github-actions

Installation
SKILL.md

GitHub Actions

Overview

GitHub Actions is a CI/CD platform that automates build, test, and deployment pipelines directly from GitHub repositories. Workflows are YAML files in .github/workflows/ triggered by events like pushes, pull requests, schedules, or manual dispatch. Each workflow contains one or more jobs that run on GitHub-hosted or self-hosted runners.

When to use: Automated testing, continuous deployment, release automation, scheduled tasks, multi-platform builds, dependency updates, container publishing, code quality checks, security scanning.

When NOT to use: Long-running services (use a proper hosting platform), heavy compute tasks exceeding runner limits (6-hour job timeout), tasks requiring persistent state between runs (use external storage), real-time event processing (use webhooks with a server).

Quick Reference

Pattern Syntax / Action Key Points
Push trigger on: push: branches: [main] Filter by branch, path, or tag
PR trigger on: pull_request: types: [opened, synchronize] Defaults to opened, synchronize, reopened
Scheduled trigger on: schedule: - cron: '0 6 * * 1' UTC only, minimum 5-minute interval
Manual trigger on: workflow_dispatch: inputs: Define typed inputs for manual runs
Job dependencies needs: [build, test] Run jobs in sequence or parallel
Related skills
Installs
43
GitHub Stars
11
First Seen
Feb 20, 2026