how to debug github actions locally

This article provides a detailed guide on how to set up a local environment for debugging GitHub Actions workflows. It covers the installation of necessary tools (Docker, GitHub CLI), initialization of a local environment, and usage of debugging tool

How to debug GitHub Actions locally

How do I set up a local environment for debugging GitHub Actions?

To create a local replica for your GitHub Actions workflow, you will need to ensure that you have the necessary tools installed, including Docker and the GitHub CLI:

1. Install Docker:

   • macOS: brew install docker
   • Windows: Download and install Docker Desktop from the Docker website
   • Linux: Refer to the Docker documentation for instructions specific to your distribution

2. Install GitHub CLI:

   • macOS: brew install gh
   • Windows: Download and install gh from the GitHub website
   • Linux: Install gh using the package manager for your distribution (e.g., apt-get install gh for Debian-based systems)

3. Initialize a local GitHub Actions environment:

   • Clone your repository locally
   • Run gh action local inside the repository directory

This will start a Docker container that contains the same environment as the GitHub Actions runner.

What tools can I use to debug GitHub Actions workflows locally?

There are several tools available for debugging GitHub Actions workflows locally:

1. Logs: GitHub Actions logs all workflow events to the console. You can view these logs by running gh action view --log.
2. Step debugging: You can use the -s or --show-output flag with gh action run to display the output of each step as it runs.
3. Breakpoints: You can set breakpoints within your workflow code using the debug keyword. When a breakpoint is hit, the workflow will pause and you can inspect the state of the workflow.
4. Interactive debugging: You can use the -i or --interactive flag with gh action run to start an interactive debugging session. This will allow you to step through your workflow code and inspect the state of the workflow at any point.

How can I troubleshoot specific errors when debugging GitHub Actions locally?

Specific errors when debugging GitHub Actions locally can be tackled by employing the following strategies:

1. Check the logs: The logs will often contain information about the error.
2. Use step debugging to isolate the error: Run the workflow with -sor --show-output flag to see which step is causing the error.
3. Set breakpoints: Place a breakpoint before the step that is causing the error to inspect the state of the workflow before the error occurs.
4. Use interactive debugging: Start an interactive debugging session with -i or --interactive flag to step through the workflow and inspect the state of the workflow at any point.
5. Search for similar issues online: Check if someone else has encountered the same error and found a solution.

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