Practical tips for getting started wit continuous integration

Start with a Simple Workflow

Begin by setting up a basic workflow that includes essential stages, like building the code and running unit tests. In GitHub Actions, you can do this by creating a .yml file in the .github/workflows directory, for example, ci.yml. Define a simple job that runs on each push to your repository’s main branch or on pull requests, which will give you immediate feedback on every change.
Use Predefined Actions

GitHub Actions provides a wide range of predefined actions you can use to simplify your workflow, from setting up specific programming environments to running tests. For example, actions/setup-node or actions/setup-dotnet can prepare your development environment with the correct version of Node.js or .NET, which saves you the trouble of configuring each step manually.
Automate Dependency Installation

Use GitHub Actions to automate the installation of dependencies as part of the workflow. In a .NET project, for example, you can add a step to run dotnet restore, ensuring that all dependencies are in place before building or testing the application. This step ensures consistency across all builds and helps catch any missing dependencies early.
Run Tests on Every Push

Configure your CI pipeline to run tests on each push or pull request. For example, in your .yml file, include a command to execute unit tests, such as dotnet test for .NET projects. Running tests on every push helps catch issues early, and having the CI pipeline enforce this is a great way to ensure you don’t accidentally skip tests.
Use Matrix Builds for Multiple Environments

For testing across multiple versions or configurations, use GitHub Actions’ matrix builds. This allows you to define several environments in your workflow, such as different operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux) or versions of a runtime (e.g., Node.js 14, 16, 18), and GitHub Actions will run the workflow for each. This setup ensures compatibility and reduces potential issues in production.
Check Code Quality with Linting and Static Analysis

Integrate tools like ESLint for JavaScript or SonarCloud for static analysis into your GitHub Actions workflow to automatically check for code quality issues. Adding a linting or analysis step as part of the CI process helps maintain clean, consistent code and allows you to address potential bugs early.
Define Specific Branches for CI

When setting up GitHub Actions, specify that workflows should run on specific branches, such as main and development. This approach ensures that only approved branches trigger the CI pipeline, allowing you to keep CI runs focused on production-ready or pre-production code changes.
Review Logs to Debug Failures

When your CI workflow fails, use the logs that GitHub Actions provides to understand the issue. The logs show each step’s output, which helps identify where the failure occurred. This is especially useful for debugging early on and will make troubleshooting future issues easier.
Use Secrets for Sensitive Information

If your CI pipeline requires sensitive information like API keys, store these as encrypted secrets in GitHub, which you can reference in your workflow file. For example, using $ ensures your sensitive data remains secure and is not hardcoded into your repository.
Iterate and Optimise Your Pipeline

Once you have a basic workflow running, gradually add more stages, like integration tests or code coverage analysis. Optimise your pipeline to keep it efficient and focused, and consider running certain tasks in parallel to speed up the process.
Utilise Notifications for Feedback

Set up notifications to alert you when a workflow fails or succeeds. This feedback allows you to react quickly, fixing issues as soon as they occur and maintaining a clean codebase.