act ".secrets" file not loaded / secret empty running Actions locally
act does not read your GitHub repository secrets. It loads secrets from a local .secrets file (or -s KEY=value / --secret-file). If the file is missing or the key name differs, the secret is empty at runtime.
What this error means
A step reads secrets.MY_KEY as empty and fails with a null/blank credential, even though the secret is set on GitHub.
act
Error: Input required and not supplied: password
| secrets.DOCKER_PASSWORD resolved to an empty stringCommon causes
No .secrets file or --secret-file provided
act only knows secrets you give it locally; GitHub repository secrets are not available to act.
The key name does not match the workflow
A typo or case mismatch between the .secrets key and secrets.NAME leaves the value unresolved.
How to fix it
Create a .secrets file with matching keys
Use exactly the names the workflow references, one KEY=value per line, and gitignore the file.
.secrets
DOCKER_USERNAME=dev
DOCKER_PASSWORD=your_password_herePoint act at an explicit secret file
Load a non-default file with --secret-file, or pass individual secrets with -s.
Terminal
act --secret-file .secrets.ci -j deployHow to prevent it
- Keep a gitignored
.secretsfile whose keys mirror the workflow. - Match secret names exactly, including case.
- Never commit real secrets; use placeholders in shared examples.
Frequently asked questions
What causes ""secret ... is empty" under act"?
act only knows secrets you give it locally; GitHub repository secrets are not available to act.
How do I fix "secret ... is empty" under act?
Use exactly the names the workflow references, one KEY=value per line, and gitignore the file.
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