Debug-action-cache Jun 2026

The debug-action-cache operates on a simple yet effective principle:

The debug-action-cache has numerous practical applications across various industries and development scenarios:

If you're caching web assets or API responses within your actions, check the HTTP Cache Headers debug-action-cache

A cryptographic hash calculated from the action's inputs (source files, toolchain, compiler flags, and environment variables).

The pipeline execution time swells because the runner encounters "cache misses," meaning it wastes time searching for keys that do not exist before downloading everything from scratch. Step-by-Step Guide to Debugging GitHub Actions Cache The debug-action-cache operates on a simple yet effective

Examine the exact string your pipeline uses to identify the cache. For example, consider this standard GitHub Actions configuration:

Enable runner diagnostic logging by setting the secret ACTIONS_RUNNER_DEBUG to true . Step 2: Extract and Compare Cache Keys debug-action-cache

: Go to Settings > Actions > Caches in your repository to see total size and individual keys.