GitHub Actions "Can't find action.yml" / invalid uses reference

The uses: value does not resolve to a valid action. The repo, path, or ref is wrong, or the target has no action.yml.

What this error means

The step fails to start with a message that the action cannot be found or has no action.yml at the given path.

Error: Can't find 'action.yml', 'action.yaml' or 'Dockerfile' under '/home/runner/work/_actions/owner/repo/v1'. Did you forget to run actions/checkout before running your local action?

Common causes

Wrong owner, repo, or ref

A typo in owner/repo@ref, or a tag that does not exist, fails to resolve.

Local action without a path or checkout

A local action needs uses: ./path and a prior actions/checkout so the files exist on disk.

How to fix it

Point uses at a valid reference

1. Use owner/repo@ref with an existing tag, branch, or SHA.
2. For local actions, check out the repo first and use a relative path.

- uses: actions/checkout@v4
- uses: ./.github/actions/build

How to prevent it

• Pin actions to a full commit SHA you have verified exists.
• Run actionlint, which validates uses references.

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