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2025-02-12
GitHub is making several important updates that developers need to be aware of, ranging from changes to check run status modifications to adjustments for self-hosted runners and updates to the Azure private network configuration. In this article, we break down the upcoming changes, their potential impact, and the actions you need to take to ensure your workflows remain secure and efficient.
Key Changes
- Modification of Check Run Status: Starting on March 31, 2025, GitHub will no longer allow developers to modify the conclusion and status of an Actions check run using a GitHub token from a different workflow. This change is being implemented to improve the trustworthiness and security of GitHub Actions check results. Affected workflows will begin showing annotations on February 17, 2025.
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Immutable Actions and Self-Hosted Runners: GitHub is migrating standard hosted runner customers to immutable actions starting in February 2025. For self-hosted runners, ensure that your network allow lists are updated to accommodate traffic from specific GitHub domains, including
pkg.actions.githubusercontent.comandghcr.io. Failure to do so may result in the inability to download immutable actions. -
Network Allow List Updates for Azure Private Networking: For users leveraging Azure private networking, updates have been made to the documentation to reflect new IP addresses necessary for ensuring proper communication with GitHub Actions. Ensure your allow lists include these IPs to avoid disruptions.
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Ubuntu 20 Image Deprecation: Starting in March 2025, GitHub Actions will begin failing jobs using the
ubuntu-20.04label. Temporary failures (or “brownouts”) will occur during specific times in March, to alert users to the upcoming removal of Ubuntu 20. -
Cache Action Deprecation: GitHub Actions jobs using deprecated versions of the
actions/cache(v1-v2) andactions/toolkitcache package will fail during scheduled brownouts on February 18, 2025, from 2 PM to 10 PM UTC.
What Undercode Says:
GitHub’s series of updates bring with them both opportunities and challenges for developers. The shift away from mutable check run status, for example, strengthens the security of GitHub Actions but also adds complexity to workflows. This could be problematic for developers who rely on dynamically updating check run statuses based on different workflow runs, as it might affect their automation processes.
The of immutable actions is another significant update. For many, immutable actions will streamline workflow execution by guaranteeing that actions won’t change after being committed, which is a good step toward ensuring the stability and reliability of CI/CD pipelines. However, for self-hosted runners, this update demands careful attention. Failing to update the network allow lists could result in failed jobs, disrupting development and testing processes. GitHub is providing an automatic opt-in once these lists are updated, but it’s crucial for teams to act early to prevent downtime.
Another noteworthy change is the deprecation of Ubuntu 20. The scheduled brownouts for the Ubuntu 20 image signal an end-of-life phase for this operating system on GitHub Actions. With these interruptions, developers should start migrating their workflows to more current operating systems, like Ubuntu 22, to avoid job failures in March 2025. This timeline gives teams a narrow window to test and adapt their workflows accordingly.
The scheduled brownouts for deprecated cache action versions are another challenge, particularly for teams relying on these versions to manage their cache strategy. The failure to update cache versions in time can disrupt builds and tests, emphasizing the importance of staying on top of version changes in GitHub Actions.
From a broader perspective, these changes highlight GitHub’s ongoing efforts to improve the security, performance, and scalability of its CI/CD platform. By enforcing stricter rules on check run modifications and transitioning to immutable actions, GitHub is making a long-term commitment to ensuring the integrity of software development processes. While these changes may require some adjustment from users, they ultimately position GitHub Actions as a more robust platform for developers.
As with any major update, these changes underscore the importance of staying informed and proactive. GitHub provides ample documentation, but developers must be diligent in monitoring their workflows for potential issues. In particular, those using self-hosted runners must act quickly to ensure their network configurations are up to date.
In summary, GitHub’s updates are a clear signal of the company’s focus on enhancing the security and stability of its actions ecosystem. While the migration to immutable actions and other changes will require developers to stay on their toes, the long-term benefits of a more secure and reliable platform are undeniable. Keep an eye on the upcoming deadlines and ensure your workflows are adjusted in time.
References:
Reported By: https://github.blog/changelog/2025-02-12-github-models-playground-now-integrates-with-user-repository-code-ga
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