GitHub Actions reusable workflow "Required input is not provided" in CI

By Kaveh Alemi·Latchkey

A workflow_call workflow can mark inputs required: true. If the calling job omits one under with, the call fails immediately because a required input has no value.

What this error means

The caller fails before the reusable workflow runs, reporting that a required input was not provided to the called workflow.

Invalid workflow file: .github/workflows/caller.yml
(Line: 6, Col: 5): Required input 'environment' is not supplied for workflow ./.github/workflows/deploy.yml

Common causes

The caller omitted a required input

The reusable workflow declares inputs.environment.required: true, but the calling job has no matching with.environment.

A typo in the input name under with

A misspelled key under with does not satisfy the required input, which stays unprovided.

How to fix it

Pass every required input under with

1. Read the inputs block of the called workflow for required keys.
2. Provide each one under with in the calling job.
3. Match names exactly.

jobs:
  deploy:
    uses: ./.github/workflows/deploy.yml
    with:
      environment: production

Give the input a default if optional

If the value is not always needed, set required: false and a default in the called workflow.

inputs:
  environment:
    required: false
    type: string
    default: staging

How to prevent it

• Document required inputs in the reusable workflow.
• Provide defaults for inputs that have a sensible fallback.
• Keep input names in sync between caller and callee.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

References

• GitHub Actions documentation
• Workflow syntax for GitHub Actions