GitHub Actions Runner Images is a repository containing the source code and build configuration for virtual machine images used by GitHub-hosted runners in GitHub Actions and Microsoft-hosted agents in Azure Pipelines.
The repository addresses the need to maintain consistent, pre-configured execution environments for continuous integration and deployment workflows. It provides the image definitions and build scripts necessary to create VM images that come equipped with common development tools, runtimes, and dependencies. Users can reference these images when defining their workflow jobs, or build custom images from the source code provided in the repository.
Teams should use this repository if they need to understand what software and tools are available in GitHub-hosted runners, customize runner images for their own infrastructure, or contribute improvements to the standard images. The repository is particularly suited for organizations running Azure Pipelines who want to align their agent images with GitHub's approach, or for those building self-hosted runners who want to replicate the GitHub-hosted runner environment. The repository includes documentation on how to build VM images from the provided source code.
The project maintains active engagement with the community through issue tracking and pull requests. The codebase is primarily written in PowerShell, reflecting the need to script Windows image builds alongside Linux and macOS configurations. The repository includes comprehensive documentation covering image definitions, release information, software support policies, and frequently asked questions to help users navigate the available images and understand the build process.
