workflow-validation

name	workflow-validation
description	Use when validating repository workflows after changes to Docker-first Makefile targets, Dockerfiles, scripts, CI, release packaging, smoke tests, or documentation alignment. Do not use for repo redesign, GitHub-policy-only changes, or instruction-only skill edits with no workflow impact.

Workflow validation

Use this skill when validating repository workflow changes.

Use this skill when

• changing Makefile, Dockerfile, scripts/, tests, packaging manifests, or workflows
• changing the default developer interface
• modifying CI or release behavior
• reviewing whether a workflow change is complete
• checking whether implementation and documentation still match

Do not use this skill when

• the task is primarily about adapting the repository to a new project shape
• the task is only about GitHub-side settings guidance
• the task is only about release-integrity design without running validation
• the task is a small documentation-only edit with no workflow impact

Goals

• Confirm that repository workflows still work end to end.
• Catch regressions in build, test, example, CI, release, packaging, and reproducibility behavior.
• Ensure documentation matches actual repository behavior.

Method

• Prefer Docker-driven validation through the repository's public Makefile targets.
• Run the smallest relevant set of checks first, then expand if risk is higher.
• Verify that the documented public interface still matches the real workflow.
• Check that local and GitHub Actions paths still align where expected.
• Check that packaging manifests and shipped files remain aligned.
• Use make scan for security and workflow checks when scanners, pinned actions, packaged guidance, or workflow validation are affected.
• Use make dist for release artifact, SBOM, checksum, or integrity-output changes.
• When a real bug lacks regression coverage, add or update a targeted test.

Minimum expectations

Validate the relevant subset of:

• make build
• make test
• make scan
• make dist
• make example
• documented CI helper scripts
• documented release helper scripts
• smoke or regression tests
• documentation affected by the change

Output expectations

• List the checks run.
• List failures, risks, or skipped checks.
• State whether the change meets the repository's definition of done.
• Call out mismatches between docs and implementation.