Learn GITHUB-ACTIONS with Real Code Examples

GitHub Actions enables automation of development workflows within GitHub repositories.

Workflows are defined in YAML files under `.github/workflows/`.

Supports triggers like push, pull request, schedule, and manual dispatch.

Integrates with GitHub ecosystem, third-party services, and self-hosted runners.

Ideal for CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, code linting, and deployment tasks.

Workflow files in `.github/workflows/`

Job and step orchestration

Event-based triggers

Secrets and environment management

Artifact and cache management

Workflow - a YAML file defining automation tasks

Job - a group of steps executed on a runner

Step - an individual task within a job

Action - reusable task or script

Runner - environment executing jobs (hosted or self-hosted)

.github/workflows/ - contains workflow YAML files

Optional scripts/ folder for reusable shell scripts

Secrets configured in repository settings

Artifacts or cache directories defined in workflow

README.md can reference workflow usage

Create `.github/workflows/` directory

Define workflow YAML file

Specify trigger events (push, pull_request, schedule, etc.)

Define jobs and steps with actions or scripts

Commit file and verify workflow execution in Actions tab

Beginner: run unit tests on push

Intermediate: deploy to staging environment

Advanced: matrix testing across multiple OS and language versions

Expert: orchestrate multi-repo workflows with conditional steps

Architect: enterprise CI/CD with secure secrets, caching, and self-hosted runners

GitHub Actions vs Jenkins - GitHub-native vs standalone CI server

GitHub Actions vs Travis CI - tighter GitHub integration vs external service

GitHub Actions vs CircleCI - integrated vs external SaaS

GitHub Actions vs Azure Pipelines - GitHub-focused vs multi-platform

GitHub Actions vs Docker Compose - Actions orchestrates CI/CD, Compose orchestrates containers

2018 - GitHub Actions publicly launched

2019 - Introduced reusable actions and workflow templates

2020 - Added matrix builds and concurrency controls

2021 - Improved self-hosted runner management

2022–2025 - Continuous updates for security, performance, and marketplace growth

Workflow - automation defined in YAML

Job - set of steps executed on a runner

Step - individual command or action

Action - reusable automation unit

Runner - environment executing the workflow