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GitHub Actions Runtime Upgrade

Upgrade GitHub Actions workflow steps to supported runtimes with safe, pinned versions and checks.

Source Download skill
Repository
github/awesome-copilot
Stars
40,703
Licence
MIT
Files
1 file

What it does

When a GitHub Actions workflow shows warnings that an action runs on an outdated runtime, this skill guides the agent to upgrade those actions in the workflow files. It asks the agent to pick the latest compatible major version, pin it to a full commit SHA instead of a mutable tag, change one action at a time, and keep the workflow's triggers and permissions the same. It also gives a checklist for re-running workflows and noting the changes in the pull request.

Great for

  • Maintainers seeing Node.js or other runtime deprecation warnings in CI logs
  • Teams upgrading actions/setup-* and other first-party actions in .github/workflows files
  • Developers who want reproducible, SHA-pinned action versions in pull requests

Skip it if

  • Repositories where Dependabot already handles workflow updates and no runtime warnings appear, since the skill adds little there
  • Workflows that need a specific older action version for compatibility, because forcing the latest major could break them
  • Anyone expecting the skill to verify the commit SHAs itself; it only instructs the agent and runs no checks on its own

Try asking

  • “My CI log says actions/setup-node is running on a deprecated Node runtime. Upgrade it in my workflows.”
  • “Update the actions in .github/workflows/build.yml to supported runtimes and pin them to commit SHAs.”
  • “Fix the deprecation warnings in our workflows one action at a time and list what changed for the PR summary.”
Step-by-step guide: how to use GitHub Actions Runtime UpgradeInstall, first run, examples, tips and FAQs

Install in 3 steps

  1. 1

    Download the skill

    The ZIP contains the 1 original files, the MIT licence and an attribution note.

    github-actions-runtime-upgrade-conventions.zip
  2. 2

    Add it to your agent

    Claude Code (all projects)

    mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && unzip github-actions-runtime-upgrade-conventions.zip -d ~/.claude/skills/

    Claude Code / Agent SDK (this project only)

    mkdir -p .claude/skills && unzip github-actions-runtime-upgrade-conventions.zip -d .claude/skills/

    Claude apps (web/desktop): Settings → Capabilities → Skills → Upload skill, and choose the ZIP.

  3. 3

    Ask for the task

    No special command needed — the agent reads the skill's description and loads it when your request matches. Try one of the prompts above.

Get better results

  • Give the agent the exact deprecation warning text from the workflow log so it targets the right action.
  • Review each SHA against the action's official release page before merging, since the skill does not verify them.
  • Ask for one action per commit so any failing upgrade is easy to roll back.

What's inside

  • SKILL.md

Redistributed unmodified from github/awesome-copilot under the MIT licence. The assessment was drafted with AI from the skill's files on 2026-10-29. Skills can instruct your agent to run code — read SKILL.md and any scripts before installing.