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Clarify when private actions can be referenced directly #43969

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Sharra-writes merged 4 commits into from
May 13, 2026
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Clarify when private actions can be referenced directly #43969

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docs(actions): clarify private action example scope
WilliamK112 Apr 25, 2026
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Apply suggestion from @Sharra-writes
Sharra-writes Apr 28, 2026
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docs(actions): smooth private action transition wording
WilliamK112 May 8, 2026
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Merge branch 'main' into docs/private-action-example-clarify
Sharra-writes May 13, 2026
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4 changes: 3 additions & 1 deletion content/actions/reference/workflows-and-actions/workflow-syntax.md
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Expand Up @@ -653,7 +653,9 @@ jobs:

### Example: Using an action inside a different private repository than the workflow

Your workflow must checkout the private repository and reference the action locally. Generate a {% data variables.product.pat_generic %} and add the token as a secret. For more information, see [AUTOTITLE](/authentication/keeping-your-account-and-data-secure/creating-a-personal-access-token) and [AUTOTITLE](/actions/security-guides/using-secrets-in-github-actions).
If the action is in an internal repository, or in a private repository that's configured to allow access from your workflow's repository, you can reference the action directly. For more information, see [Allowing access to components in an internal repository](/repositories/managing-your-repositorys-settings-and-features/enabling-features-for-your-repository/managing-github-actions-settings-for-a-repository#allowing-access-to-components-in-an-internal-repository) and [Allowing access to components in a private repository](/repositories/managing-your-repositorys-settings-and-features/enabling-features-for-your-repository/managing-github-actions-settings-for-a-repository#allowing-access-to-components-in-a-private-repository).
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The section title is now narrower than the guidance immediately under it (which covers internal repositories and eligible private repositories). This mismatch can confuse readers scanning headings. Consider broadening the heading (e.g., internal or private repository) or splitting into a short 'Direct reference' subsection plus the existing checkout-based example.

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The following example shows one way to use an action from a different private repository when you need to check out the repository and reference the action locally. Generate a {% data variables.product.pat_generic %} and add the token as a secret. For more information, see [AUTOTITLE](/authentication/keeping-your-account-and-data-secure/creating-a-personal-access-token) and [AUTOTITLE](/actions/security-guides/using-secrets-in-github-actions).
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@Sharra-writes Sharra-writes Apr 28, 2026 •
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This is jumping subjects pretty abruptly with no transition. Can you let me know if this revision makes sense? (I'm a writer not an expert in this.)

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The following example shows one way to use an action from a different private repository when you need to check out the repository and reference the action locally. Generate a {% data variables.product.pat_generic %} and add the token as a secret. For more information, see [AUTOTITLE](/authentication/keeping-your-account-and-data-secure/creating-a-personal-access-token) and [AUTOTITLE](/actions/security-guides/using-secrets-in-github-actions).
If the action isn't in a repository configured to allow access, you need to check out the repository and reference the action locally. Generate a {% data variables.product.pat_generic %} and add the token as a secret. The following example shows this method for referencing an action. For more information, see [AUTOTITLE](/authentication/keeping-your-account-and-data-secure/creating-a-personal-access-token) and [AUTOTITLE](/actions/security-guides/using-secrets-in-github-actions).


Replace `PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN` in the example with the name of your secret.

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