🚀 GitHub Actions Learning Repository

Welcome to your hands-on learning journey with GitHub Actions! This repository is designed for beginners and intermediate developers who want to master CI/CD automation.

📚 What You'll Learn

• ✅ GitHub Actions fundamentals (workflows, jobs, steps)
• ✅ Automating builds and tests
• ✅ CI/CD pipeline creation
• ✅ Deploying applications to Azure App Service
• ✅ Working with secrets and environment variables
• ✅ Real-world workflow examples

🎯 Target Audience

• Beginners to CI/CD
• Developers wanting to automate their workflows
• Students learning DevOps practices
• Anyone interested in GitHub Actions

📋 Prerequisites & Setup

Requirements

• A GitHub account
• Git installed locally
• Node.js v16+ installed
• (Optional) Azure account for deployment tasks

Quick Setup (5 minutes)

1. Fork this repository

   # Click "Fork" button on GitHub
   

2. Clone your fork

   git clone https://github.com/YOUR-USERNAME/github-actions-learning.git
   cd github-actions-learning
   

3. Install dependencies for sample app

   cd sample-app
   npm install
   npm start
   

   Visit http://localhost:3000 - you should see the welcome page!

4. Run tests locally

   npm test
   

   All tests should pass ✅

📚 Learning Content & Documentation

1️⃣ Start Here: Quick Start (5 minutes)

Getting started immediately:

• Fork the repository
• Clone: git clone https://github.com/YOUR-USERNAME/github-actions-learning.git
• Install: cd sample-app && npm install
• Run: npm start (visit http://localhost:3000)
• Test: npm test

2️⃣ Read Documentation (45-60 minutes)

Go through these in order in the docs/ folder:

1. 01-what-is-github-actions.md - Concepts & basics (10 min)
2. 02-workflow-basics.md - YAML syntax & structure (15 min)
3. 03-triggers-and-events.md - When workflows run (10 min)
4. 04-jobs-and-steps.md - Execution model (15 min)
5. 05-secrets-and-env.md - Security & configuration (10 min)
6. 06-build-and-test.md - CI/CD patterns (15 min)
7. 07-deploy-to-azure.md - Cloud deployment (10 min)

3️⃣ Complete All Tasks (2-4 hours)

Follow TASKS.md for 10+ hands-on exercises organized by difficulty:

4️⃣ Example Workflows

Three production-ready workflows to learn from:

• hello-world.yml - Basic workflow, manual triggers
• build-test.yml - CI/CD pipeline with matrix testing
• deploy-azure-app-service.yml - Production deployment

🏅 Earn Digital Badges

Complete tasks at each level and submit your work to earn prestigious badges!

🌟 Beginner Badge

Complete Tasks 1-3

Steps:

1. Complete all Beginner tasks in TASKS.md
2. Take screenshots of successful workflow runs
3. Fork the repo → Create branch working-beginner-yourname
4. Create file .github/submissions/beginner-yourname.md with evidence
5. Commit → Push → Create Pull Request
6. Submit link via 🎖️ Badge Submission issue (select "Beginner")
7. Automatic labels applied: submission, beginner, pending-review
8. Auto-assigned to reviewer for approval

Proof needed:

• Task 1: Hello World workflow running ✅
• Task 2: Workflow triggered by push event ✅
• Task 3: Local tests passing with npm test ✅

⭐⭐ Intermediate Badge

Complete Tasks 4-7

Steps:

1. Complete all Intermediate tasks in TASKS.md
2. Gather workflow execution screenshots and logs
3. Fork the repo → Create branch working-intermediate-yourname
4. Create file .github/submissions/intermediate-yourname.md with evidence
5. Commit → Push → Create Pull Request
6. Submit link via 🎖️ Badge Submission issue (select "Intermediate")
7. Automatic labels applied: submission, intermediate, pending-review
8. Auto-assigned to reviewer for approval

Proof needed:

• Task 4: Custom workflow running on develop branch ✅
• Task 5: Environment variables displaying in logs ✅
• Task 6: GitHub secrets access (masked in logs) ✅
• Task 7: Matrix testing across 3 Node versions in parallel ✅

⭐⭐⭐ Advanced Badge

Complete Tasks 8-10

Steps:

1. Complete all Advanced tasks in TASKS.md
2. Gather comprehensive screenshots and workflow logs
3. Fork the repo → Create branch working-advanced-yourname
4. Create file .github/submissions/advanced-yourname.md with evidence
5. Commit → Push → Create Pull Request
6. Submit link via 🎖️ Badge Submission issue (select "Advanced")
7. Automatic labels applied: submission, advanced, pending-review
8. Auto-assigned to reviewer for approval

Proof needed:

