Reference same-repository actions with self-repository syntax - GitHub Changelog
Try GitHub Copilot CLI
Attend GitHub Universe
Search
Back to changelog
You can now reference an action or reusable workflow that lives in the same repository using the new self-repository syntax. A uses: value that starts with $/ resolves to your workflow’s own repository at the exact commit that is running, with no checkout required. It works everywhere the workspace-relative ./ syntax works, including workflow steps, composite action steps, nested composition, and reusable workflow calls.
Before this, referencing an action defined in your own repository meant either relying on ./ and a checkout, or hardcoding a version. This was a maintenance burden and quietly defeated commit SHA pinning. With self-repository references, sibling actions and workflows automatically match the ref you are already running, so your internal references stay consistent even when callers pin to a full-length commit SHA. This also makes it possible to adopt the enterprise policy that requires actions to be pinned to a full-length commit SHA for workflows that call their own actions.
Self-repository references are now the recommended way to compose actions and reusable workflows within a repository. They are available on github.com. This feature requires the GitHub Actions runner to be on version 2.336.0 or newer.
Learn more by checking out our docs about finding and customizing actions, or join the discussion within GitHub Community.
Related Posts
Jul.28 Improvement
GitHub Actions holds potentially malicious workflows for approval
actions<br>supply chain security
...<br>+1
Jul.16 Release
Xcode 27 runner image now in public preview
actions
Jul.08 Release
setup-java v5.5.0: signature verification, Kona JDK, and Maven fixes
actions
Jun.26 Improvement
Read-only Actions cache for untrusted triggers
actions<br>supply chain security
...<br>+1
Jun.25 Release
More control over your GitHub-hosted runners
actions
Jun.25 Improvement
Actions steps can now be run in parallel
actions
Jun.25 Release
Red Hat Enterprise Linux runner images are now in public preview
actions
Jun.18 Improvement
Actions: Build custom images from custom images
actions
Jun.18 Release
Safer pull_request_target defaults for GitHub Actions checkout
actions<br>supply chain security
...<br>+1
Subscribe to our developer newsletter
Discover tips, technical guides, and best practices in our biweekly newsletter just for devs.
Enter your email*
Subscribe
By submitting, I agree to let GitHub and its affiliates use my information for personalized communications, targeted advertising, and campaign effectiveness. See the GitHub Privacy Statement for more details.
Back to top
© 2026 GitHub, Inc.
Terms
Privacy
Manage Cookies
Do not share my personal information
LinkedIn icon
GitHub on LinkedIn
Instagram icon
GitHub on Instagram
YouTube icon
GitHub on YouTube
X icon
GitHub on X
TikTok icon
GitHub on TikTok
Twitch icon
GitHub on Twitch
GitHub icon
GitHub’s organization on GitHub