously run actions. For example, if you had an action that performed the addition of two inputs (x + y = z), the action could output the sum (z) for other actions to use as an input.
Outputs are Unicode strings, and can be a maximum of 1 MB. The total of all outputs in a workflow run can be a maximum of 50 MB.
If you don't declare an output in your action metadata file, you can still set outputs and use them in a workflow. For more information on setting outputs in an action, see "Workflow commands for GitHub Actions."
Example: Declaring outputs for Docker container and JavaScript actions
outputs:
sum:# id of the output
description:'The sum of the inputs'
outputs.<output_id>
RequiredAstring
identifier to associate with the output. The value of<output_id>
is a map of the output's metadata. The<output_id>
must be a unique identifier within theoutputs
object. The<output_id>
must start with a letter or_
and contain only Alpha numeric characters,-
,or_
.
outputs.<output_id>.description
RequiredAstring
description of the output parameter.
outputs
for composite actions
Optionaloutputs
use the same parameters asoutputs.<output_id>
andoutputs.<output_id>.description
(see "outputs
for Docker container and JavaScript actions"), but also includes thevalue
token.
Outputs are Unicode strings, and can be a maximum of 1 MB. The total of all outputs in a workflow run can be a maximum of 50 MB.
Example: Declaring outputs for composite actions
outputs:
random-number:
description:"Random number"
value:${{steps.random-number-generator.outputs.random-id}}
runs:
using:"composite"
steps:
-id:random-number-generator
run:echo"random-id=$(echo $RANDOM)">>$GITHUB_OUTPUT
shell:bash
outputs.<output_id>.value
RequiredThe value that the output parameter will be mapped to. You can set this to astring
or an expression with context. For example, you can use thesteps
context to set thevalue
of an output to the output value of a step.
For more information on how to use context syntax, see "Accessing contextual information about workflow runs."
runs
RequiredSpecifies whether this is a JavaScript action, a composite action, or a Docker container action and how the action is executed.
runs
for JavaScript actions
RequiredConfigures the path to the action's code and the runtime used to execute the code.
Example: Using Node.js v20
runs:
using:'node20'
main:'main.js'
runs.using
for JavaScript actions
RequiredThe runtime used to execute the code specified inmain
.
- Use
node20
for Node.js v20.
runs.main
RequiredThe file that contains your action code. The runtime specified inusing
executes this file.
runs.pre
OptionalAllows you to run a script at the start of a job, before themain:
action begins. For example, you can usepre:
to run a prerequisite setup script. The runtime specified with theusing
syntax will execute this file. Thepre:
action always runs by default but you can override this usingruns.pre-if
.
In this example, thepre:
action runs a script calledsetup.js
:
runs:
using:'node20'
pre:'setup.js'
main:'index.js'
post:'cleanup.js'
runs.pre-if
OptionalAllows you to define conditions for thepre:
action execution. Thepre:
action will only run if the conditions inpre-if
are met. If not set, thenpre-if
defaults toalways()
.Inpre-if
,status check functions evaluate against the job's status, not the action's own status.
Note that thestep
context is unavailable, as no steps have run yet.
In this example,cleanup.js
only runs on Linux-based runners:
pre:'cleanup.js'
pre-if:runner.os=='linux'
runs.post
OptionalAllows you to run a script at the end of a job, once themain:
action has completed. For example, you can usepost:
to terminate certain processes or remove unneeded files. The runtime specified with theusing
syntax will execute this file.
In this example, thepost:
action runs a script calledcleanup.js
:
runs:
using:'node20'
main:'index.js'
post:'cleanup.js'
Thepost:
action always runs by default but you can override this usingpost-if
.
runs.post-if
OptionalAllows you to define conditions for thepost:
action execution. Thepost:
action will only run if the conditions inpost-if
are met. If not set, thenpost-if
defaults toalways()
.Inpost-if
,status check functions evaluate against the job's status, not the action's own status.
