Update README.md

* feat: add _run_hook helper and eight hook inputs

* fix(_run_hook): default snippet to empty when arg unset

* feat: wire add/commit hooks into _main

* feat: wire tag and push hooks into _main

* test: verify failing hook aborts the action

* docs: document hooks system in README

* test: tighten failing-hook assertion

* docs(hooks): note set -eu semantics for snippet authors

* refactor(hooks): rename action inputs to suffix with _hook

* refactor(hooks): include _hook suffix in event identifier

* docs(hooks): add notes about security implications of hooks

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug.yaml

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ body:
   - type: markdown
     attributes:
       value: |
-        Before opening a bug report, please search for the behaviour in the existing issues. 
+        Before opening a bug report, please search for the behaviour in existing issues or discussions. 
         
         ---
         
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ body:
     id: bug-description
     attributes:
       label: Bug description
-      description: What exactly happened?
+      description: What exactly happened? Please describe your problem in detail.
     validations:
       required: true
   - type: textarea
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ body:
     id: example-workflow
     attributes:
       label: Example Workflow
-      description: Please share your GitHub Actions workflow which causes the bug. We use this to reproduce the error. No need for backticks here.
+      description: Please share the YAML-code of your GitHub Actions workflow which causes the bug. We use this to reproduce the error. If the workflow is in a private repostory, please provide a minimal example. (No need for backticks here, the pasted code will be correctly formatted.)
       render: yaml
     validations:
       required: true
@@ -60,5 +60,10 @@ body:
     id: logs
     attributes:
       label: Relevant log output
-      description: If applicable, provide relevant log output. No need for backticks here.
+      description: If applicable, provide relevant log output. Please copy and paste the output here, and make sure to remove any sensitive information. (No need for backticks here, the pasted code will be correctly formatted.)
       render: shell
+  - type: input
+    id: repository-url
+    attributes:
+      label: Repository
+      description: If applicable, please provide the repository where the bug occurred.

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml

@@ -4,5 +4,5 @@ contact_links:
     url: https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/discussions/new?category=help
     about: If you can't get something to work the way you expect, open a question in our discussion forums.
   - name: Feature Request
-    url: https://github.com/tailwindlabs/tailwindcss/discussions/new?category=ideas
+    url: https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/discussions/new?category=ideas
-    about: 'Suggest any ideas you have using our discussion forums.'
+    about: "Suggest any ideas you have using our discussion forums."

.github/SECURITY.md

@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# Security Policy
+
+If you discover any security related issues, please email stefan@stefanzweifel.dev instead of using the issue tracker.

.github/workflows/git-auto-commit.yml

@@ -16,7 +16,9 @@ jobs:
       contents: write
 
     steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v7
+      with:
+        ref: ${{ github.head_ref }}
 
     - name: Use git-auto-commit-action
       id: "auto-commit-action"

.github/workflows/linter.yml

@@ -9,10 +9,10 @@ jobs:
 
     steps:
       - name: Checkout Code
-        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        uses: actions/checkout@v7
 
       - name: Lint Code Base
-        uses: github/super-linter@v5
+        uses: github/super-linter@v7
         env:
           VALIDATE_ALL_CODEBASE: false
           VALIDATE_MARKDOWN: false

.github/workflows/release-drafter.yml

@@ -15,6 +15,6 @@ jobs:
       contents: write
 
     steps:
-      - uses: release-drafter/release-drafter@v6
+      - uses: release-drafter/release-drafter@v7
         env:
           GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}

.github/workflows/tests.yml

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
 
     steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v7
 
     - name: Install testing dependencies
       run: yarn install

.github/workflows/update-changelog.yaml

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ jobs:
 
     steps:
       - name: Checkout code
-        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        uses: actions/checkout@v7
         with:
           ref: master
 
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ jobs:
           latest-version: ${{ github.event.release.name }}
 
       - name: Commit updated CHANGELOG
-        uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v5
+        uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
         with:
           branch: master
           commit_message: Update CHANGELOG

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -5,10 +5,106 @@ All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
 The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](http://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/)
 and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](http://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
 
-## [Unreleased](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v5.0.0...HEAD)
+## [Unreleased](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v7.1.0...HEAD)
 
