Get Current Branch name in GitHub Actions

Can I use the current branch name within conditional statements in GitHub Actions?

Yes, you can. For example, you can conditionally execute steps based on the current branch name using if statements in your workflow YAML.

Does the workflow trigger on every branch push event?

It depends on how you configure the workflow. In the example provided, it triggers on any push event to any branch due to the wildcard (*) used in the branch filter.

How can I access the current branch name in a specific step of my workflow?

You can access it using ${{ github.ref }} within the desired step. This provides the full reference to the branch, including refs/heads/.

Can I retrieve the branch name in a pull request workflow?

Yes, you can. GitHub Actions provides the necessary context to access the branch name even in pull request workflows.

Is it possible to retrieve only the branch name without the refs/heads/ prefix?

Yes, you can manipulate the string to extract only the branch name. For example, you can use shell commands or scripting languages like Python or JavaScript within your workflow to achieve this.

GitHub Actions rightfully deserves credit for the way the workflow automation in the GitHub is being redefined. No matter it has been about continuous integration, deployment or the automation of any custom operation, GitHub Actions provide a framework that is advanced enough to make these tasks easier and quicker. An example of typical authorization pattern which is used in a workflow is retrieving the name of the current branch, which can be important for optionally assessing the execution flow or providing informative outputs. This article will take us through the steps of how to retrieve the current branch name in GitHub actions without extending a typical the work time.