LEARN. PRACTICE. GROW.Concept and mechanism
A workflow combines events, conditions, and jobs. Before investigating the runner, confirm whether the event should create a run: a workflow_dispatch file must exist on the default branch; simultaneous branch and path filters must both match. A cron declares scheduling intent rather than a completion commitment. Record expected timing, the observed run, and the business outcome. A push made with GITHUB_TOKEN normally does not trigger another workflow; dispatch events have documented exceptions. Consider this recursion protection when designing automation chains rather than adding a broad credential without assessing the need.
Guided application
In a fictional daily opening control, distinguish a missing run, a queued run, and a control completed with an error. Each state requires different evidence. If it never started, check the event and configuration; if queued, check eligibility and capacity; if failed, inspect the first useful error. Needs establishes job dependencies without automatically sharing the machine or environment. A failed dependency can leave reporting skipped when no explicit status condition exists. To collect every matrix result, consider fail-fast: false and retain failures as real outcomes. Before repeating operations with external effects, confirm idempotency and decide who communicates deadline risk.
build fails; report with needs: build is skipped. Missing reporting does not establish success.
Common pitfalls
Cron as SLA; branch or path as OR; needs as shared memory; tolerating failure as collecting evidence.
Related topics: Data, outputs, and service networking · Reuse, artifacts, and troubleshooting · Actions with contracts and versions
Follow the event, selection, dependency, execution, and outcome chain.
Reference: Workflow events · GH-200 skills measured January2026;study guide updated2026-02-05