 > TBD
 
+## [v7.1.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v7.0.0...v7.1.0) - 2025-12-17
+
+### Added
+
+- Add skip_push input option ([#401](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/401)) [@kvanzuijlen](https://github.com/@kvanzuijlen)
+
+### Changes
+
+- docs: fix typo in README.md ([#400](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/400)) [@GideonBear](https://github.com/@GideonBear)
+
+### Dependency Updates
+
+- Bump actions/checkout from 5 to 6 ([#399](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/399)) [@[dependabot[bot]](https://github.com/apps/dependabot)](https://github.com/@[dependabot[bot]](https://github.com/apps/dependabot))
+- Bump bats from 1.12.0 to 1.13.0 ([#398](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/398)) [@[dependabot[bot]](https://github.com/apps/dependabot)](https://github.com/@[dependabot[bot]](https://github.com/apps/dependabot))
+
+## [v7.0.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v6.0.1...v7.0.0) - 2025-10-12
+
+### Added
+
+- Restore skip_fetch, skip_checkout, create_branch ([#388](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/388)) [@stefanzweifel](https://github.com/@stefanzweifel)
+- Restore Detached State Detection ([#393](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/393)) [@stefanzweifel](https://github.com/@stefanzweifel)
+- Add Support for Tag Messages ([#391](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/391)) [@EliasBoulharts](https://github.com/@EliasBoulharts)
+
+### Changed
+
+- Run Action on Node 24 ([#389](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/389)) [@stefanzweifel](https://github.com/@stefanzweifel)
+
+### Dependency Updates
+
+- Bump actions/checkout from 4 to 5 ([#386](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/386)) [@[dependabot[bot]](https://github.com/apps/dependabot)](https://github.com/@[dependabot[bot]](https://github.com/apps/dependabot))
+
+## [v6.0.1](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v6.0.0...v6.0.1) - 2025-06-11
+
+### Fixed
+
+- Disable Check if Repo is in Detached State ([#379](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/379)) [@stefanzweifel](https://github.com/@stefanzweifel)
+
+## [v6.0.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v5.2.0...v6.0.0) - 2025-06-10
+
+### Added
+
+- Throw error early if repository is in a detached state ([#357](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/357))
+
+### Fixed
+
+- Fix PAT instructions with Dependabot ([#376](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/376)) [@Dreamsorcerer](https://github.com/@Dreamsorcerer)
+
+### Removed
+
+- Remove support for `create_branch`, `skip_checkout`, `skip_Fetch` ([#314](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/314))
+
+## [v5.2.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v5.1.0...v5.2.0) - 2025-04-19
+
+### Added
+
+- Add `create_git_tag_only` option to skip commiting and always create a git-tag. ([#364](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/364)) [@zMynxx](https://github.com/@zMynxx)
+- Add Test for `create_git_tag_only` feature ([#367](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/367)) [@stefanzweifel](https://github.com/@stefanzweifel)
+
+### Fixed
+
+- docs: Update README.md per #354 ([#361](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/361)) [@rasa](https://github.com/@rasa)
+
+## [v5.1.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v5.0.1...v5.1.0) - 2025-01-11
+
+### Changed
+
+- Include `github.actor_id` in default `commit_author` ([#354](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/354)) [@parkerbxyz](https://github.com/@parkerbxyz)
+
+### Fixed
+
+- docs(README): fix broken protected branch docs link ([#346](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/346)) [@scarf005](https://github.com/@scarf005)
+- Update README.md ([#343](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/343)) [@Kludex](https://github.com/@Kludex)
+
+### Dependency Updates
+
+- Bump bats from 1.11.0 to 1.11.1 ([#353](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/353)) [@dependabot](https://github.com/@dependabot)
+- Bump github/super-linter from 6 to 7 ([#342](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/342)) [@dependabot](https://github.com/@dependabot)
+- Bump github/super-linter from 5 to 6 ([#335](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/335)) [@dependabot](https://github.com/@dependabot)
+
+## [v5.0.1](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v5.0.0...v5.0.1) - 2024-04-12
+
+### Fixed
+
+- Fail if attempting to execute git commands in a directory that is not a git-repo. ([#326](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/326)) [@ccomendant](https://github.com/@ccomendant)
+
+### Dependency Updates
+
+- Bump bats from 1.10.0 to 1.11.0 ([#325](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/325)) [@dependabot](https://github.com/@dependabot)
+- Bump release-drafter/release-drafter from 5 to 6 ([#319](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/319)) [@dependabot](https://github.com/@dependabot)
+
+### Misc
+
+- Clarify `commit_author` input option ([#315](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/315)) [@npanuhin](https://github.com/@npanuhin)
+- Add step id explanation for output in README.md ([#324](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/324)) [@ChristianVermeulen](https://github.com/@ChristianVermeulen)
+- Linux is not UNIX ([#321](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/pull/321)) [@couling](https://github.com/@couling)
+
 ## [v5.0.0](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/compare/v4.16.0...v5.0.0) - 2023-10-06
 
