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GH-200 GitHub Actions

Master GitHub Actions for CI/CD automation — workflows, triggers, custom actions, enterprise management, security, and OIDC federation.

Intermediate
1d 7h 15m
24 Lessons
GH-200
GH-200 GitHub Actions Badge

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About This Course

Prepare for the GH-200 GitHub Actions certification. This hands-on course covers workflow authoring with triggers, matrix strategies, and service containers; custom JavaScript, Docker, and composite actions; enterprise governance with runner management and policies; security best practices including OIDC federation and artifact attestations; and performance optimization. Students use their own GitHub account for exercises. Course aligned to January 2026 exam objectives.

Course Curriculum

24 Lessons
01
AI Lesson
AI Lesson

Workflow Triggers and Events

45m

Learn about configuring workflows for scheduled, manual, webhook, and repository events. Covers workflow_dispatch inputs, workflow_call with inputs and secrets, and choosing appropriate scope and permissions.

02
Lab Exercise
Lab Exercise

Workflow Triggers and Events - Lab Exercises

1h 45m 2 Exercises

Configure workflows for scheduled/manual/webhook/repository events, workflow_dispatch inputs with types/required/defaults, workflow_call with inputs and secrets mapping, choosing appropriate scope and permissions

Mastering GitHub Actions Workflow Triggers and Events Mastering GitHub Actions Workflow Triggers and Events ~30 min
Matrix Workflows and Event Context Matrix Workflows and Event Context ~30 min
03
AI Lesson
AI Lesson

Workflow Structure Jobs and Steps

45m

Learn about jobs, steps, conditional logic, job dependencies with needs, workflow commands, environment variables, service containers, and matrix strategies.

04
Lab Exercise
Lab Exercise

Workflow Structure Jobs and Steps - Lab Exercises

1h 45m 2 Exercises

Jobs/steps/conditional logic, job dependencies with needs, workflow commands and environment variables, service containers (databases/queues with ports/health checks), strategy and matrix (OS/runtime versions, include/exclude, fail-fast, max-parallel)

GitHub Actions Workflow Structure: Jobs and Steps GitHub Actions Workflow Structure: Jobs and Steps ~30 min
Multi-Job Workflows with Dependencies and Matrix Strategies Multi-Job Workflows with Dependencies and Matrix Strategies ~30 min
05
AI Lesson
AI Lesson

Contexts Expressions and Advanced YAML

45m

Learn about predefined contexts, expressions with dollar-brace syntax, static vs runtime evaluation, YAML anchors and aliases, editor tooling, and preventing secret leakage.

06
Lab Exercise
Lab Exercise

Contexts Expressions and Advanced YAML - Lab Exercises

1h 45m 2 Exercises

Predefined contexts (github/runner/env/vars/secrets/inputs/matrix/needs), expressions with ${{ }}, static vs runtime evaluation, YAML anchors and aliases, editor tooling (VS Code extension, schema validation), preventing secret leakage

Contexts Expressions and Advanced YAML Contexts Expressions and Advanced YAML ~30 min
Dynamic Environment Configuration with Advanced Context Expressions and YAML Anchors Dynamic Environment Configuration with Advanced Context Expressions and YAML Anchors ~30 min
07
AI Lesson
AI Lesson

Workflow Outputs Caching and Artifacts

45m

Learn about caching with actions/cache, artifact management, retention policies, passing data between jobs, job summaries, and workflow status badges.

08
Lab Exercise
Lab Exercise

Workflow Outputs Caching and Artifacts - Lab Exercises

1h 45m 2 Exercises

Caching with actions/cache, artifact management with actions/upload-artifact and download-artifact, retention policies via REST API, passing data between jobs (outputs/GITHUB_ENV/GITHUB_OUTPUT), job summaries with GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY, workflow status badges

Workflow Outputs, Caching, and Artifacts Workflow Outputs, Caching, and Artifacts ~30 min
Cross-Workflow Data Sharing with Matrix Strategies and Conditional Outputs Cross-Workflow Data Sharing with Matrix Strategies and Conditional Outputs ~30 min
09
AI Lesson
AI Lesson

Consuming and Troubleshooting Workflows

45m

Learn about interpreting workflow behavior from config and logs, diagnosing failed runs, matrix expansions and selective reruns, locating logs and artifacts, workflow templates, and disabling vs deleting workflows.

10
Lab Exercise
Lab Exercise

Consuming and Troubleshooting Workflows - Lab Exercises

1h 45m 2 Exercises

Interpreting workflow behavior from config and logs, diagnosing failed runs, interpreting matrix expansions and selective reruns, locating logs and artifacts in UI and API, workflow templates (starter vs reusable vs composite), disabling vs deleting workflows

Consuming and Troubleshooting Workflows Consuming and Troubleshooting Workflows ~30 min
Building Robust CI/CD with Workflow Dependencies and Matrix Strategies Building Robust CI/CD with Workflow Dependencies and Matrix Strategies ~30 min
11
AI Lesson
AI Lesson

Reusable Workflows and Starter Templates

45m

Learn about organization-level workflow templates, reusable workflows via workflow_call, starter workflows, differentiating starter vs reusable vs composite actions, and consuming non-public organization templates.

12
Lab Exercise
Lab Exercise

Reusable Workflows and Starter Templates - Lab Exercises

1h 45m 2 Exercises

Organization-level workflow templates, reusable workflows via workflow_call, starter workflows (public and private), differentiating starter vs reusable vs composite actions, consuming non-public organization templates, customizing and adapting templates

Building Reusable Workflows and Starter Templates Building Reusable Workflows and Starter Templates ~30 min
Advanced Reusable Workflow Patterns with Dynamic Matrix and Version Management Advanced Reusable Workflow Patterns with Dynamic Matrix and Version Management ~30 min
13
AI Lesson
AI Lesson

Creating Custom Actions

45m

Learn about action types (JavaScript, Docker, composite), immutable actions on hosted runners, required files and directory structure, action.yml metadata, workflow commands within actions, and troubleshooting action execution.