For example, thiscleanup.js
will only run on Linux-based runners:
post:'cleanup.js'
post-if:runner.os=='linux'
runs
for composite actions
RequiredConfigures the path to the composite action.
runs.using
for composite actions
RequiredYou must set this value to'composite'
.
runs.steps
RequiredThe steps that you plan to run in this action. These can be eitherrun
steps oruses
steps.
runs.steps[*].run
OptionalThe command you want to run. This can be inline or a script in your action repository:
runs:
using:"composite"
steps:
-run:${{github.action_path}}/test/script.sh
shell:bash
Alternatively, you can use$GITHUB_ACTION_PATH
:
runs:
using:"composite"
steps:
-run:$GITHUB_ACTION_PATH/script.sh
shell:bash
For more information, see "Accessing contextual information about workflow runs".
runs.steps[*].shell
OptionalThe shell where you want to run the command. You can use any of the shells listed in "Workflow syntax for GitHub Actions."Required ifrun
is set.
runs.steps[*].if
OptionalYou can use theif
conditional to prevent a step from running unless a condition is met. You can use any supported context and expression to create a conditional.
When you use expressions in anif
conditional, you can, optionally, omit the${{ }}
expression syntax because GitHub Actions automatically evaluates theif
conditional as an expression. However, this exception does not apply everywhere.
You must always use the${{ }}
expression syntax or escape with''
,""
,or()
when the expression starts with!
,since!
is reserved notation in YAML format. For example:
if:${{!startsWith(github.ref,'refs/tags/')}}
For more information, see "Evaluate expressions in workflows and actions."
Example: Using contexts
This step only runs when the event type is apull_request
and the event action isunassigned
.
steps:
-run:echoThiseventisapullrequestthathadanassigneeremoved.
if:${{github.event_name=='pull_request'&&github.event.action=='unassigned'}}
Example: Using status check functions
Themy backup step
only runs when the previous step of a composite action fails. For more information, see "Evaluate expressions in workflows and actions."
steps:
-name:Myfirststep
uses:octo-org/action-name@main
-name:Mybackupstep
if:${{failure()}}
uses:actions/[email protected]
runs.steps[*].name
OptionalThe name of the composite step.
runs.steps[*].id
OptionalA unique identifier for the step. You can use theid
to reference the step in contexts. For more information, see "Accessing contextual information about workflow runs."
runs.steps[*].env
OptionalSets amap
of environment variables for only that step. If you want to modify the environment variable stored in the workflow, useecho "{name}={value}" >> $GITHUB_ENV
in a composite step.
runs.steps[*].working-directory
OptionalSpecifies the working directory where the command is run.
runs.steps[*].uses
OptionalSelects an action to run as part of a step in your job. An action is a reusable unit of code. You can use an action defined in the same repository as the workflow, a public repository, or in apublished Docker container image.
We strongly recommend that you include the version of the action you are using by specifying a Git ref, SHA, or Docker tag number. If you don't specify a version, it could break your workflows or cause unexpected behavior when the action owner publishes an update.
- Using the commit SHA of a released action version is the safest for stability and security.
- Using the specific major action version allows you to receive critical fixes and security patches while still maintaining compatibility. It also assures that your workflow should still work.
- Using the default branch of an action may be convenient, but if someone releases a new major version with a breaking change, your workflow could break.
Some actions require inputs that you must set using thewith
keyword. Review the action's README file to determine the inputs required.
runs:
using:"composite"
steps:
# Reference a specific commit
-uses:actions/checkout@8f4b7f84864484a7bf31766abe9204da3cbe65b3
# Reference the major version of a release
-uses:actions/checkout@v4
# Reference a specific version
-uses:actions/[email protected]
# Reference a branch
-uses:actions/checkout@main
# References a subdirectory in a public GitHub repository at a specific branch, ref, or SHA
-uses:actions/aws/ec2@main
# References a local action
-uses:./.github/actions/my-action
# References a docker public registry action
-uses:docker://gcr.io/cloud-builders/gradle
# Reference a docker image published on docker hub
-uses:docker://alpine:3.8
runs.steps[*].with
OptionalAmap
of the input parameters defined by the action. Each input parameter is a key/value pair. For more information, seeExample: Specifying inputs.
runs:
using:"composite"
steps:
-name:Myfirststep
uses:actions/hello_world@main
with:
first_name:Mona
middle_name:The
last_name:Octocat
runs
for Docker container actions
RequiredConfigures the image used for the Docker container action.
