# Where to Find the actions/checkout README File: Location and Contents

> Locate the actions/checkout README file at the repository root. Discover essential documentation for your GitHub Actions workflows.

- Repository: [GitHub Actions/checkout](https://github.com/actions/checkout)
- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-07-03

---

**The actions/checkout README file is located at the repository root as [`README.md`](https://github.com/actions/checkout/blob/main/README.md) on the main branch, serving as the primary documentation source for GitHub Actions workflows.**

The `actions/checkout` repository is the official GitHub Action for checking out source code within CI/CD pipelines. Its [`README.md`](https://github.com/actions/checkout/blob/main/README.md) file functions as the definitive guide for developers, containing version history, input parameter definitions, and practical configuration examples.

## Location of the actions/checkout README File

The README file resides at the top level of the repository and is named **[`README.md`](https://github.com/actions/checkout/blob/main/README.md)**. You can view it directly on GitHub at `https://github.com/actions/checkout/blob/main/README.md`.

This file serves as the entry point for understanding the action's capabilities, documenting everything from basic usage patterns to advanced authentication scenarios.

## Documentation Structure and Code Examples

The README is organized into distinct sections covering default behaviors and specialized configurations. Specific line references indicate where key examples appear in the source documentation.

### Basic Checkout Configuration

The README demonstrates simple repository checkout using default behavior (lines 61-64):

```yaml

# Simple checkout of the current repository (default behavior)

- uses: actions/checkout@v7

```

### Advanced Usage Patterns

For specific git references and partial checkouts, the README provides detailed examples at lines 69-73, 117-124, and 194-203.

**Checkout a specific branch or tag:**

```yaml
- uses: actions/checkout@v7
  with:
    ref: my-feature-branch

```

**Perform a sparse checkout (subset of files):**

```yaml
- uses: actions/checkout@v7
  with:
    sparse-checkout: |
      .github
      src

```

**Checkout a private repository using a personal access token:**

```yaml
- uses: actions/checkout@v7
  with:
    repository: my-org/private-repo
    token: ${{ secrets.PAT }}

```

## Supporting Source Files

While the README provides user-facing documentation, the actual implementation relies on these key files:

- **[`action.yml`](https://github.com/actions/checkout/blob/main/action.yml)** — Defines action metadata, inputs, outputs, and runtime requirements
- **[`src/main.ts`](https://github.com/actions/checkout/blob/main/src/main.ts)** — Core TypeScript implementation serving as the ESM entry point
- **[`src/input-helper.ts`](https://github.com/actions/checkout/blob/main/src/input-helper.ts)** — Parses and validates workflow input parameters
- **[`src/git-command-manager.ts`](https://github.com/actions/checkout/blob/main/src/git-command-manager.ts)** — Wraps git commands (fetch, checkout, etc.)
- **[`dist/index.js`](https://github.com/actions/checkout/blob/main/dist/index.js)** — Compiled JavaScript bundle executed by the GitHub Actions runtime
- **`LICENSE`** — MIT license terms

## Summary

- The actions/checkout README file is located at **[`README.md`](https://github.com/actions/checkout/blob/main/README.md)** in the repository root on the main branch
- It contains authoritative documentation for version history, inputs, and configuration options
- Code examples cover basic checkout, branch selection, sparse checkout (lines 117-124), and private repository authentication (lines 194-203)
- Implementation files like [`src/main.ts`](https://github.com/actions/checkout/blob/main/src/main.ts) and [`action.yml`](https://github.com/actions/checkout/blob/main/action.yml) support the documented behavior

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Where exactly is the README file located in the actions/checkout repository?

The README file is located at the repository root with the filename [`README.md`](https://github.com/actions/checkout/blob/main/README.md). The complete URL is `https://github.com/actions/checkout/blob/main/README.md`. This follows standard GitHub conventions for open-source repositories, making documentation immediately accessible upon visiting the project page.

### Does the README include examples for checking out private repositories?

Yes, the README documents authentication patterns for private repositories using personal access tokens. As shown in lines 194-203, examples demonstrate configuring the `repository` and `token` inputs with `${{ secrets.PAT }}` to access repositories outside the current workflow context.

### What version information does the actions/checkout README contain?

The README tracks version history and release notes for the checkout action. It specifies version tags like `v7` and explains input parameters available for each version, helping users select appropriate references for their workflow files.

### How does the README relate to the action.yml file?

While the README provides narrative documentation and usage examples, the [`action.yml`](https://github.com/actions/checkout/blob/main/action.yml) file defines the formal action specification including inputs, outputs, and runner requirements. The README references this metadata file to explain available configuration options, while [`src/main.ts`](https://github.com/actions/checkout/blob/main/src/main.ts) and [`src/git-command-manager.ts`](https://github.com/actions/checkout/blob/main/src/git-command-manager.ts) contain the actual implementation logic.