• Task 8: Artifacts uploaded & downloaded between jobs ✅
• Task 9: Conditional execution (deploy on main only) ✅
• Task 10: PR created with template & issue using template ✅

🎯 Submission Process Simplified

One Simple Way to Submit

1. Fork the repo (click Fork button)

2. Clone your fork

   git clone https://github.com/YOUR-USERNAME/github-actions-learning.git
   cd github-actions-learning
   

3. Create working branch (use this naming: working-<level>-<yourname>)

   git checkout -b working-beginner-john
   

4. Complete your tasks from TASKS.md and gather evidence (screenshots)

5. Create submission file in .github/submissions/

   # Create this folder if it doesn't exist
   mkdir -p .github/submissions
   
   # Create file: beginner-john.md (for Beginner)
   # or: intermediate-john.md (for Intermediate)
   # or: advanced-john.md (for Advanced)
   

6. Add evidence to your file (screenshots, workflow links, etc.)

7. Commit your changes

   git add .github/submissions/beginner-john.md
   git commit -m "feat: add beginner badge submission"
   git push origin working-beginner-john
   

8. Create Pull Request on GitHub with your branch

9. Submit Tracking Issue via 🎖️ Badge Submission

   • Select your level (Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced)
   • Paste your PR link
   • Labels & assignment happen automatically!

That's it! 🎉 Automatic labels and assignment handle the rest.

✅ What Happens After Submission

📋 Submission File Template

Create a simple markdown file with your evidence:

# Beginner Badge Submission - Your Name

**Date:** January 2026
**Status:** Submitted for Review

## Tasks Completed

- [x] Task 1: Run Your First Workflow
- [x] Task 2: Understand Workflow Triggers
- [x] Task 3: Build and Test Locally

## Evidence

### Task 1: Hello World Workflow
[Screenshot showing successful workflow run]

### Task 2: Push Trigger
[Screenshot showing workflow triggered automatically on push]

### Task 3: Local Tests
[Screenshot showing npm test output - all passing]

## Notes
Any challenges faced or additional context.

---

Submitted & ready for review! ✅

That's all you need! No complex templates, just clear evidence.

🗂️ Repository Structure

github-actions-learning/
├── README.md                          # Main guide (this file)
├── TASKS.md                           # All learning tasks (10+)
├── CONTRIBUTING.md                    # How to contribute
├── LICENSE                            # MIT License
│
├── docs/                              # Learning documentation
│   ├── 01-what-is-github-actions.md
│   ├── 02-workflow-basics.md
│   ├── 03-triggers-and-events.md
│   ├── 04-jobs-and-steps.md
│   ├── 05-secrets-and-env.md
│   ├── 06-build-and-test.md
│   └── 07-deploy-to-azure.md
│
├── images/                            # Digital badges
│   ├── Beginner.png
│   ├── Intermediate.png
│   └── Advanced.png
│
├── .github/
│   ├── workflows/                     # Example workflows
│   │   ├── hello-world.yml
│   │   ├── build-test.yml
│   │   └── deploy-azure-app-service.yml
│   ├── submissions/                   # Your badge submissions go here
│   ├── ISSUE_TEMPLATE/
│   │   ├── badge_submission.md        # 🎖️ Submit badge (auto-labels & assigns!)
│   │   ├── bug_report.md              # Report bugs
│   │   ├── feature_request.md         # Suggest improvements
│   │   ├── documentation.md           # Improve docs
│   │   └── question.md                # Ask questions
│   └── PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md       # PR template
│
└── sample-app/                        # Sample Node.js app
    ├── src/server.js
    ├── tests/server.test.js
    ├── package.json
    └── README.md

🔄 Learning & Development Workflow

For Self-Paced Learning

1. Preparation (5 min)

   • Fork repository
   • Clone to your machine
   • Setup sample app

2. Study (45-60 min)

   • Read documentation in docs/ folder
   • Understand concepts
   • Review example workflows

3. Practice (2-4 hours)

   • Complete TASKS.md exercises
   • Run workflows
   • Modify and experiment

4. Submit (10 min)

   • Create submission file with evidence
   • Push to GitHub
   • Create PR and submit tracking issue
   • Auto-labels and auto-assigns!

5. Review (2-5 days)

   • Reviewer checks your work
   • Feedback if needed
   • Badge awarded! 🏅

For Team/Classroom Use

1. Setup

   • Clone this repository to your organization
   • Share link with team/students

2. Students Fork & Learn

   • Each student forks the repo
   • Creates working-* branch
   • Completes tasks locally

3. Submit via PR

   • Creates submission file
   • Opens PR on main repo
   • Submits tracking issue with level selection

4. Auto-Organization

   • Labels apply automatically (submission, beginner/intermediate/advanced)
   • Assignment automatic
   • Reviewers can focus on quality

5. Feedback & Approval

   • Reviewer provides feedback
   • Student makes revisions if needed
   • Badge awarded on approval

🎓 Complete Task List

🌟 Beginner Tasks (30 min total)

Submit: 🎖️ Beginner Badge Issue → Select "Beginner" → Auto-labels & assigns!

