How to Use a Matrix of Environments in GitHub Actions

A matrix dimension feeding the environment key fans one deploy job out across every target.

List the environments in strategy.matrix and set environment: ${{ matrix.environment }}. Each environment runs as its own parallel job with its own scoped secrets.

Steps

• Add an environment: dimension to the matrix.
• Set environment: ${{ matrix.environment }} on the job.
• Each environment gets its own job and its own scoped secrets.

Workflow

jobs:
  deploy:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    strategy:
      matrix:
        environment: [staging, canary]
    environment: ${{ matrix.environment }}
    steps:
      - run: ./deploy.sh --env ${{ matrix.environment }}

Gotchas

• Each matrix leg resolves the scoped secrets for its own environment.
• For ordered promotion (staging then prod) use chained needs: jobs instead of a matrix.

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