GitHub Actions Cheat Sheet

Core Philosophy

1. Optimize for syntax recall — Cheat sheets are for quickly reconstructing working YAML under pressure.
2. Group by workflow concern — Triggers, jobs, expressions, matrices, and reusable workflows should be easy to find separately.
3. Show the sharp edges — Contexts, expressions, and if: logic are where most syntax mistakes happen.
4. Prefer minimal working snippets — Dense, copyable examples beat broad prose.
5. Remember CI is a control system — Syntax matters because release safety depends on it.

Quick-Start: Common Problems

"What is the basic workflow shape?"