# act Local GitHub Actions Runner

> act is an open-source CLI tool that runs GitHub Actions workflows locally using Docker, enabling fast feedback on workflow changes without pushing to GitHub. It is a standard tool for local Actions development and testing.

- Skill: `agentskillexchange/act-local-github-actions-runner` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add agentskillexchange/act-local-github-actions-runner`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/agentskillexchange/act-local-github-actions-runner/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: DevOps & Infra
- Author: agentskillexchange (https://skillmd.com/u/agentskillexchange)
- Updated: 2026-09-08
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/agentskillexchange/act-local-github-actions-runner

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# act Local GitHub Actions Runner

act is an open-source CLI tool that runs GitHub Actions workflows locally using Docker, enabling fast feedback on workflow changes without pushing to GitHub. It is a standard tool for local Actions development and testing.

## Installation

Use the upstream install or setup path that matches your environment:
- Install Docker first. On macOS, use Docker Desktop. On Linux, install Docker Engine.
- On macOS, install act with Homebrew: \`brew install act\`
- git clone https://github.com/nektos/act.git
- make build

Requirements and caveats from upstream:
- act depends on the Docker Engine API to run workflows in containers.
- Jobs that do not require container isolation can be run directly on the host runner when that fits the workflow.

Basic usage or getting-started notes:
- Run all local workflow jobs: \`act\`
- Run a specific job: \`act -j <job>\`

- Source: https://github.com/nektos/act
- Extracted from upstream docs: https://nektosact.com/installation/index.html

## Source

- [Agent Skill Exchange](https://agentskillexchange.com/skills/act-local-github-actions-runner/)