14
Lab Exercise
Lab Exercise

Creating Custom Actions - Lab Exercises

1h 45m 2 Exercises

Action types (JavaScript/Docker/composite), immutable actions on hosted runners, required files and directory structure, action.yml metadata, workflow commands within actions, troubleshooting action execution

Creating Custom Actions for Reusable CI/CD Components Creating Custom Actions for Reusable CI/CD Components ~30 min
Building Docker and Composite Custom Actions Build Docker container actions and composite actions with shared steps ~30 min
15
AI Lesson
AI Lesson

Distributing and Maintaining Actions

1h 0m

Learn about distribution models, Marketplace publishing, versioning strategies, commit SHA pinning, release management, and action deprecation workflows.

16
Lab Exercise
Lab Exercise

Distributing and Maintaining Actions - Lab Exercises

1h 45m 2 Exercises

Distribution models, Marketplace publishing, versioning strategies, commit SHA pinning, release management, and action deprecation workflows

Publishing Actions to GitHub Marketplace Practice publishing a custom action to GitHub Marketplace, configuring action.yml branding, setting up semantic versioning with major version tags, and managing releases. ~30 min
Versioning Strategies and Commit SHA Pinning Implement versioning strategies for action consumers including commit SHA pinning for security, major version tag updates, and deprecation notices. ~30 min
17
AI Lesson
AI Lesson

Enterprise Governance and Runners

1h 0m

Learn about enterprise policies, runner types (hosted/self-hosted), runner groups, IP allow lists, preinstalled software, runner labels, and organization-level runner management.

18
Lab Exercise
Lab Exercise

Enterprise Governance and Runners - Lab Exercises

1h 45m 2 Exercises

Enterprise policies, runner types (hosted/self-hosted), runner groups, IP allow lists, preinstalled software, runner labels, and organization-level runner management

Configuring Enterprise Policies and Runner Groups Configure enterprise-level workflow policies, create and manage runner groups with repository access controls, and set up IP allow lists for self-hosted runners. ~30 min
Self-Hosted Runner Setup and Management Deploy and configure self-hosted runners, manage runner labels, understand preinstalled software on GitHub-hosted runners, and implement runner selection strategies. ~30 min
19
AI Lesson
AI Lesson

Secrets Variables and Enterprise Management

1h 0m

Learn about encrypted secrets at org/repo/environment levels, configuration variables, REST API secret management, audit logs, and secret rotation strategies.

20
Lab Exercise
Lab Exercise

Secrets Variables and Enterprise Management - Lab Exercises

1h 45m 2 Exercises

Encrypted secrets at org/repo/environment levels, configuration variables, REST API secret management, audit logs, and secret rotation strategies

Managing Secrets and Variables Across Scopes Configure encrypted secrets at organization, repository, and environment levels, set up configuration variables, and implement secret precedence rules. ~30 min
REST API Secret Management and Audit Logging Use the GitHub REST API to programmatically manage secrets, implement secret rotation workflows, and review audit logs for secret access tracking. ~30 min
21
AI Lesson
AI Lesson

Security Best Practices

1h 0m

Learn about environment protections, GITHUB_TOKEN permissions, OIDC federation, script injection prevention, artifact attestations, and SLSA framework compliance.

22
Lab Exercise
Lab Exercise

Security Best Practices - Lab Exercises

1h 45m 2 Exercises

Environment protections, GITHUB_TOKEN permissions, OIDC federation, script injection prevention, artifact attestations, SLSA framework compliance

Environment Protections and GITHUB_TOKEN Security Configure environment protection rules, deployment gates with required reviewers, implement GITHUB_TOKEN least-privilege permissions, and prevent script injection vulnerabilities. ~30 min
OIDC Federation and Supply Chain Security Set up OIDC federation for cloud provider authentication, generate artifact attestations, implement SLSA provenance, and verify supply chain integrity. ~30 min
23
AI Lesson
AI Lesson

Optimizing Workflow Performance

1h 0m

Learn about caching strategies, retention policies, scaling runners, cost management, concurrency controls, and workflow optimization techniques.

24
Lab Exercise
Lab Exercise

Optimizing Workflow Performance - Lab Exercises

1h 45m 2 Exercises

Caching strategies, retention policies, scaling runners, cost management, concurrency controls, and workflow optimization techniques

Caching Strategies and Retention Policies Implement dependency caching with actions/cache, configure cache keys and restore strategies, set artifact retention policies, and optimize cache hit rates. ~30 min
Concurrency Controls and Cost Optimization Configure concurrency groups, implement cancel-in-progress strategies, manage workflow queuing, optimize runner usage for cost management, and implement scaling strategies. ~30 min
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This course includes:

  • 24/7 AI Instructor Support
  • Live Lab Environments
  • 12 Hands-on Lessons
  • Completion Badge
GH-200 GitHub Actions Badge

Earn Your Badge

Complete all lessons to unlock the GH-200 GitHub Actions achievement badge.

Skill Level Intermediate
Total Duration 1d 7h 15m
GH-200 GitHub Actions Badge
Achievement Badge

GH-200 GitHub Actions

Demonstrates proficiency in GitHub Actions — workflow authoring, CI/CD automation, custom actions, enterprise management, security, and optimization.

Course GH-200 GitHub Actions

Skills You'll Earn

GitHub Actions CI/CD Workflows Custom Actions Runners OIDC Security Enterprise

Complete all lessons in this course to earn this badge