Create Github Action Workflow Specification
GitHubOfficialOriginally contributed by @PlagueHO as prompts/create-github-action-workflow-specification.prompt.md; moved into a skill by pull request #761Distributed by GitHub
- Skill
- Content generator
- Software development
- MIT
- No issues found
AutoGineer summary
Written by AutoGineer from the skill’s own files, not by the author
This skill provides a structured framework for documenting GitHub Actions CI/CD workflows. By abstracting implementation details and focusing on behavioral requirements, inputs, outputs, and constraints, it creates a standardized specification that is easier for both human engineers and AI agents to interpret, maintain, and update. The output is a comprehensive Markdown document containing dependency diagrams, requirement matrices, and governance policies.
What it does
- Extracts core business objectives and functional requirements from existing workflow files.
- Maps job execution flows and dependencies using Mermaid diagrams.
- Documents input/output contracts, secrets, and environment variables.
- Defines performance metrics, quality gates, and error handling strategies.
- Establishes compliance, audit requirements, and change management processes.
- Standardizes documentation format for improved AI-assisted maintenance.
When to use it
- When preparing to refactor or migrate complex CI/CD pipelines.
- When onboarding new team members to existing automation processes.
- When you need to improve the maintainability of legacy GitHub Actions workflows.
- When establishing governance and compliance documentation for automated deployments.
Advantages
- Reduces technical debt by decoupling workflow behavior from specific syntax.
- Enhances AI agent performance by providing structured, token-efficient documentation.
- Centralizes critical information like security constraints and quality gates.
- Facilitates easier audits and compliance checks through standardized reporting.
Usage examples
- “Create a formal specification for the workflow file located at .github/workflows/main-ci.yml.”
- The agent analyzes the specified YAML file and generates a comprehensive /spec/spec-process-cicd-main-ci.md document detailing the workflow's purpose, job dependencies, and requirements.
Install
Download the skill as a ZIP:
https://mp-staging.autogineer.com/agent-skills/github/create-github-action-workflow-specification/downloadUnzip it into the cross-client skills folder of your project:
mkdir -p .agents/skills && unzip create-github-action-workflow-specification.zip -d .agents/skills
Documentation by PlagueHO
Create GitHub Actions Workflow Specification
Create a comprehensive specification for the GitHub Actions workflow: ${input:WorkflowFile}.
This specification serves as a specification for the workflow's behavior, requirements, and constraints. It must be implementation-agnostic, focusing on what the workflow accomplishes rather than how it's implemented.
AI-Optimized Requirements
Token Efficiency: Use concise language without sacrificing clarity
Structured Data: Leverage tables, lists, and diagrams for dense information
Semantic Clarity: Use precise terminology consistently throughout
Implementation Abstraction: Avoid specific syntax, commands, or tool versions
Maintainability: Design for easy updates as workflow evolves
Specification Template
Save as: /spec/spec-process-cicd-[workflow-name].md
---
title: CI/CD Workflow Specification - [Workflow Name]
version: 1.0
date_created: [YYYY-MM-DD]
last_updated: [YYYY-MM-DD]
owner: DevOps Team
tags: [process, cicd, github-actions, automation, [domain-specific-tags]]
---
## Workflow Overview
**Purpose**: [One sentence describing workflow's primary goal]
**Trigger Events**: [List trigger conditions]
**Target Environments**: [Environment scope]
## Execution Flow Diagram
```mermaid
graph TD
A[Trigger Event] --> B[Job 1]
B --> C[Job 2]
C --> D[Job 3]
D --> E[End]
B --> F[Parallel Job]
F --> D
style A fill:#e1f5fe
style E fill:#e8f5e8Jobs & Dependencies
| Job Name | Purpose | Dependencies | Execution Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| job-1 | [Purpose] | [Prerequisites] | [Runner/Environment] |
| job-2 | [Purpose] | job-1 | [Runner/Environment] |
Requirements Matrix
Functional Requirements
| ID | Requirement | Priority | Acceptance Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| REQ-001 | [Requirement] | High | [Testable criteria] |
| REQ-002 | [Requirement] | Medium | [Testable criteria] |
Security Requirements
| ID | Requirement | Implementation Constraint |
|---|---|---|
| SEC-001 | [Security requirement] | [Constraint description] |
Performance Requirements
| ID | Metric | Target | Measurement Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| PERF-001 | [Metric] | [Target value] | [How measured] |
Input/Output Contracts
Inputs
# Environment Variables
ENV_VAR_1: string # Purpose: [description]
ENV_VAR_2: secret # Purpose: [description]
# Repository Triggers
paths: [list of path filters]
branches: [list of branch patterns]Outputs
# Job Outputs
job_1_output: string # Description: [purpose]
build_artifact: file # Description: [content type]Secrets & Variables
| Type | Name | Purpose | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secret | SECRET_1 | [Purpose] | Workflow |
| Variable | VAR_1 | [Purpose] | Repository |
Execution Constraints