 New major release that bumps the default runtime to Node 20. There are no other breaking changes.

CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md

@@ -72,5 +72,4 @@ available at https://www.contributor-covenant.org/version/1/4/code-of-conduct.ht
 
 [homepage]: https://www.contributor-covenant.org
 
-For answers to common questions about this code of conduct, see
+For answers to common questions about this code of conduct, see the [Contributor Covenant FAQ](https://www.contributor-covenant.org/faq).
-https://www.contributor-covenant.org/faq

EXAMPLES.md

@@ -0,0 +1,551 @@
+# Examples
+
+This document shows real-world scenarios where `git-auto-commit` is useful, with a working GitHub Actions workflow for each. The scenarios are based on questions and use cases that have come up in the [issues](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/issues) and [discussions](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/discussions) of this repository over the years.
+
+If you have a use case that isn't covered here, [open a discussion](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/discussions) — we may add it.
+
+## Table of Contents
+
+- [Auto-format code on pull requests](#auto-format-code-on-pull-requests)
+- [Auto-fix lint errors](#auto-fix-lint-errors)
+- [Update dependency lock files](#update-dependency-lock-files)
+- [Build and commit compiled assets](#build-and-commit-compiled-assets)
+- [Auto-generate API documentation](#auto-generate-api-documentation)
+- [Update README with generated content](#update-readme-with-generated-content)
+- [Maintain a CHANGELOG](#maintain-a-changelog)
+- [Sync translations / i18n files](#sync-translations--i18n-files)
+- [Publish a static site to a separate branch](#publish-a-static-site-to-a-separate-branch)
+- [Scheduled data refresh](#scheduled-data-refresh)
+- [Create a release tag without a commit](#create-a-release-tag-without-a-commit)
+- [Fail the build instead of pushing changes (drift check)](#fail-the-build-instead-of-pushing-changes-drift-check)
+- [Sign automated commits with GPG](#sign-automated-commits-with-gpg)
+- [Squash automated changes into the previous commit](#squash-automated-changes-into-the-previous-commit)
+
+---
+
+## Auto-format code on pull requests
+
+**Description:** Run a code formatter (Prettier, php-cs-fixer, Black, gofmt, rustfmt, …) on every pull request and commit the resulting changes back to the contributor's branch. Contributors don't have to think about style; the bot fixes it for them.
+
+This is the most common use case for this Action. Running it on `pull_request` means the formatter only touches the PR branch — never your default branch directly.
+
+```yaml
+name: Format
+
+on: pull_request
+
+jobs:
+  prettier:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+        with:
+          ref: ${{ github.head_ref }}
+
+      - uses: actions/setup-node@v4
+        with:
+          node-version: 20
+
+      - run: npx prettier --write .
+
+      - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
+        with:
+          commit_message: "style: apply prettier formatting"
+```
+
+> [!TIP]
+> If the PR comes from a fork, the Action can only push back if the contributor enabled "Allow edits by maintainers". See the [forks section in the README](README.md#use-in-forks-from-public-repositories) for details.
+
+---
+
+## Auto-fix lint errors
+
+**Description:** Many linters can both report and auto-fix problems (`eslint --fix`, `rubocop -a`, `ruff --fix`, `stylelint --fix`, …). Use the Action to commit the auto-fixed result so reviewers only see the issues that need human judgement.
+
+```yaml
+name: Lint and fix
+
+on: pull_request
+
+jobs:
+  eslint:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+        with:
+          ref: ${{ github.head_ref }}
+
+      - uses: actions/setup-node@v4
+        with:
+          node-version: 20
+          cache: npm
+
+      - run: npm ci
+      - run: npx eslint . --fix
+
+      - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
+        with:
+          commit_message: "chore: apply eslint --fix"
+```
+
+> [!TIP]
+> `file_pattern` is intentionally omitted here. If one of several custom patterns does not match a file in the repository, `git add` can fail with a pathspec error. Let the linter decide which files to change, or use a custom pattern that you know exists in your repository.
+
+---
+
+## Update dependency lock files
+
+**Description:** When a dependency tool produces a fresh lock file (`package-lock.json`, `composer.lock`, `Gemfile.lock`, `poetry.lock`, …), commit only the lock file. Pair this with a scheduled job to keep lock files in sync without manual intervention.
+
+```yaml
+name: Refresh lock file
+
+on:
+  schedule:
+    - cron: "0 6 * * 1" # every Monday at 06:00 UTC
+  workflow_dispatch:
+
+jobs:
+  refresh:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+
+      - uses: actions/setup-node@v4
+        with:
+          node-version: 20
+
+      - run: npm install --package-lock-only
+
+      - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
+        with:
+          commit_message: "chore(deps): refresh package-lock.json"
+          file_pattern: package-lock.json
+```
+
+---
+
