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Workflow Not Triggering

Problem

You pushed a change, but no pipeline ran.

Symptoms

The Actions tab shows no new run for your push or tag.

Common Causes

  • The workflow's on: trigger does not match what you did (for example, it only runs on tags, and you pushed to a branch)
  • The file is not in .github/workflows/, or does not end in .yml
  • You pushed a commit, but the workflow only triggers on tags, and you did not push the tag
  • The commit message contains [skip ci]
  • Actions are disabled for the repository

Investigation

  • Open the workflow file and read its on: block. Does it match your action?
  • Confirm the file lives at .github/workflows/name.yml.
  • If it triggers on tags, remember git push does not send tags. You need git push origin v1.0.0.

Resolution

Adjust the trigger to match, move the file to the right folder, or push the tag explicitly. If Actions are off, enable them under Settings, then Actions.

Prevention

  • Keep triggers simple and intentional
  • Remember tags must be pushed separately from commits