Workflow Permissions in GitHub Actions

Introduction

In GitHub Actions, managing workflow permissions is crucial for ensuring that the right users and systems have the appropriate access to run workflows, access secrets, and modify repository content.

Key Concepts

• **Workflow**: A configurable automated process that runs one or more jobs.
• **Permissions**: Access rights that determine what actions a workflow can perform.
• **Repository Secrets**: Encrypted environment variables that can be used in workflows.

Workflow Permissions

Permissions in GitHub Actions are defined at the repository level and can be customized for individual workflows.

Step-by-Step Process to Manage Permissions

1. Navigate to your repository on GitHub.
2. Click on the Settings tab.
3. In the left sidebar, click Actions.
4. Under Workflow permissions, you can select:
• Read repository contents - Allows the workflow to read the contents of the repository.
• Read and write repository contents - Allows the workflow to modify the contents of the repository.
5. Click Save to apply your changes.

Example: Setting Permissions in a Workflow File

Permissions can also be defined directly in the workflow YAML file:

name: CI

on: [push]

permissions:
  contents: read
  issues: write

jobs:
  build:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - name: Checkout repository
        uses: actions/checkout@v2

This YAML snippet sets the permissions for the workflow to read the repository contents and allows for writing issues.

Best Practices

• Grant only the permissions that are necessary for the workflow.
• Regularly review workflow permissions and update them as needed.
• Use environment secrets to manage sensitive information securely.

FAQ