The minimum you need to know about GitHub Actions

Description and use

GitHub Actions automates Hugo site builds and deployments, replacing manual steps and enabling scheduled or manual triggers.

Problem

Developers find GitHub Actions intimidating and want a simple way to automate tasks like building and deploying a Hugo site.

Outcome

Automated Hugo site deployment reduces manual effort, ensures consistency, and enables scheduled or manual runs.

Workflow

• Define workflow file in .github/workflows/ with on and jobs sections
• Specify triggers: push to main, schedule cron, workflow_dispatch
• Create jobs: install Hugo CLI, install Dart Sass, checkout repo, setup Pages, install Node.js dependencies, build with Hugo, upload artifact

Evidence

With GitHub Actions, I no longer build my Hugo site by hand: I push a new post, and the robot builds and deploys it.

Source

The key is to define the workflow file: a .yml or .yaml file under .github/workflows/

Source

Two sections are required: on and jobs.

Source