# act | nektos | Knowledge Base | Instagit

Run your GitHub Actions locally 🚀

GitHub Stars: 69.1k

Repository: https://github.com/nektos/act

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## Articles

### [Auto-Removing Containers After Workflow Execution with `act --rm`](/nektos/act/auto-removing-containers-after-workflow-execution-with-act-rm)

Automatically remove Docker containers after workflow execution with act --rm. Free up disk space and prevent clutter from accumulated containers. Learn how today!

- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-03-03

### [Managing Container Capabilities in act with --container-cap-add and --container-cap-drop](/nektos/act/managing-container-capabilities-with-act-container-cap-add-and-container-cap-drop)

Secure your GitHub Actions workflows by mastering container capabilities in act. Use --container-cap-add and --container-cap-drop for precise security control.

- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-03-03

### [How to Use Git Ignore Rules with act --use-gitignore](/nektos/act/using-git-ignore-rules-with-act-use-gitignore)

Learn how to use git ignore rules with act --use-gitignore to exclude files from Docker containers in your GitHub Actions workflows with nektos/act. Improve your CI/CD.

- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-03-03

### [How to Configure User Namespaces for Containers in act Using the `--userns` Flag](/nektos/act/configuring-user-namespaces-for-containers-in-act-with-userns)

Master configuring user namespaces for containers in act using the --userns flag. Run containers with custom UID/GID mappings for enhanced security.

- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-03-03

### [Running act in Privileged Docker Mode: A Complete Guide to the `--privileged` Flag](/nektos/act/running-act-in-privileged-docker-mode-with-privileged)

Master running act in privileged Docker mode with the --privileged flag. Grant full Linux capabilities to workflow containers and unlock advanced Docker functionality for your act workflows.

- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-03-03

### [Setting the Default Branch in act with the `--defaultbranch` Flag](/nektos/act/setting-the-default-branch-in-act-runs-with-defaultbranch)

Easily set the default branch in act with the --defaultbranch flag for accurate local GitHub Actions runs and correct ${{ github.ref }} resolution.

- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-03-03

### [How to Specify a Custom Event Path with `act --eventpath`](/nektos/act/specifying-event-path-with-act-eventpath)

Learn to specify a custom event path with act --eventpath and inject your own GitHub event JSON payloads for local workflow runs. Easily control your tests.

- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-03-03

### [Detecting GitHub Events Automatically with act --detect-event: A Complete Implementation Guide](/nektos/act/detecting-github-events-automatically-with-act-detect-event)

Learn how to detect GitHub events automatically with act --detect-event. This guide shows you how to infer triggering events, saving you manual configuration time.

- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-03-03

### [How to Force Rebuild Docker Images in act: Complete Guide](/nektos/act/how-to-force-rebuild-of-docker-images-in-act)

Learn how to force rebuild Docker images in act with the --rebuild flag. Skip unnecessary builds by reusing cached images for faster workflows.

- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-03-03

### [How to Force Docker Image Pulls Using `act --pull`](/nektos/act/forcing-image-pull-with-act-pull)

Force Docker image pulls with act --pull to ensure your nektosact workflows use the latest image layers. Avoid outdated dependencies for reliable CI automation.

- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-03-03

### [Binding Work Directories in Act Using `--bind`: A Complete Technical Guide](/nektos/act/binding-work-directories-in-act-using-bind)

Learn how to bind work directories in act using --bind for instant file sync. This technical guide explains how the --bind flag streamlines your workflow by mounting host directories into containers.

- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-03-03

### [Leveraging act's --reuse Flag for Docker Containers to Maintain State Between Runs](/nektos/act/leveraging-acts-reuse-flag-for-docker-containers)

Master Docker stateful testing with act's --reuse flag. Preserve containers and volumes between runs for efficient local development and debugging. Simplify your workflow today.

- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-03-03

### [Specifying Custom Platforms for Action Runners in act Using `--platform`](/nektos/act/specifying-custom-platforms-for-action-runners-in-act-platform)

Learn to specify custom platforms for act runners using --platform. Override default Docker images and store mappings in .actrc for efficient GitHub Actions workflows.

- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-03-03

### [Configuring Action Inputs for Local Runs with act --input](/nektos/act/configuring-action-inputs-for-local-runs-with-act-input)

Configure action inputs for local runs with act--input. Pass values to ${{ inputs.* }} expressions using flags or files for seamless local GitHub Actions development.

- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-03-03

### [Setting Environment Variables in act Workflows: A Complete Guide](/nektos/act/setting-environment-variables-in-act-workflows)

Master setting environment variables in act workflows. Learn to use CLI flags, env files, and workflow job or step definitions for seamless variable management with nektos/act.

- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-03-03

### [Using `act --var` and `--var-file` to Pass Workflow Variables in Local GitHub Actions](/nektos/act/using-act-var-and-var-file-for-workflow-variables)

Learn to pass workflow variables to local GitHub Actions using act flags --var and --var-file. Access them seamlessly with ${{ vars.KEY }} syntax.

- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-03-03

### [How to Run a Specific Job in a GitHub Actions Workflow Using `act --job`](/nektos/act/running-a-specific-job-in-a-github-actions-workflow-using-act-job)

Learn to run a specific GitHub Actions job with the act --job flag. Execute only your chosen job and its dependencies, skipping others. Streamline your CI/CD testing.

- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-03-03

### [Listing Available Workflows in act: Command Line Guide](/nektos/act/listing-available-workflows-in-act)

Discover how to list available GitHub Actions workflows in your repository using the nektos act command line tool. Learn to see all workflow files with `act --list`. Get started now!

- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-03-03

### [Enforcing Strict Workflow Schema Validation in act: A Complete Technical Guide](/nektos/act/enforcing-strict-workflow-schema-validation-in-act)

Enforce strict workflow schema validation in act with the --strict flag. Catch unknown keys legacy syntax and invalid expression functions before jobs run. Read this technical guide.

- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-03-03

### [Validating GitHub Actions Workflows with act's `--validate` Flag](/nektos/act/validating-github-actions-workflows-with-acts-validate-flag)

Validate GitHub Actions workflows locally using act's --validate flag. Catch syntax errors and structural issues before running containers for faster development.

- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-03-03

### [Using Act's Watch Mode to Auto-Re-Run Workflows: A Complete Guide](/nektos/act/using-acts-watch-mode-to-auto-re-run-workflows)

Learn to use act watch mode to auto re-run workflows. This guide explains how act monitors changes and re-executes workflows efficiently.

- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-03-03