+## Build and commit compiled assets
+
+**Description:** For projects that ship a `dist/` folder (libraries, browser extensions, themes), build the assets in CI and commit them so consumers can install directly from the repo without a build step.
+
+```yaml
+name: Build dist
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches: [main]
+
+jobs:
+  build:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+
+      - uses: actions/setup-node@v4
+        with:
+          node-version: 20
+          cache: npm
+
+      - run: npm ci
+      - run: npm run build
+
+      - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
+        with:
+          commit_message: "build: update dist/"
+          file_pattern: "dist/**"
+```
+
+> [!NOTE]
+> If `dist/` is in `.gitignore`, the Action will not pick up changes. See the [troubleshooting section in the README](README.md#change-to-file-is-not-detected).
+
+---
+
+## Auto-generate API documentation
+
+**Description:** Tools like TypeDoc, Doxygen, Sphinx, or `cargo doc` generate documentation from source comments. Regenerate on every push to `main` and commit the output so the published docs always match the latest code.
+
+```yaml
+name: Docs
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches: [main]
+
+jobs:
+  typedoc:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+
+      - uses: actions/setup-node@v4
+        with:
+          node-version: 20
+          cache: npm
+
+      - run: npm ci
+      - run: npx typedoc --out docs/api src/index.ts
+
+      - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
+        with:
+          commit_message: "docs: regenerate API reference"
+          file_pattern: "docs/api/**"
+```
+
+---
+
+## Update README with generated content
+
+**Description:** Many projects keep dynamic sections in the README — a contributor list, a badge gallery, a table of contents, a list of supported plugins. Regenerate them on a schedule (or when a related file changes) and commit the result.
+
+```yaml
+name: Update contributors
+
+on:
+  schedule:
+    - cron: "0 0 * * 0" # weekly
+  workflow_dispatch:
+
+jobs:
+  contributors:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+
+      - uses: akhilmhdh/contributors-readme-action@v2.3.10
+        env:
+          GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+
+      - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
+        with:
+          commit_message: "docs: update contributors"
+          file_pattern: README.md
+```
+
+---
+
+## Maintain a CHANGELOG
+
+**Description:** Generate or update `CHANGELOG.md` from commit history or release notes after each merge to `main`, and commit it back.
+
+```yaml
+name: Update CHANGELOG
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches: [main]
+
+jobs:
+  changelog:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0 # full history so the generator sees all commits
+
+      - uses: actions/setup-node@v4
+        with:
+          node-version: 20
+
+      - run: npx conventional-changelog -p angular -i CHANGELOG.md -s
+
+      - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
+        with:
+          commit_message: "docs: update CHANGELOG"
+          file_pattern: CHANGELOG.md
+```
+
+---
+
+## Sync translations / i18n files
+
+**Description:** When translations are managed in an external service (Crowdin, Lokalise, Weblate) or extracted from source, pull or generate the latest catalogs on a schedule and commit them.
+
+```yaml
+name: Sync translations
+
+on:
+  schedule:
+    - cron: "0 3 * * *" # daily at 03:00 UTC
+
+jobs:
+  sync:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+
+      - name: Download translations
+        run: ./scripts/pull-translations.sh
+        env:
+          CROWDIN_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.CROWDIN_TOKEN }}
+
+      - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
+        with:
+          commit_message: "i18n: sync translations from Crowdin"
+          file_pattern: "locales/**/*.json"
+```
+
+---
+
+## Publish a static site to a separate branch
+
+**Description:** Build a static site on `main` and push the generated output to a `gh-pages` branch so GitHub Pages can serve it. Use a second checkout directory for the publish branch so the source checkout and generated site do not get mixed together.
+
+Create the `gh-pages` branch once before using this workflow.
+
+```yaml
+name: Build site
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches: [main]
+
+jobs:
+  build:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+        with:
+          path: source
+
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+        with:
+          ref: gh-pages
+          path: site
+
+      - name: Build site
+        working-directory: source
+        run: ./build-site.sh # produces output in ./public
+
+      - name: Replace publish branch contents
+        run: |
+          find site -mindepth 1 -maxdepth 1 ! -name .git -exec rm -rf {} +
+          cp -R source/public/. site/
+
+      - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
+        with:
+          repository: site
+          branch: gh-pages
+          commit_message: "site: rebuild from ${{ github.sha }}"
+```
+
+> [!NOTE]
