# Workflows and actions reference

Find information on workflows and actions in GitHub Actions.

## Links

* [Workflow syntax for GitHub Actions](/en/actions/reference/workflows-and-actions/workflow-syntax)

  A workflow is a configurable automated process made up of one or more jobs. You must create a YAML file to define your workflow configuration.

* [Events that trigger workflows](/en/actions/reference/workflows-and-actions/events-that-trigger-workflows)

  You can configure your workflows to run when specific activity on GitHub happens, at a scheduled time, or when an event outside of GitHub occurs.

* [Workflow commands for GitHub Actions](/en/actions/reference/workflows-and-actions/workflow-commands)

  You can use workflow commands when running shell commands in a workflow or in an action's code.

* [Variables reference](/en/actions/reference/workflows-and-actions/variables)

  Find information for supported variables, naming conventions, limits, and contexts in GitHub Actions workflows.

* [Evaluate expressions in workflows and actions](/en/actions/reference/workflows-and-actions/expressions)

  Find information for expressions in GitHub Actions.

* [Contexts reference](/en/actions/reference/workflows-and-actions/contexts)

  Find information about contexts available in GitHub Actions workflows, including available properties, access methods, and usage examples.

* [Deployments and environments](/en/actions/reference/workflows-and-actions/deployments-and-environments)

  Find information about deployment protection rules, environment secrets, and environment variables.

* [Dependency caching reference](/en/actions/reference/workflows-and-actions/dependency-caching)

  Find information on the functionality of dependency caching in workflows.

* [Reusing workflow configurations](/en/actions/reference/workflows-and-actions/reusing-workflow-configurations)

  Find information about avoiding duplication when creating a workflow by reusing existing workflows.

* [Metadata syntax reference](/en/actions/reference/workflows-and-actions/metadata-syntax)

  You can create actions to perform tasks in your repository. If you're making a custom action, it will require a metadata file that uses YAML syntax.

* [Workflow cancellation reference](/en/actions/reference/workflows-and-actions/workflow-cancellation)

  Find information on the steps GitHub takes to cancel a workflow run.

* [Dockerfile support for GitHub Actions](/en/actions/reference/workflows-and-actions/dockerfile-support)

  When creating a Dockerfile for a Docker container action, you should be aware of how some Docker instructions interact with GitHub Actions and an action's metadata file.