Do you know how to name your CI workflows?

Last updated by Brady Stroud [SSW] 9 months ago.See history

When working with Continuous Integration (CI) workflows like a GitHub Action or Azure DevOps Pipline, a poorly named file can lead to confusion and slow down the development process. Imagine having to dig into the code to understand what a workflow does every time you encounter it. It's like trying to read a book without a title or chapter names!

A well-named workflow file can save time and reduce confusion. By following a clear naming convention that reflects the purpose and sequence of the workflow, you can understand what's happening at a glance.

Naming your workflows in a way that reflects their purpose and sequence will improve developers experience. Stick to a clear and descriptive naming convention, and you'll never have to guess what a workflow does again.

ssw-rulesgpt-prod.yml

Figure: Bad Example - It's unclear what the workflow does, the name doesn't reflect the sequence of actions.

main-build-deploy.yml

Figure: Bad Example - It's clear that changes to the main branch cause a build and deploy.

It's easy to understand, even for someone new to the project.

Steps to naming a workflow:

  1. Start with the trigger: What triggers the workflow? (e.g., main, pr)
  2. Describe the main action: What's the primary task? (e.g., build, lint)
  3. Include additional details: Any secondary actions or specific details? (e.g., and-deploy, infra-check)

Use this template to determine {{TRIGGER}}-{{ACTIONS}}-{{ADDITIONAL DETAILS}}.yml

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