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Clarify when private actions can be referenced directly #43969

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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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Sharra-writes Apr 28, 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 configured to allow access from your workflow's repository, you can reference the action directly. For more information, see [AUTOTITLE](/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 [AUTOTITLE](/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).

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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