Can I use this as a replacement for the official github action runner, too?

[cleeland]

I would like to use github actions on windows with containers specified in the workflows, and it appears that this fork has that capability. Can I use this as a direct replacement for the official github-released actions runner, possibly as simply as unzip'ing this release into the same folder?

Also, what is the difference between the "fxindependent" releases and the non-fxindependent?

[ChristopherHX]

Also, what is the difference between the "fxindependent" releases and the non-fxindependent?

fxdependent means, bring your own dotnet runtime. Currently one of

• .net6
• .net8 (forward compat)

E.g. dotnet Runner.Listener.dll would be called internally, the available dotnet tool can be compiled once and installed on win/linux/mac and intel or arm via this packaging.

The non fxdependent releases match the actions/runner bin folder.

Can I use this as a direct replacement for the official github-released actions runner, possibly as simply as unzip'ing this release into the same folder?

It has been some time between me connecting this runner to github.com and now. It has been possible, but I or you would need to check it.

Here an instruction

• Install the actions/runner
• Delete the bin folder
• Create new bin folder with the content of https://github.com/ChristopherHX/runner.server/releases/download/v3.12.1/runner.server-win-x64.zip
• Check if ./bin/Runner.Listener(.exe) exists.
• Try it out
• don't forget to update the runner if it breaks and or report issues here

[cleeland]

Thanks for the info! I'll will check it.

What is the latest official action runner version on which this is based?

[cleeland]

What is the latest official action runner version on which this is based?

Treating the official as upstream, it looks like maybe it's 2.316? If so, I might have to either try to merge myself with 2.319 or later, or wait for you to re-sync if it gets beyond my capabilities. I need some stuff from 319 and beyond to work with some required actions.

I guess I could also explore porting your container changes back over to 2.321 (latest official at time of this writing), but I expect that might actually be more difficult/error-prone.

[ChristopherHX]

What is the latest official action runner version on which this is based?

As of my 3.12.0 release: based on v2.319.1 ~ snapshot end of August.

Since I use 3.x.x runner releases, you don't need disableupdate and the 30 days deprecation logic is skipped as well.

My github-act-runner written from scratch had no breakings between August and December, so I assume this one has no problems until somewhere in January as well.

[cleeland]

Oh, excellent! Life just got potentially simpler. Will report back soon.

[cleeland]

Took me a little longer than I'd hoped, but it appears to work.

[ChristopherHX]

Good to know that this works for you.
Did you face any obstacles during your setup?
I could publish the original runner packages again (currently available as actions artifact from ci).
In the meantime I merged the latest actions/runner from today into this fork, so 3.13 can make use of this runner version as soon as I create the next release.

[cleeland]

No technical issues that weren't my own fault. I think maybe I had to remove the runner registration, then add it again? It's probably significant that nothing stands out as being difficult in my memory.