update-github-actions-version

name	update-github-actions-version
description	Update GitHub Actions versions in workflow files, focusing only on major version changes. Use when the user wants to update action versions, check for outdated GitHub Actions, or upgrade workflow dependencies to their latest major versions.
license	GFDL-1.3-or-later
metadata	{"author":"[e-mail]"}

Update GitHub Actions Version

Update action versions in GitHub Actions workflow files, focusing on major version changes only.

Important Principles: Explanation of GitHub Actions Version Tagging System

• Using a major version number (e.g., v4) automatically fetches the latest minor and patch versions.
• For example, actions/checkout@v4 will automatically get versions like v4.2.2, v4.3.0.
• Do not update from v4 to a specific version like v4.2.2 — this is unnecessary.
• Only update when the major version changes (e.g., from v5 to v6).

Note: Skip fatjyc/update-submodule-action@v6.0 updates as the new version is broken.

Steps

0. Find Workflow Files

Look for files in .github/workflows/ recursively. Note that composite actions may be used — read both the composite action and the calling workflow simultaneously.

1. Check Current Versions

Analyze the action versions used in the workflow files.

2. Query Latest Versions

Query each action's latest version:

https://github.com/{owner}/{repo}/releases/latest

3. Identify Actions Needing Updates

Only update actions where the major version has changed:

• ✅ Update: docker/build-push-action@v5 → @v6
• ❌ Skip: actions/checkout@v4 → @v4.2.2

Note: Skip fatjyc/update-submodule-action@v6.0 updates as the new version is broken and v6.0 is fine.

4. Obtain Changelogs

For actions requiring updates, retrieve changelogs to understand breaking changes.

5. Update Files

Update version numbers and make adjustments for any breaking changes.

6. Commit Changes

Git add and commit your changes with a clear message indicating the updates made.

Example Illustration

✅ Correct Update

# From
uses: docker/build-push-action@v5
# Update to 
uses: docker/build-push-action@v6

❌ Incorrect Update (Unnecessary)

# From 
uses: actions/checkout@v4 
# Incorrectly updated to 
uses: actions/checkout@v4 .2 .2  

✅ Correct Practice (Keep Unchanged)

# Keep unchanged 
uses :actions / checkout @ v 4  
GitHub will automatically use the latest v 4.x.x release