⭐⭐ Intermediate Tasks (1-2 hours total)

Submit: 🎖️ Intermediate Badge Issue → Select "Intermediate" → Auto-labels & assigns!

⭐⭐⭐ Advanced Tasks (2-3 hours total)

Submit: 🎖️ Advanced Badge Issue → Select "Advanced" → Auto-labels & assigns!

🏆 Bonus Challenges

• Challenge 1: Deploy to Azure - Production deployment
• Challenge 2: Add Code Coverage - Quality metrics
• Challenge 3: Custom Action - Reusable automation

🔧 Example Workflows Explained

1. Hello World Workflow

File: .github/workflows/hello-world.yml

name: Hello World
on: push
jobs:
  hello:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - run: echo "Hello, GitHub Actions!"

Learn: Basic workflow structure, triggers, steps
Related Tasks: Task 1, Task 2

2. Build & Test Workflow

File: .github/workflows/build-test.yml

Uses matrix testing across Node versions, installs dependencies, runs tests.

Learn: Matrix strategies, dependencies, caching
Related Tasks: Task 3, Task 7

3. Deploy to Azure Workflow

File: .github/workflows/deploy-azure-app-service.yml

Builds and deploys app to Azure App Service.

Learn: Production deployment, secrets, conditional execution
Related Tasks: Task 6, Challenge 1

📚 Documentation Overview

Total Learning Time: ~1.5 hours of documentation
Total Task Time: 3-6 hours of hands-on practice

💡 Tips for Success

Learning Tips

1. Start sequentially - Don't skip around
2. Read the docs first - Foundation matters
3. Run the examples - See it in action
4. Modify workflows - Experiment & break things
5. Read the logs - GitHub Actions logs tell you everything
6. Add comments - Document what you learn

Task Completion Tips

1. Screenshot everything - For badge submission
2. Take your time - Quality > Speed
3. Experiment with modifications - "What if I..."
4. Get stuck? - Create a Question issue
5. Found a problem? - Report Bug report

Submission Tips

1. Create clear submission files - Organize evidence well
2. Use descriptive commit messages - Help reviewers understand
3. Follow branch naming - working-level-yourname
4. Set level in issue - Triggers auto-labels
5. Link your PR - Include it in submission issue

🤝 How to Contribute

If you find issues or have improvements:

1. Report Issues

   • Use bug_report.md
   • Use feature_request.md
   • Use documentation.md

2. Contribute Code

   • Fork repository
   • Create branch: feature/your-feature
   • Make changes
   • Create PR using PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
   • See CONTRIBUTING.md for details

3. Share Knowledge

   • Improve documentation
   • Create clearer examples
   • Help others in issues

📞 Support & Questions

Getting Help

1. Check Documentation - Start with docs/ folder
2. Review Examples - Look at workflows in .github/workflows/
3. Check TASKS.md - Find similar examples
4. Create Issue - Use question.md template
5. Contact Maintainer - @nisalgunawardhana

Common Issues

Q: My workflow isn't running?
A: Check the trigger event. See 03-triggers-and-events.md

Q: How do I use secrets safely?
A: See 05-secrets-and-env.md

Q: How do I deploy to Azure?
A: See 07-deploy-to-azure.md and Challenge 1

🎖️ Badge Submission Tracking

Submission Flow

Start → Learn → Complete Tasks → Create Branch → Submit File 
  → Push PR → Submit Issue → Auto-Labels & Assign → Review → Badge! 🏅

Automatic Workflow

1. You choose level in badge submission issue
2. System auto-adds labels - submission, beginner/intermediate/advanced
3. System auto-assigns - @nisalgunawardhana
4. Reviewer reviews - 2-5 days
5. Feedback or approval - You're notified
6. Badge awarded! - Congratulations! 🎉

No Manual Labeling Needed! ✨

Just select your level in the issue → Everything else is automatic!

📊 Repository Statistics

• 📚 7 Learning Modules in docs/
• 🔧 3 Example Workflows ready to use
• 📝 10+ Hands-On Tasks organized by level
• 💻 Sample Node.js App with tests
• 📄 Multiple Issue Templates for contributions
• 🎖️ Badge System with auto-organization

📄 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

⭐ Show Your Support

• ⭐ Star this repository
• 🔀 Share with friends/colleagues
• 📢 Tell others about it
• 🤝 Contribute improvements
• 💬 Provide feedback

Ready to get started? Begin with setup above or jump to TASKS.md! 🚀

Questions? Create an ❓ Question Issue

Happy Learning! 🎓