Documentation / Troubleshooting / Action Not Supported

Action Not Supported

WorkerRun supports Node.js actions, composite actions, and run: steps in both execution modes. Docker actions require Container mode (standard-2+).

What Is Supported

V8 Isolation Mode runs-on: worker-run

  • Node.js actions (node12, node16, node20, node24)
  • Composite actions
  • run: steps with 80+ built-in shell commands (echo, curl, jq, grep, sed, awk, etc.)
  • Pre/post lifecycle hooks, if: conditions, continue-on-error

Container Mode runs-on: worker-run/instance-type=lite

  • Node.js actions (node12, node16, node20, node24)
  • Composite actions
  • run: steps with full bash environment
  • Full Ubuntu toolchain: git, npm, actions/checkout@v4, and more
  • Docker-based actions (standard-2+ instance types)
  • Pre/post lifecycle hooks, if: conditions, continue-on-error

What Is Not Supported

Docker actions (V8 mode only)

Actions that use a Dockerfile or docker:// image reference cannot run in V8 isolation mode. Switch to Container mode with standard-2 or higher instance type to use Docker-based actions.

Unsupported action runtime: docker (your-org/docker-action@v1)

Workarounds

Docker action in V8 mode

Switch to Container mode with standard-2 or higher instance type (runs-on: worker-run/instance-type=standard-2). Alternatively, rewrite as a Node.js action, or implement the logic directly in run: steps.

Need git, npm, or other CLI tools in V8 mode

Switch to container mode by setting runs-on: worker-run/instance-type=lite. Container mode provides a full Ubuntu environment with git, npm, and more.

Example: Using Docker Actions with Container Mode

If your workflow uses a Docker-based action, switch to Container mode with a standard-2 or higher instance type:

# Before: V8 mode (Docker not supported)
jobs:
  build:
    runs-on: worker-run
    steps:
      - uses: your-org/docker-action@v1  # will fail

# After: Container mode with Docker support
jobs:
  build:
    runs-on: worker-run/instance-type=standard-2
    steps:
      - uses: your-org/docker-action@v1  # works

Tip: If you need full OS-level tooling (git, npm, docker CLI, etc.) but are currently using V8 isolation mode, switch to container mode by changing your runs-on label to worker-run/instance-type=lite or worker-run/instance-type=basic.