update-github-actions-version

Original：🇺🇸 English
Translated

Update GitHub Actions versions in workflow files, focusing only on major version changes. Use when the user wants to update action versions, check for outdated GitHub Actions, or upgrade workflow dependencies to their latest major versions.

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npx skill4agent add jim60105/copilot-prompt update-github-actions-version

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Translated version includes tags in frontmatter
github-actions-upgradeworkflow-versioningci-cd-maintenanceversion-updatechangelog-review

SKILL.md Content

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Update GitHub Actions Version

Update action versions in GitHub Actions workflow files, focusing on major version changes only.

Important Principles: Explanation of GitHub Actions Version Tagging System

  • Using a major version number (e.g., 
    v4
    ) automatically fetches the latest minor and patch versions.
  • For example, 
    actions/checkout@v4
    will automatically get versions like 
    v4.2.2
    , 
    v4.3.0
    .
  • Do not update from 
    v4
    to a specific version like 
    v4.2.2
    — this is unnecessary.
  • Only update when the major version changes (e.g., from 
    v5
    to 
    v6
    ).
Note: Skip 
fatjyc/update-submodule-action@v6.0
updates as the new version is broken.

Steps

0. Find Workflow Files

Look for files in 
.github/workflows/
recursively. Note that composite actions may be used — read both the composite action and the calling workflow simultaneously.

1. Check Current Versions

Analyze the action versions used in the workflow files.

2. Query Latest Versions

Query each action's latest version:
https://github.com/{owner}/{repo}/releases/latest

3. Identify Actions Needing Updates

Only update actions where the major version has changed:
  • ✅ Update: 
    docker/build-push-action@v5
    → 
    @v6
  • ❌ Skip: 
    actions/checkout@v4
    → 
    @v4.2.2
Note: Skip 
fatjyc/update-submodule-action@v6.0
updates as the new version is broken and v6.0 is fine.

4. Obtain Changelogs

For actions requiring updates, retrieve changelogs to understand breaking changes.

5. Update Files

Update version numbers and make adjustments for any breaking changes.

6. Commit Changes

Git add and commit your changes with a clear message indicating the updates made.

Example Illustration

✅ Correct Update

yaml
# From
uses: docker/build-push-action@v5
# Update to 
uses: docker/build-push-action@v6

❌ Incorrect Update (Unnecessary)

yaml
# From 
uses: actions/checkout@v4 
# Incorrectly updated to 
uses: actions/checkout@v4 .2 .2

✅ Correct Practice (Keep Unchanged)

yaml
# Keep unchanged 
uses :actions / checkout @ v 4  
GitHub will automatically use the latest v 4.x.x release