+> For most Pages workflows the official [`actions/deploy-pages`](https://github.com/actions/deploy-pages) is a better fit. Use this approach when you specifically want the build output stored in a branch.
+
+---
+
+## Scheduled data refresh
+
+**Description:** Pull data from an external source on a schedule and commit it. Common examples: tracking statistics, snapshotting an API response, refreshing a cached dataset.
+
+```yaml
+name: Refresh stats
+
+on:
+  schedule:
+    - cron: "0 * * * *" # hourly
+  workflow_dispatch:
+
+jobs:
+  refresh:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+
+      - run: curl -sSL https://api.example.com/stats.json -o data/stats.json
+
+      - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
+        with:
+          commit_message: "data: refresh hourly stats"
+          file_pattern: "data/*.json"
+```
+
+---
+
+## Create a release tag without a commit
+
+**Description:** Sometimes you want to tag the current HEAD as a release without committing any files. Use `create_git_tag_only` together with `tag_name` and `tagging_message`.
+
+```yaml
+name: Tag release
+
+on:
+  workflow_dispatch:
+    inputs:
+      version:
+        description: "Version to tag (e.g. v1.4.0)"
+        required: true
+
+jobs:
+  tag:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+
+      - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
+        with:
+          create_git_tag_only: true
+          tag_name: ${{ inputs.version }}
+          tagging_message: "Release ${{ inputs.version }}"
+```
+
+---
+
+## Fail the build instead of pushing changes (drift check)
+
+**Description:** Sometimes you don't want a bot to push fixes — you want to fail the build so the contributor fixes them locally. Use the `changes_detected` output as a check: run the formatter, skip branch checkout/fetch/push, and fail if anything changed.
+
+```yaml
+name: Format check
+
+on: pull_request
+
+jobs:
+  check:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: read
+
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+
+      - uses: actions/setup-node@v4
+        with:
+          node-version: 20
+
+      - run: npx prettier --write .
+
+      - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
+        id: auto-commit
+        with:
+          skip_checkout: true
+          skip_fetch: true
+          skip_push: true
+
+      - name: Fail if formatting was needed
+        if: steps.auto-commit.outputs.changes_detected == 'true'
+        run: |
+          echo "::error::Code is not formatted. Run 'npx prettier --write .' locally."
+          exit 1
+```
+
+---
+
+## Sign automated commits with GPG
+
+**Description:** If your branch protection rules require signed commits, the bot's commits need to be signed too. Import a GPG key first, then tell the Action to use the key's identity as the commit author.
+
+```yaml
+name: Format (signed)
+
+on: pull_request
+
+jobs:
+  format:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+        with:
+          ref: ${{ github.head_ref }}
+
+      - name: Import GPG key
+        id: import-gpg
+        uses: crazy-max/ghaction-import-gpg@v6
+        with:
+          gpg_private_key: ${{ secrets.GPG_PRIVATE_KEY }}
+          passphrase: ${{ secrets.GPG_PASSPHRASE }}
+          git_user_signingkey: true
+          git_commit_gpgsign: true
+
+      - run: npx prettier --write .
+
+      - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
+        with:
+          commit_message: "style: apply prettier"
+          commit_user_name: ${{ steps.import-gpg.outputs.name }}
+          commit_user_email: ${{ steps.import-gpg.outputs.email }}
+          commit_author: "${{ steps.import-gpg.outputs.name }} <${{ steps.import-gpg.outputs.email }}>"
+```
+
+See discussion [#334](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/discussions/334) for background.
+
+---
+
+## Squash automated changes into the previous commit
+
+**Description:** Avoid noisy "apply automatic changes" commits by amending the last commit instead. Useful when the bot fix is trivial and you don't want a separate entry in the history.
+
+> [!CAUTION]
+> Amending rewrites history. Only use this on branches where force-pushing is acceptable (typically PR branches, never `main`).
+
+```yaml
+name: Format (amend)
+
+on: pull_request
+
+jobs:
+  format:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+        with:
+          ref: ${{ github.head_ref }}
+          fetch-depth: 2 # need previous commit for --amend
+
+      - run: npx prettier --write .
+
+      - name: Read previous commit metadata
+        id: last
+        run: |
+          echo "message=$(git log -1 --pretty=%s)" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+          echo "author=$(git log -1 --pretty='%an <%ae>')" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+
+      - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
+        with:
+          commit_message: ${{ steps.last.outputs.message }}
+          commit_author: ${{ steps.last.outputs.author }}
+          commit_options: "--amend --no-edit"
+          push_options: "--force"
+          skip_fetch: true
+```
+
+See discussion [#159](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/issues/159#issuecomment-845347950) for details.

