Documenting GitHub Actions

When building complex CI/CD pipelines with GitHub Actions, clear and accessible documentation is essential for maintainability and collaboration. Use this guide to standardize your approach, whether you prefer GitHub Wikis or Markdown files in a centralized repository.

Documentation Methods

Select the method that best fits your organization’s needs:

1. GitHub Wiki

Every repository on GitHub.com includes a Wiki, perfect for:

• Long-form guides (design decisions, architecture overviews)
• Collaboration on process and standards
• Versioned, sidebar-organized content

2. Markdown Files in Repositories

Store documentation as Markdown directly in your repos:

• README.md for repo-level overviews
• Dedicated .github repository for organization-wide standards

Using an Organization Profile README

Organizational profiles can display a custom README to highlight key workflows and standards.

Step 1: Create or Open the .github Repository

Navigate to your organization and open (or create) the .github repository.

Step 2: Add the profile/README.md

1. In .github, create a folder named profile.
2. Inside profile, add README.md with your documentation.

Example profile/README.md:

Welcome to the KodeKloud Organization NodeJS CI starter workflow.

## Overview
Provides a starter CI workflow tailored for NodeJS projects.

## Categories
- NPM Config

Commit your changes to apply.

Step 3: Verify on Your Organization Profile

Return to your organization’s main page to see the new README displayed.

Key Documentation Elements

Ensure your documentation covers the following:

By following these guidelines, you can maintain clear, consistent, and SEO-friendly documentation for your GitHub Actions workflows.

Links and References

• GitHub Actions Documentation
• GitHub Wikis
• GitHub Profiles