GitHub Actions "reusable workflow was not found"

By Daniel Zoghalchali·Latchkey

Calling a reusable workflow requires the exact path under .github/workflows on a ref that exists, and the called file must declare on: workflow_call. A wrong path or ref makes it unresolvable.

What this error means

The caller run fails at startup with "reusable workflow was not found", naming the org/repo/.github/workflows/<file>@<ref> it tried to load.

Error: error parsing called workflow: reusable workflow was not found: org/repo/.github/workflows/build.yml@v1

Common causes

Wrong path or ref

The called workflow path under .github/workflows is misspelled, or the @ref does not exist on the target repo.

Called file lacks workflow_call

The target file does not declare on: workflow_call, so it is not callable.

How to fix it

Point at a valid callable workflow

1. Use the full path under .github/workflows and a ref that exists.
2. Confirm the called workflow has on: workflow_call.
3. For private repos, ensure the caller can access the target.

jobs:
  call:
    uses: org/repo/.github/workflows/build.yml@main

How to prevent it

• Reference reusable workflows by exact path and an existing ref.
• Ensure called workflows declare on: workflow_call.
• Verify cross-repo access for private reusable workflows.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

References

• GitHub Actions documentation
• Workflow syntax for GitHub Actions