Understanding the "No files found" Artifact Upload Error
The dreaded "No files found" error during GitHub Actions workflows, particularly when deploying Emscripten-compiled projects to GitHub Pages, is a common frustration. This error signifies that your GitHub Actions workflow successfully compiled your project, but the crucial output files – typically your HTML, JavaScript, and other assets – aren't being correctly uploaded as artifacts. This prevents your GitHub Pages site from being updated. This often stems from inconsistencies in how files are specified in your workflow, or incorrect paths within your project.
Diagnosing the Root Cause: Common Culprits
Pinpointing the exact cause of the "No files found" error requires systematic investigation. Several factors can contribute: incorrect file paths specified in the upload-artifact step, issues with the Emscripten build process, or problems with the directory structure of your project. Let's explore these possibilities and common solutions.
Incorrect File Paths in upload-artifact
The most frequent problem is an incorrectly specified path in the upload-artifact step of your GitHub Actions workflow. You need to ensure the path points precisely to the directory containing the output files generated by your Emscripten compilation. Double-check for typos and verify that the specified directory actually exists after your Emscripten build completes. Often, developers mistakenly point to the source code directory instead of the build output directory.
Emscripten Build Issues and Output Location
Sometimes the problem isn't with the upload itself, but with the Emscripten build process. If the Emscripten compilation fails or produces no output files in the expected location, the upload-artifact step will naturally find nothing to upload. Carefully examine your Emscripten build logs for any errors or warnings. Ensure that your emcc command correctly specifies output file names and directories.
GitHub Actions Workflow File Structure and Context
The context of your GitHub Actions workflow is crucial. Ensure that the upload-artifact step runs after the Emscripten compilation is complete. Using the correct run and uses commands within your .yml file is critical. Also, be mindful of working directories. The working-directory setting can impact file path resolution within your workflow.
Practical Solutions and Best Practices
Let's delve into practical strategies for troubleshooting and resolving this error. A well-structured workflow is key.
Step-by-Step Guide to Correcting the Workflow
- Verify Emscripten Build: Ensure your Emscripten build successfully generates the expected files in the correct directory. Check the build logs for any errors.
- Precise Path Specification: Double-check the file path in your upload-artifact step. Use absolute paths for clarity. For example, instead of ./dist, consider using /home/runner/work/
/ /dist (adjust accordingly for your repository structure). - Debugging with echo: Add echo commands in your workflow to print the current working directory and the path to your artifacts. This will help confirm if the paths are correct.
- Artifact Name Consistency: Maintain consistency in how you name your artifacts. Using descriptive names helps in identifying them later.
- GitHub Actions Logs: Thoroughly review the complete GitHub Actions logs to identify the exact point of failure. Look for any error messages related to file paths or the upload-artifact step.
Example Workflow Snippet
name: Deploy to GitHub Pages on: push: branches: - main jobs: build-and-deploy: runs-on: ubuntu-latest steps: - uses: actions/checkout@v3 - name: Install Emscripten ... your Emscripten installation steps ... - name: Build with Emscripten run: emcc your_project.c -o dist/your_project.html - name: Upload Artifact uses: actions/upload-artifact@v3 with: name: gh-pages path: dist/ Remember to replace placeholders like
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Incorrect path in upload-artifact | Use absolute paths and verify directory existence. |
| Emscripten build failure | Examine Emscripten build logs for errors. |
| Workflow timing issue | Ensure upload-artifact runs after the build. |
"Debugging is twice as hard as writing the code in the first place. Therefore, if you write the code as cleverly as possible, you are, by definition, not smart enough to debug it." - Brian Kernighan
This quote highlights the importance of writing clean, well-structured code and workflows. Clear and concise workflows are much easier to debug.
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Conclusion
Resolving the "No files found" error in GitHub Actions when deploying Emscripten projects to GitHub Pages often involves carefully examining file paths, ensuring a successful Emscripten build, and properly structuring your GitHub Actions workflow. By following the steps and best practices outlined above, you can streamline your deployment process and avoid this common pitfall. Remember to consult the official GitHub Actions documentation and Emscripten documentation for detailed information and further support. Happy building!
For advanced troubleshooting, consider using a debugging tool like GitHub Actions Debugger.
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