GitHub Actions composite action "using: node20 required"

By Kaveh Alemi·Latchkey

Every custom action declares runs.using. JavaScript actions must target a supported node runtime (node20), composite actions use composite, and Docker actions use docker. A missing or deprecated using value fails to load.

What this error means

An action referenced by a workflow fails to load because its action.yml runs.using is absent or set to an unsupported value.

Error: the "using" property in your action.yml file must be set to "node20"
(or "composite"/"docker"). Found: "node12"

Common causes

Deprecated node runtime

runs.using points at an end-of-life runtime such as node12 or node16 that is no longer supported.

Missing using for a composite action

A composite action omits runs.using: composite, so the runner cannot determine how to execute it.

How to fix it

Set a supported using value

1. For JavaScript actions set runs.using to node20 and rebuild the bundle.
2. For composite actions set runs.using: composite with a steps list.
3. For Docker actions set runs.using: docker with an image.

runs:
  using: composite
  steps:
    - run: echo hello
      shell: bash

How to prevent it

• Keep JavaScript actions on the current supported node runtime.
• Always declare runs.using explicitly in custom actions.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

References

• GitHub Actions documentation
• Workflow syntax for GitHub Actions