README.md

@@ -11,15 +11,20 @@ By default, the commit is made in the name of "GitHub Actions" and co-authored b
 
 If you want to learn more how this Action works under the hood, check out [this article](https://michaelheap.com/git-auto-commit/) by Michael Heap.
 
+If your use case is not covered by git-auto-commit, you might want to check out the following alternative Actions:
+
+- [planetscale/ghcommit-action](https://github.com/planetscale/ghcommit-action)
+- [EndBug/add-and-commit](https://github.com/EndBug/add-and-commit)
+
 ## Usage
 
 Adding git-auto-commit to your Workflow only takes a couple lines of code.
 
-1. Set the `contents`-permission of the default GITHUB_TOKEN to `true`. (Required to push new commits to the repository)
+1. Set the `contents`-permission of the default GITHUB_TOKEN to `write`. (Required to push new commits to the repository)
 2. Add the following step at the end of your job, after other steps that might add or change files.
 
 ```yaml
-- uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v5
+- uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
 ```
 
 Your Workflow should look similar to this example.
@@ -39,12 +44,17 @@ jobs:
       contents: write
 
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+        with:
+          ref: ${{ github.head_ref }}
+          # Value already defaults to true, but `persist-credentials` is required to push new commits to the repository.
+          persist-credentials: true
 
-      # Other steps that change files in the repository
+      # Other steps that change files in the repository go here
+      # …
 
       # Commit all changed files back to the repository
-      - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v5
+      - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
 ```
 
 > [!NOTE]
@@ -53,15 +63,14 @@ jobs:
 The following is an extended example with all available options.
 
 ```yaml
-- uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v5
+- uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
   with:
     # Optional. Commit message for the created commit.
     # Defaults to "Apply automatic changes"
     commit_message: Automated Change
 
-    # Optional. Local and remote branch name where commit is going to be pushed
+    # Optional. Remote branch name where commit is going to be pushed to.
-    #  to. Defaults to the current branch.
+    # Defaults to the current branch.
-    #  You might need to set `create_branch: true` if the branch does not exist.
     branch: feature-123
 
     # Optional. Options used by `git-commit`.
@@ -75,18 +84,23 @@ The following is an extended example with all available options.
     # - https://git-scm.com/docs/gitglossary#Documentation/gitglossary.txt-aiddefpathspecapathspec
     file_pattern: '*.php src/*.js tests/*.js'
 
-    # Optional. Local file path to the repository.
+    # Optional. Relative file path under $GITHUB_WORKSPACE to the repository.
     # Defaults to the root of the repository.
     repository: .
 
