Local CI Runner (ACT)

Local CI Runner Skill (ACT)

Run GitHub Actions workflows locally in Docker before pushing to ensure CI passes.

Overview

This skill uses ACT to run GitHub Actions workflows locally in Docker containers. This catches CI failures before they hit GitHub, saving time and avoiding failed PR checks.

Why Local CI?

1. Catch failures early: Don't wait 2-3 minutes for GitHub CI to fail
2. Iterate faster: Fix lint/test issues locally before pushing
3. Save CI minutes: Avoid burning GitHub Actions minutes on failures
4. Pre-commit integration: Automatically verify before each commit

Installation

Prerequisites

# Install Docker (if not installed)
brew install --cask docker

# Install ACT
brew install act

# Verify installation
act --version
docker --version

First-Time Setup

# Pull the required Docker image (medium size, good balance)
act -P ubuntu-latest=catthehacker/ubuntu:act-latest

# Or use smaller image for faster runs
act -P ubuntu-latest=catthehacker/ubuntu:act-22.04

Tools

1. run_workflow

Run a specific GitHub Actions workflow locally.

Usage:

# Run a specific workflow
act -W .github/workflows/lint.yml

# Run with specific event
act push -W .github/workflows/ci.yml

# Run specific job
act -j lint -W .github/workflows/ci.yml

2. run_lint_check

Quick lint verification using the lint workflow.

Usage:

# Run lint checks only
act -j "Lint & Format" -W .github/workflows/ci.yml --container-architecture linux/amd64

# Or run ruff directly (faster, no Docker)
uvx ruff check . && uvx ruff format --check .

3. run_all_checks

Run all CI checks locally.

Usage:

# Run full CI suite
act push -W .github/workflows/ci.yml --container-architecture linux/amd64

# Run with secrets (if needed)
act push --secret-file .env.ci

4. verify_before_push

Comprehensive pre-push verification.

Usage:

# Quick verification (lint + type check)
uvx ruff check . && uvx ruff format --check . && mypy src/

# Full verification with ACT
act push -W .github/workflows/ci.yml --container-architecture linux/amd64

Pre-Commit Integration

Add to .pre-commit-config.yaml:

repos:
  - repo: local
    hooks:
      - id: local-ci-lint
        name: Local CI Lint Check
        entry: bash -c 'uvx ruff check . && uvx ruff format --check .'
        language: system
        pass_filenames: false
        stages: [pre-push]

      - id: local-ci-full
        name: Local CI Full Check (ACT)
        entry: bash -c 'act -j "Lint & Format" -W .github/workflows/ci.yml --container-architecture linux/amd64 2>/dev/null || echo "ACT not available, skipping"'
        language: system
        pass_filenames: false
        stages: [pre-push]
        verbose: true

Quick Commands

# List available workflows
act -l

# List jobs in a workflow
act -l -W .github/workflows/ci.yml

# Dry run (show what would happen)
act -n push

# Run with verbose output
act -v push -W .github/workflows/ci.yml

# Run on Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3)
act --container-architecture linux/amd64 push

Common Issues & Solutions

1. Docker not running

# Start Docker Desktop or
open -a Docker

2. Image pull fails

# Use smaller image
act -P ubuntu-latest=catthehacker/ubuntu:act-22.04

3. Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) issues

# Always add architecture flag
act --container-architecture linux/amd64

4. Secrets not available

# Create .env.ci file with secrets
echo "GITHUB_TOKEN=xxx" > .env.ci
act --secret-file .env.ci

Integration with Claude CTO Workflow

Before Every Push

1. Run uvx ruff check . && uvx ruff format --check .
2. If lint passes, run act -j "Lint & Format" for full verification
3. If ACT passes, push with confidence

Pre-Commit Hook Enforcement

The pre-commit hook should:

1. Run ruff lint/format (fast, always)
2. Run ACT lint job (optional, on pre-push)

CI Verification Protocol

MANDATORY before pushing any PR:

# Step 1: Quick lint check (always do this)
uvx ruff check . && uvx ruff format --check .

# Step 2: If changes are significant, run ACT
act -j "Lint & Format" -W .github/workflows/ci.yml --container-architecture linux/amd64

# Step 3: Only push if both pass
git push origin branch-name

Best Practices (Anthropic Test & Evaluate Guidelines)

Following Anthropic's testing best practices:

1. Define Success Criteria: CI must pass before merge
2. Automated Verification: Pre-commit hooks catch issues early
3. Fast Feedback: Local CI is faster than GitHub CI
4. Consistent Environment: Docker ensures reproducibility
5. Incremental Testing: Run targeted checks (lint only vs full suite)

Configuration

Create .actrc in project root:

-P ubuntu-latest=catthehacker/ubuntu:act-latest
--container-architecture linux/amd64
-W .github/workflows/ci.yml

Then just run:

act push

Maintenance

• Update ACT: brew upgrade act
• Update Docker images: docker pull catthehacker/ubuntu:act-latest
• Review workflows when CI config changes