How to Manually Trigger a Workflow With Inputs in GitHub Actions

workflow_dispatch adds a Run workflow button; inputs let operators choose parameters at launch.

Declare on.workflow_dispatch.inputs with types and defaults, then reference ${{ inputs.<name> }} (or github.event.inputs.<name>) in jobs.

Steps

• Add workflow_dispatch under on with an inputs: map.
• Give each input a type (string, boolean, choice, environment) and default.
• Read values via ${{ inputs.<name> }} in steps.

Workflow

on:
  workflow_dispatch:
    inputs:
      environment:
        type: choice
        options: [staging, production]
        default: staging
      dry_run:
        type: boolean
        default: true
jobs:
  deploy:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - run: ./deploy.sh --env ${{ inputs.environment }} --dry-run ${{ inputs.dry_run }}

Gotchas

• The workflow file must exist on the default branch before the button appears.
• All input values arrive as strings; compare booleans as == 'true'.

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