Example: Using a Dockerfile in your repository
runs:
using:'docker'
image:'Dockerfile'
Example: Using public Docker registry container
runs:
using:'docker'
image:'docker://debian:stretch-slim'
runs.using
for Docker container actions
RequiredYou must set this value to'docker'
.
runs.pre-entrypoint
OptionalAllows you to run a script before theentrypoint
action begins. For example, you can usepre-entrypoint:
to run a prerequisite setup script. GitHub Actions usesdocker run
to launch this action, and runs the script inside a new container that uses the same base image. This means that the runtime state is different from the mainentrypoint
container, and any states you require must be accessed in either the workspace,HOME
,or as aSTATE_
variable. Thepre-entrypoint:
action always runs by default but you can override this usingruns.pre-if
.
The runtime specified with theusing
syntax will execute this file.
In this example, thepre-entrypoint:
action runs a script calledsetup.sh
:
runs:
using:'docker'
image:'Dockerfile'
args:
-'bzz'
pre-entrypoint:'setup.sh'
entrypoint:'main.sh'
runs.image
RequiredThe Docker image to use as the container to run the action. The value can be the Docker base image name, a localDockerfile
in your repository, or a public image in Docker Hub or another registry. To reference aDockerfile
local to your repository, the file must be namedDockerfile
and you must use a path relative to your action metadata file. Thedocker
application will execute this file.
runs.env
OptionalSpecifies a key/value map of environment variables to set in the container environment.
runs.entrypoint
OptionalOverrides the DockerENTRYPOINT
in theDockerfile
,or sets it if one wasn't already specified. Useentrypoint
when theDockerfile
does not specify anENTRYPOINT
or you want to override theENTRYPOINT
instruction. If you omitentrypoint
,the commands you specify in the DockerENTRYPOINT
instruction will execute. The DockerENTRYPOINT
instruction has ashellform andexecform. The DockerENTRYPOINT
documentation recommends using theexecform of theENTRYPOINT
instruction.
For more information about how theentrypoint
executes, see "Dockerfile support for GitHub Actions."
runs.post-entrypoint
OptionalAllows you to run a cleanup script once theruns.entrypoint
action has completed. GitHub Actions usesdocker run
to launch this action. Because GitHub Actions runs the script inside a new container using the same base image, the runtime state is different from the mainentrypoint
container. You can access any state you need in either the workspace,HOME
,or as aSTATE_
variable. Thepost-entrypoint:
action always runs by default but you can override this usingruns.post-if
.
runs:
using:'docker'
image:'Dockerfile'
args:
-'bzz'
entrypoint:'main.sh'
post-entrypoint:'cleanup.sh'
runs.args
OptionalAn array of strings that define the inputs for a Docker container. Inputs can include hardcoded strings. GitHub passes theargs
to the container'sENTRYPOINT
when the container starts up.
Theargs
are used in place of theCMD
instruction in aDockerfile
.If you useCMD
in yourDockerfile
,use the guidelines ordered by preference:
- Document required arguments in the action's README and omit them from the
CMD
instruction. - Use defaults that allow using the action without specifying any
args
. - If the action exposes a
--help
flag, or something similar, use that to make your action self-documenting.
If you need to pass environment variables into an action, make sure your action runs a command shell to perform variable substitution. For example, if yourentrypoint
attribute is set to"sh -c"
,args
will be run in a command shell. Alternatively, if yourDockerfile
uses anENTRYPOINT
to run the same command ("sh -c"
),args
will execute in a command shell.
For more information about using theCMD
instruction with GitHub Actions, see "Dockerfile support for GitHub Actions."
Example: Defining arguments for the Docker container
runs:
using:'docker'
image:'Dockerfile'
args:
-${{inputs.greeting}}
-'foo'
-'bar'
branding
OptionalYou can use a color andFeathericon to create a badge to personalize and distinguish your action. Badges are shown next to your action name inGitHub Marketplace.