     # Optional commit user and author settings
     commit_user_name: My GitHub Actions Bot # defaults to "github-actions[bot]"
     commit_user_email: my-github-actions-bot@example.org # defaults to "41898282+github-actions[bot]@users.noreply.github.com"
-    commit_author: Author <actions@github.com> # defaults to "username <username@users.noreply.github.com>", where "username" belongs to the author of the commit that triggered the run
+    commit_author: Author <actions@github.com> # defaults to "username <numeric_id+username@users.noreply.github.com>", where "numeric_id" and "username" belong to the author of the commit that triggered the run
 
-    # Optional. Tag name being created in the local repository and 
+    # Optional. Tag name to be created in the local repository and
-    # pushed to remote repository and defined branch.
+    # pushed to the remote repository on the defined branch.
-    tagging_message: 'v1.0.0'
+    # If only one of `tag_name` or `tagging_message` is provided, the value of the provided field will be used for both tag name and message.
+    tag_name: 'v1.0.0'
+
+    # Optional. Message to annotate the created tag with.
+    # If only one of `tag_name` or `tagging_message` is provided, the value of the provided field will be used for both tag name and message.
+    tagging_message: 'Codename "Sunshine"'
 
     # Optional. Option used by `git-status` to determine if the repository is
     # dirty. See https://git-scm.com/docs/git-status#_options
@@ -109,12 +123,37 @@ The following is an extended example with all available options.
     # Optional. Skip internal call to `git checkout`
     skip_checkout: true
 
+    # Optional. Skip internal call to `git push`
+    skip_push: true
+
     # Optional. Prevents the shell from expanding filenames.
     # Details: https://www.gnu.org/software/bash/manual/html_node/Filename-Expansion.html
     disable_globbing: true
 
     # Optional. Create given branch name in local and remote repository.
     create_branch: true
+
+    # Optional. Creates a new tag and pushes it to remote without creating a commit.
+    # Skips dirty check and changed files. Must be used in combination with `tag` and `tagging_message`.
+    create_git_tag_only: false
+
+    # Optional. Suppress the security warning emitted when the action runs on a
+    # `pull_request_target` event. See the "Workflow should run in **base** repository"
+    # section below for context before disabling this warning.
+    disable_pull_request_target_trigger_warning: false
+
+    # Optional. Shell snippets to run around each git operation. Each hook
+    # is evaluated in the same bash process as the action — `set -eu` is
+    # in effect, the working directory is your repository, and all
+    # `INPUT_*` env vars are visible. A non-zero exit aborts the action.
+    before_add_hook: ''
+    after_add_hook: ''
+    before_commit_hook: ''
+    after_commit_hook: ''
+    before_tag_hook: ''
+    after_tag_hook: ''
+    before_push_hook: ''
+    after_push_hook: ''
 ```
 
 Please note that the Action depends on `bash`. If you're using the Action in a job in combination with a custom Docker container, make sure that `bash` is installed.
@@ -144,18 +183,20 @@ jobs:
       contents: write
 
     steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       with:
         ref: ${{ github.head_ref }}
 
     - name: Run php-cs-fixer
       uses: docker://oskarstark/php-cs-fixer-ga
 
-    - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v5
+    - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
       with:
         commit_message: Apply php-cs-fixer changes
 ```
 
+See [EXAMPLES.md](EXAMPLES.md) for more scenarios, including auto-formatting, dependency updates, generated docs, release tagging, drift checks, and GPG-signed commits.
+
 ## Inputs
 
 Checkout [`action.yml`](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/blob/master/action.yml) for a full list of supported inputs.
@@ -166,13 +207,14 @@ You can use these outputs to trigger other Actions in your Workflow run based on
 
 - `changes_detected`: Returns either "true" or "false" if the repository was dirty and files have changed.
 - `commit_hash`: Returns the full hash of the commit if one was created.
+- `create_git_tag_only`: Returns either "true" or "false" if a tag was created, when `create_git_tag_only` was used.
 
