GitHub Actions "Can't find action.yml" / "Missing download info" for a composite action in CI

By Daniel Zoghalchali·Latchkey

A uses: for a composite action must point at a directory (or repo@ref) that contains an action.yml or action.yaml at its root. If the path, ref, or file is wrong, GitHub cannot download or find the action.

What this error means

A step fails with "Can't find 'action.yml' or 'action.yaml' under ..." or "Missing download info for owner/repo@ref". The action never runs.

Error: Can't find 'action.yml', 'action.yaml' or 'Dockerfile'
under '/home/runner/work/app/app/.github/actions/setup'.
Did you forget to run actions/checkout before referencing a local action?

Common causes

The repo was not checked out before a local action

A local composite action (uses: ./path) needs the repository checked out first. Without actions/checkout, the path does not exist on the runner.

The path or ref does not contain action.yml

The directory is wrong, the file is named differently, or the pinned ref of a remote action lacks action.yml at its root.

How to fix it

Check out the repo before a local action

1. Add actions/checkout as the first step so local action paths exist.
2. Point uses: at the directory holding action.yml, relative to the repo root.
3. Confirm the file is named action.yml or action.yaml.

steps:
  - uses: actions/checkout@v4
  - uses: ./.github/actions/setup

Verify a remote action ref has action.yml

For a remote composite action, confirm the pinned ref contains action.yml at the path root.

- uses: octo-org/setup-action@v1

How to prevent it

• Check out the repository before any local action reference.
• Keep action.yml at the root of the action directory.
• Pin remote actions to a ref that contains action.yml.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

References

• GitHub Actions documentation
• Workflow syntax for GitHub Actions