GitHub Actions Custom Runner Images Reach General Availability

"GitHub has just announced the availability of custom images for its hosted runners. This feature will enable teams to use a GitHub-approved base image and then construct a virtual machine image that really meets their workflow requirements."

"Custom images flip that model: you bake everything in one go, and later jobs bypass the setup completely. The process has three steps: set up an image-generation runner, run a workflow with the snapshot keyword, then create a runner that uses that image."

"GitHub suggests setting up image generation as a weekly task. This helps keep dependencies up to date and ensures security patches are applied regularly. Governance gets a nod in the documentation: enterprise owners can manage access to custom images and set retention policies in the Actions policy settings."

GitHub has launched custom images for its hosted runners, moving out of public preview. This feature allows teams to create a virtual machine image that meets specific workflow needs, eliminating the need to install tools from scratch for each job. The process involves setting up an image-generation runner, using the snapshot keyword to create images, and configuring runners to use these images. Regular updates and governance options are available for enterprise users to manage access and retention of custom images.

Read at InfoQ