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

The actions/checkout README file is located at the repository root as 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 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. 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):

# 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:

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

Perform a sparse checkout (subset of files):

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

Checkout a private repository using a personal access token:

- 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 — Defines action metadata, inputs, outputs, and runtime requirements
• src/main.ts — Core TypeScript implementation serving as the ESM entry point
• src/input-helper.ts — Parses and validates workflow input parameters
• src/git-command-manager.ts — Wraps git commands (fetch, checkout, etc.)
• 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 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 and 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. 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 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 and src/git-command-manager.ts contain the actual implementation logic.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instagit": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "instagit@latest"]
    }
  }
}