Runtime Constraints
Timeout: [Maximum execution time]
Concurrency: [Parallel execution limits]
Resource Limits: [Memory/CPU constraints]
Environmental Constraints
Runner Requirements: [OS/hardware needs]
Network Access: [External connectivity needs]
Permissions: [Required access levels]
Error Handling Strategy
| Error Type | Response | Recovery Action |
|---|---|---|
| Build Failure | [Response] | [Recovery steps] |
| Test Failure | [Response] | [Recovery steps] |
| Deployment Failure | [Response] | [Recovery steps] |
Quality Gates
Gate Definitions
| Gate | Criteria | Bypass Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Code Quality | [Standards] | [When allowed] |
| Security Scan | [Thresholds] | [When allowed] |
| Test Coverage | [Percentage] | [When allowed] |
Monitoring & Observability
Key Metrics
Success Rate: [Target percentage]
Execution Time: [Target duration]
Resource Usage: [Monitoring approach]
Alerting
| Condition | Severity | Notification Target |
|---|---|---|
| [Condition] | [Level] | [Who/Where] |
Integration Points
External Systems
| System | Integration Type | Data Exchange | SLA Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| [System] | [Type] | [Data format] | [Requirements] |
Dependent Workflows
| Workflow | Relationship | Trigger Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| [Workflow] | [Type] | [How triggered] |
Compliance & Governance
Audit Requirements
Execution Logs: [Retention policy]
Approval Gates: [Required approvals]
Change Control: [Update process]
Security Controls
Access Control: [Permission model]
Secret Management: [Rotation policy]
Vulnerability Scanning: [Scan frequency]
Edge Cases & Exceptions
Scenario Matrix
| Scenario | Expected Behavior | Validation Method |
|---|---|---|
| [Edge case] | [Behavior] | [How to verify] |
Validation Criteria
Workflow Validation
VLD-001: [Validation rule]
VLD-002: [Validation rule]
Performance Benchmarks
PERF-001: [Benchmark criteria]
PERF-002: [Benchmark criteria]
Change Management
Update Process
Specification Update: Modify this document first
Review & Approval: [Approval process]
Implementation: Apply changes to workflow
Testing: [Validation approach]
Deployment: [Release process]
Version History
| Version | Date | Changes | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | [Date] | Initial specification | [Author] |
Related Specifications
[Link to related workflow specs]
[Link to infrastructure specs]
[Link to deployment specs]
## Analysis Instructions
When analyzing the workflow file:
1. **Extract Core Purpose**: Identify the primary business objective
2. **Map Job Flow**: Create dependency graph showing execution order
3. **Identify Contracts**: Document inputs, outputs, and interfaces
4. **Capture Constraints**: Extract timeouts, permissions, and limits
5. **Define Quality Gates**: Identify validation and approval points
6. **Document Error Paths**: Map failure scenarios and recovery
7. **Abstract Implementation**: Focus on behavior, not syntax
## Mermaid Diagram Guidelines
### Flow Types
- **Sequential**: `A --> B --> C`
- **Parallel**: `A --> B & A --> C; B --> D & C --> D`
- **Conditional**: `A --> B{Decision}; B -->|Yes| C; B -->|No| D`
### Styling
```mermaid
style TriggerNode fill:#e1f5fe
style SuccessNode fill:#e8f5e8
style FailureNode fill:#ffebee
style ProcessNode fill:#f3e5f5Complex Workflows
For workflows with 5+ jobs, use subgraphs:
graph TD
subgraph "Build Phase"
A[Lint] --> B[Test] --> C[Build]
end
subgraph "Deploy Phase"
D[Staging] --> E[Production]
end
C --> DToken Optimization Strategies
Use Tables: Dense information in structured format
Abbreviate Consistently: Define once, use throughout
Bullet Points: Avoid prose paragraphs
Code Blocks: Structured data over narrative
Cross-Reference: Link instead of repeat information
Focus on creating a specification that serves as both documentation and a template for workflow updates.
Files
- ATTRIBUTION.mdAdded by AutoGineer1.2 KiB
- LICENSELicence file added by AutoGineer1.0 KiB
- SKILL.md7.5 KiB
Requirements and compatibility
Written for: GitHub Copilot
Works with: Claude Code, Claude apps, OpenAI Codex, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Gemini CLI, Kiro, OpenCode, Goose, Amp, Roo Code, JetBrains Junie, Factory Droid, Devin (ex-Windsurf), Mistral Vibe, OpenHands, Letta
“Works with” means the tool reads the open Agent Skills format; a skill written for one tool may use features others lack.
Security
No issues found by our static scan· No issues found
A static scan is not a guarantee. Skills are third-party content: review a skill before you let an agent use it.
Attribution and licence
- Originally contributed by
@PlagueHOas prompts/create-github-action-workflow-specification.prompt.mdmoved into a skill by pull request #761
- Publisher
- GitHub (Official)
- Distributed by
- GitHub
- Source
- github/awesome-copilot · skills/create-github-action-workflow-specification · commit 797337f
- Licence
- MIT License (redistribution allowed)
- LICENSE (added by AutoGineer from LICENSE)
- ATTRIBUTION.md (written by AutoGineer)
- Synced
- Contributors
- CypherHK, PlagueHO, derekclair
AutoGineer is not affiliated with or endorsed by PlagueHO or GitHub.
Download ZIP
The ZIP holds the skill’s files, its licence files and an ATTRIBUTION.md. Download create-github-action-workflow-specification.zip