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act

act

Run GitHub Actions locally with a single CLI command

softwareDevOps & CI/CDGitHub ActionsCI/CDDeveloper Tools
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Our Verdict

Best for

Developers testing GitHub Actions locally with Docker installed

Skip if

Those without Docker or needing non‑container workflows

What is act?

act is a command‑line utility that executes GitHub Actions workflows on your own machine. It reads the workflow definitions in .github/workflows/, builds the job dependency graph, and uses Docker to pull or create the required runner images. By mirroring the environment variables and filesystem layout of GitHub‑hosted runners, act gives developers instant feedback on workflow changes without needing to push commits, and can also serve as a lightweight local task runner.

SpecificationsAI-estimated

deploymentDesktop App
open source✅ Yes
github stars71,195
api available❌ No
support optionsEmail, Phone, Online Community
key integrationsGitHub, Docker
primary languageGo

Key Features of act

Executes complete GitHub Actions workflows locally without pushing to a remote repository.
Resolves job dependencies and runs them in the correct order based on the workflow graph.
Leverages Docker to pull official runner images or build custom images for each job.
Matches GitHub‑hosted runner environment variables and filesystem layout for accurate testing.
Provides rapid iteration cycles, allowing developers to see results in seconds instead of minutes.
Works as a general purpose local task runner, enabling Makefile‑like automation via workflow files.

Use Cases for act

1

Local CI Validation

Test CI pipelines on a feature branch before committing.

2

Debugging Workflow Failures

Reproduce and troubleshoot failing GitHub Actions steps locally.

3

Offline Development

Run CI jobs without internet access by using cached Docker images.

4

Custom Task Automation

Use workflow files as a Makefile replacement for repetitive local tasks.

Pros & Cons of act

Pros

  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Eliminates the need for remote pushes to test workflows
  • Accurate environment replication of GitHub runners
  • Integrates seamlessly with existing Docker installations

Cons

  • Requires Docker to be installed and running
  • Limited to workflows that can be expressed in Docker containers
  • Initial setup may be complex for beginners

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a GitHub account to use act?

No, act runs entirely on your local machine and does not require authentication with GitHub.

Can act execute workflows that use services like MySQL or Redis?

Yes, if those services are defined as Docker containers in the workflow, act will spin them up as part of the job.

Is act compatible with self‑hosted runner images?

act primarily uses the official GitHub‑hosted runner images, but you can specify custom Docker images to match your self‑hosted environment.

How does act handle secrets defined in GitHub Actions?

You can pass secrets via environment variables or a .env file; act does not retrieve secrets from GitHub automatically.

Pricing Overview

View full pricing →
Paid (One-time)

Free

Free

Reviews & Ratings0.0

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Target AudienceDevelopers testing GitHub Actions workflows locally

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