Example: Configuring branding for an action
branding:
icon:'award'
color:'green'
branding.color
The background color of the badge. Can be one of:white
,black
,yellow
,blue
,green
,orange
,red
,purple
,orgray-dark
.
branding.icon
The name of the v4.28.0Feathericon to use.
Omitted icons
Brand icons, and all the following icons, are omitted.
- coffee
- columns
- divide-circle
- divide-square
- divide
- frown
- hexagon
- key
- meh
- mouse-pointer
- smile
- tool
- x-octagon
Exhaustive list of all currently supported icons
- activity
- airplay
- alert-circle
- alert-octagon
- alert-triangle
- align-center
- align-justify
- align-left
- align-right
- anchor
- aperture
- archive
- arrow-down-circle
- arrow-down-left
- arrow-down-right
- arrow-down
- arrow-left-circle
- arrow-left
- arrow-right-circle
- arrow-right
- arrow-up-circle
- arrow-up-left
- arrow-up-right
- arrow-up
- at-sign
- award
- bar-chart-2
- bar-chart
- battery-charging
- battery
- bell-off
- bell
- bluetooth
- bold
- book-open
- book
- bookmark
- box
- briefcase
- calendar
- camera-off
- camera
- cast
- check-circle
- check-square
- check
- chevron-down
- chevron-left
- chevron-right
- chevron-up
- chevrons-down
- chevrons-left
- chevrons-right
- chevrons-up
- circle
- clipboard
- clock
- cloud-drizzle
- cloud-lightning
- cloud-off
- cloud-rain
- cloud-snow
- cloud
- code
- command
- compass
- copy
- corner-down-left
- corner-down-right
- corner-left-down
- corner-left-up
- corner-right-down
- corner-right-up
- corner-up-left
- corner-up-right
- cpu
- credit-card
- crop
- crosshair
- database
- delete
- disc
- dollar-sign
- download-cloud
- download
- droplet
- edit-2
- edit-3
- edit
- external-link
- eye-off
- eye
- fast-forward
- feather
- file-minus
- file-plus
- file-text
- file
- film
- filter
- flag
- folder-minus
- folder-plus
- folder
- gift
- git-branch
- git-commit
- git-merge
- git-pull-request
- globe
- grid
- hard-drive
- hash
- headphones
- heart
- help-circle
- home
- image
- inbox
- info
- italic
- layers
- layout
- life-buoy
- link-2
- link
- list
- loader
- lock
- log-in
- log-out
- map-pin
- map
- maximize-2
- maximize
- menu
- message-circle
- message-square
- mic-off
- mic
- minimize-2
- minimize
- minus-circle
- minus-square
- minus
- monitor
- moon
- more-horizontal
- more-vertical
- move
- music
- navigation-2
- navigation
- octagon
- package
- paperclip
- pause-circle
- pause
- percent
- phone-call
- phone-forwarded
- phone-incoming
- phone-missed
- phone-off
- phone-outgoing
- phone
- pie-chart
- play-circle
- play
- plus-circle
- plus-square
- plus
- power
- printer
- radio
- refresh-ccw
- refresh-cw
- repeat
- rewind
- rotate-ccw
- rotate-cw
- rss
- save
- scissors
- search
- send
- server
- settings
- share-2
- share
- shield-off
- shield
- shopping-bag
- shopping-cart
- shuffle
- sidebar
- skip-back
- skip-forward
- slash
- sliders
- smartphone
- speaker
- square
- star
- stop-circle
- sun
- sunrise
- sunset
- table
- tablet
- tag
- target
- terminal
- thermometer
- thumbs-down
- thumbs-up
- toggle-left
- toggle-right
- trash-2
- trash
- trending-down
- trending-up
- triangle
- truck
- tv
- type
- umbrella
- underline
- unlock
- upload-cloud
- upload
- user-check
- user-minus
- user-plus
- user-x
- user
- users
- video-off
- video
- voicemail
- volume-1
- volume-2
- volume-x
- volume
- watch
- wifi-off
- wifi
- wind
- x-circle
- x-square
- x
- zap-off
- zap
- zoom-in
- zoom-out