What are GitHub workflows and how do I use them?

What are GitHub workflows and how do I use them?

GitHub workflows are automated processes that you can set up in your GitHub repository to build, test, and deploy your code. They are defined in YAML files and can be triggered by various events like pushes, pull requests, or on a schedule.

Can you give me an example of a simple workflow?

Sure! A simple workflow could be one that runs tests every time you push code to the main branch. Here's a basic example:

name: CI
on: [push]
jobs:
  build:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - name: Checkout code
        uses: actions/checkout@v2
      - name: Run tests
        run: npm test

How do I trigger a workflow manually?

You can trigger a workflow manually by using the workflow_dispatch event in your YAML file. Here's how you can set it up:

on:
  workflow_dispatch:

This allows you to run the workflow from the GitHub Actions tab in your repository.

What are some common use cases for GitHub workflows?

Common use cases include continuous integration (CI), continuous deployment (CD), automating code reviews, and managing issues or pull requests.