GitHub Actions "Required property is missing: jobs" in CI

Every workflow must define a top-level jobs mapping. If it is absent, misspelled, or indented away, the validator reports the required property is missing.

What this error means

The run fails with "Invalid workflow file" and "(Line: 1, Col: 1): Required property is missing: jobs".

GitHub Actions

Invalid workflow file: .github/workflows/ci.yml
(Line: 1, Col: 1): Required property is missing: jobs

Common causes

The jobs key is missing or misspelled

A typo like job: or Jobs: is not recognized, so the workflow has no jobs.

The jobs block was indented under another key

An over-indent placed jobs inside on or another mapping, hiding it from the root.

How to fix it

Add a top-level jobs mapping

Add jobs: at the root, unindented.
Define at least one job with runs-on and steps.
Re-run the workflow.

.github/workflows/ci.yml

on: [push]
jobs:
  build:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - run: echo hi

Check spelling and indentation of jobs

Ensure the key is exactly jobs at column 1, not nested under on or env.

How to prevent it

Start from a known-good workflow skeleton.
Validate against the workflow schema in the editor.
Keep top-level keys at column 1.