| act |
Local Actions runner (Docker) for fast iteration |
| action |
Reusable automation unit, borrowed via uses: |
| artifact |
Files a job saves — downloadable from the run page |
| cache |
Stored dependencies reused between runs |
| CD |
Continuous Delivery/Deployment — shipping automatically |
| checkout |
actions/checkout — puts your code on the runner |
| CI |
Continuous Integration — automated test/build on every change |
| cron |
Timer syntax for scheduled workflows (UTC!) |
| draft PR |
Work-in-progress PR — still triggers CI by default |
| environment |
Named deploy target (staging/production) with secrets and approvals |
| expression |
${{ }} template syntax for variables and functions |
| fail-fast |
Cancel remaining matrix jobs when one fails (default true) |
| fork PR |
PR from a fork — gets no secrets by design |
| GITHUB_TOKEN |
Automatic per-run token, scoped to the repo |
| job |
Work unit running on one fresh VM; parallel by default |
| Marketplace |
GitHub's catalog of reusable actions |
| matrix |
Job multiplier — one definition, many combinations |
| merge hell |
The pain of integrating rarely — CI's enemy |
| needs |
Job dependency — "wait for this job, skip if it fails" |
| permissions |
Explicit token scopes — least privilege |
| runner |
The VM (or machine) executing a job |
| secret |
Encrypted value injected at runtime, never in the repo |
| self-hosted runner |
Your own machine as a runner |
| status check |
CI result gating a merge (the green check) |
| step |
One command/action inside a job; sequential |
trigger (on:) |
The event starting a workflow |
| workflow |
One automation recipe (a YAML file in .github/workflows/) |
| workflow_dispatch |
Manual trigger — the "Run workflow" button |