Scheduled workflow deprecation warning ("This scheduled workflow is using ...") in CI
A scheduled run can surface a deprecation annotation when it pins an old action major version or a runner image that is being retired. Because the cron runs unattended, these warnings are easy to miss until the deprecated version stops working.
What this error means
The scheduled run succeeds but shows an annotation like "This scheduled workflow is using a deprecated version of actions/checkout" or a message that the runner image will be retired.
Warning: This scheduled workflow is using actions/checkout@v3,
which is deprecated. Upgrade to actions/checkout@v4.Common causes
Pinned action or image is deprecated
An old major version of an action or a retiring runner image raises a deprecation annotation that will eventually fail.
Unattended cron hides the warning
Nobody watches scheduled runs, so the deprecation lingers until the version is removed and the cron breaks.
How to fix it
Upgrade the pinned versions
- Read the annotation to find the deprecated action or image.
- Bump to the supported major version or image label.
- Re-run to confirm the deprecation annotation is gone.
- uses: actions/checkout@v4
# and pin the runner image explicitly if needed:
runs-on: ubuntu-24.04Watch scheduled-run annotations
Notify on annotations from scheduled runs so deprecations are handled before the version is removed.
How to prevent it
- Keep actions pinned to supported major versions.
- Pin runner images and track retirement notices.
- Surface scheduled-run warnings so they are not missed.