Fix GitHub Actions CI failures using GitHub CLI (gh): inspect runs/logs, identify root cause, patch workflows/code, rerun jobs, and summarize verification. Use when GitHub Actions CI is failing or needs diagnosis.
Content & Writing
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Updated Jan 3, 2026, 12:54 AM
Why Use This
This skill provides specialized capabilities for jMerta's codebase.
Use Cases
Developing new features in the jMerta repository
Refactoring existing code to follow jMerta standards
Understanding and working with jMerta's codebase structure
---
name: ci-fix
description: "Fix GitHub Actions CI failures using GitHub CLI (gh): inspect runs/logs, identify root cause, patch workflows/code, rerun jobs, and summarize verification. Use when GitHub Actions CI is failing or needs diagnosis."
---
# CI fix (GitHub Actions)
## Goal
- Get CI green quickly with minimal, reviewable diffs.
- Use `gh` to locate failing runs, inspect logs/artifacts, rerun jobs, and confirm the fix.
## Inputs to ask for (if missing)
- Repo (`OWNER/REPO`) and whether this is a PR or branch build.
- Failing run URL/ID (or PR number / branch name).
- What "green" means (required workflows? allowed flaky reruns?).
- Any constraints (no workflow edits, no permission changes, no force-push, etc.).
## Workflow (checklist)
1) Confirm `gh` context
- Auth: `gh auth status`
- Repo: `gh repo view --json nameWithOwner -q .nameWithOwner`
- If needed, add `-R OWNER/REPO` to all commands.
- If `gh` is not installed or not authenticated, tell the user and ask whether to install/authenticate or proceed by pasting logs/run URLs manually.
2) Find the failing run
- If you have a run URL, extract the run ID: `.../actions/runs/<id>`.
- Otherwise:
- Recent failures: `gh run list --limit 20 --status failure`
- Branch failures: `gh run list --branch <branch> --limit 20 --status failure`
- Workflow failures: `gh run list -w <workflow> --limit 20 --status failure`
- Open in browser: `gh run view <id> --web`
3) Pull the signal from logs
- Job/step overview: `gh run view <id> --verbose`
- Failed steps only: `gh run view <id> --log-failed`
- Full log for a job: `gh run view <id> --log --job <job-id>`
- Download artifacts: `gh run download <id> -D .artifacts/<id>`
4) Identify root cause (prefer the smallest fix)
- Use `references/ci-failure-playbook.md` for common patterns and safe fixes.
- Prefer: deterministic code/config fix > workflow plumbing fix > rerun flake.
5) Implement the fix (minimal diff)
- Update code/tests/config and/or `.github/workflows/*.yml`.
- Keep changes scoped to the failing job/step.
- If changing triggers/permissions/secrets, call out risk and get explicit confirmation.
6) Verify in GitHub Actions
- Rerun only failures: `gh run rerun <id> --failed`
- Rerun a specific job (note: job **databaseId**): `gh run view <id> --json jobs --jq '.jobs[] | {name,databaseId,conclusion}'`
- Watch until done: `gh run watch <id> --compact --exit-status`
- Manually trigger: `gh workflow run <workflow> --ref <branch>`
## Safety notes
- Avoid `pull_request_target` (and any change that runs untrusted fork code with secrets) unless the user explicitly requests it and understands the security tradeoffs.
- Keep workflow `permissions:` least-privilege; don’t broaden token access “just to make it pass”.
## Deliverable (paste in chat / PR)
- **Summary:** ...
- **Failing run:** <link/id> (job/step)
- **Root cause:** ...
- **Fix:** ...
- **Verification:** commands + new run link/id
- **Notes/risks:** ...