GitHub Actions
- React Native course
- Advanced
- Lesson 76/83
- 5 min
Learn CI with GitHub Actions.
What is GitHub Actions?
GitHub Actions is the continuous integration (CI) service built into GitHub. You drop YAML files into .github/workflows/; each file is a workflow. When an event triggers (for example push) the workflow runs.
A workflow holds one or more jobs; each job is a sequence of steps. In steps you run commands or call ready-made actions (uses:). A typical React Native flow: install dependencies, run tests, build with EAS. This flow runs automatically on every commit.
Practice Write the workflow skeleton
Write a workflow YAML file. The root holds name and on fields. Under on add a push event and a branches list.
Starter code
# add the workflow name and trigger hereSample solution
name: CI
on:
push:
branches:
- mainjob and steps
A job is a sequence of steps running on one machine. You pick the OS with runs-on; ubuntu-latest is common for React Native. Each step either runs a command (run:) or calls an action (uses:).
Example: uses: actions/checkout@v4 pulls the repo; run: npm ci installs dependencies. Steps run in order; if one fails the job stops. Job names must be unique; each job can run on its own machine in parallel.
Questions and answers
Review the lesson questions together with their answers. To test yourself, solve the lesson interactively.
1 What does runs-on pick?
jobs:
build:
runs-on: ?- The branch name
- The version number
- The OS Correct answer
- The package name
Explanation: runs-on picks the OS where the job runs.
2 Call the checkout action
- uses: actions/____@v4 - uses: actions/checkout@v4Explanation: actions/checkout pulls the repository.
3 Match each step key to its role
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
uses: |
Calls an action |
run: |
Runs a command |
runs-on: |
Operating system |
needs: |
Job dependency |