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GitHub Actions

GitHub Actions workflow YAML is invalid

The workflow file contains YAML syntax that prevents the workflow from running.

GitHub Actions could not load the workflow because the YAML syntax is invalid, often due to unquoted special characters or malformed workflow structure.

Workflow file parse errorconfiguration

Observed message

The workflow file contains YAML syntax that prevents the workflow from running.

Why it happens

  • The workflow YAML contains invalid syntax.
  • Patterns using characters like *, [, or ! were not quoted where required.
  • The workflow structure does not match GitHub Actions syntax expectations.

How to fix it

  1. Validate the workflow YAML structure carefully.
  2. Quote special branch, tag, or path patterns that YAML would otherwise parse incorrectly.
  3. Check that the workflow file is stored in .github/workflows with a valid .yml or .yaml extension.

Official reference

GitHub Docs: Workflow syntax for GitHub Actions

Related errors

GITHUB_ENV cannot be used to set the NODE_OPTIONS environment variableGitHub Actions blocks NODE_OPTIONS from being set through GITHUB_ENVSkip output `{output.Key}` since it may contain secretGitHub Actions skipped a job output because it may contain a secretworkflow_dispatch only triggers workflows that exist on the default branchGitHub Actions workflow_dispatch did not work because the workflow is not on the default branch8451Active Directory replication encountered a database error

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GitHub Actions workflow YAML parse error: causes and fixes | Error Atlas