 **⚠️ When using outputs, the step needs to be given an id. See example below.**
 
 ### Example
 
 ```yaml
-  - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v5
+  - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
     id: auto-commit-action #mandatory for the output to show up in ${{ steps }}
     with:
       commit_message: Apply php-cs-fixer changes
@@ -186,6 +228,87 @@ You can use these outputs to trigger other Actions in your Workflow run based on
     run: echo "No Changes!"
 ```
 
+## Hooks
+
+git-auto-commit can run custom shell snippets around each git operation
+it performs. This is useful when you need to prepare or clean up the
+repository as part of the same step — for example, unshallowing a
+shallow clone right before the commit is staged.
+
+Eight optional hooks are available:
+
+| Hook | Runs |
+| ---- | ---- |
+| `before_add_hook` / `after_add_hook` | around `git add` |
+| `before_commit_hook` / `after_commit_hook` | around `git commit` |
+| `before_tag_hook` / `after_tag_hook` | around `git tag` (only when a tag is being created) |
+| `before_push_hook` / `after_push_hook` | around `git push` (skipped when `skip_push: true`) |
+
+Each hook is an inline shell snippet that runs in the same bash process
+as the action. The working directory is your repository, and all
+`INPUT_*` environment variables and standard GitHub Actions env vars are
+visible to the snippet.
+
+### Example
+
+```yaml
+- uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
+  with:
+    before_add_hook: |
+      git fetch --unshallow
+```
+
+Multi-line snippets work via YAML's `|` block scalar:
+
+```yaml
+- uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
+  with:
+    before_commit_hook: |
+      echo "About to commit at $(date)"
+      ./scripts/prepare-commit.sh
+```
+
+### Notes
+
+- A hook only runs when its underlying step actually runs. For example,
+  `before_add_hook`/`after_add_hook` are skipped when the working tree is clean,
+  and `before_push_hook`/`after_push_hook` are skipped when `skip_push: true`.
+- If a hook exits with a non-zero status, the action fails. Append
+  `|| true` to a snippet to ignore its failure.
+- Hooks share environment with the action, so they can read action
+  inputs (e.g. `$INPUT_COMMIT_MESSAGE`) and write to `$GITHUB_OUTPUT`.
+- Snippets run under `set -eu`. Referencing an unset variable aborts the
+  action; use `${VAR:-}` to default an optional variable to empty.
+
+### Security
+
+Hook snippets are evaluated as shell code in the same process as the
+action. Treat them as you would any `run:` step.
+
+> [!CAUTION]
+> **Do not combine hooks with the `pull_request_target` event when the
+> snippet references attacker-controlled GitHub context.** Fields like
+> `${{ github.event.pull_request.title }}`, `${{ github.event.pull_request.body }}`,
+> `${{ github.head_ref }}`, and commit messages from a fork are
+> interpolated into the snippet **before** bash sees it. A malicious PR
+> can inject shell commands that run on your runner with access to your
+> repository secrets. See the [`pull_request_target` section](#workflow-should-run-in-base-repository)
+> for the broader risk and [GitHub's script-injection guidance](https://docs.github.com/en/actions/security-guides/security-hardening-for-github-actions#understanding-the-risk-of-script-injections).
+
+If you need values from PR-controlled context inside a hook, pass them
+via an intermediate env var rather than interpolating them directly into
+the snippet:
+
+```yaml
+- uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
+  env:
+    PR_TITLE: ${{ github.event.pull_request.title }}
+  with:
+    before_commit_hook: |
+      # $PR_TITLE is read as data, not evaluated as code
+      echo "PR: $PR_TITLE"
+```
+
 ## Limitations & Gotchas
 
 The goal of this Action is to be "the Action for committing files for the 80% use case". Therefore, you might run into issues if your Workflow falls into the not supported 20% portion.
@@ -204,11 +327,11 @@ If this Action doesn't work for your workflow, check out [EndBug/add-and-commit]
 
 ### Checkout the correct branch
 
-You must use `action/checkout@v2` or later versions to check out the repository.
+You must use `actions/checkout@v2` or later versions to check out the repository.
 In non-`push` events, such as `pull_request`, make sure to specify the `ref` to check out:
 
 ```yaml
-- uses: actions/checkout@v4
+- uses: actions/checkout@v5
   with:
     ref: ${{ github.head_ref }}
 ```
@@ -226,14 +349,21 @@ You can change this by creating a new [Personal Access Token (PAT)](https://gith
 storing the token as a secret in your repository and then passing the new token to the [`actions/checkout`](https://github.com/actions/checkout#usage) Action step.
 
 ```yaml
-- uses: actions/checkout@v4
+- uses: actions/checkout@v5
   with:
     token: ${{ secrets.PAT }}
 ```
 
-If you create a personal access token, apply the `repo` and `workflow` scopes.
+If you create a personal access token (classic), apply the `repo` and `workflow` scopes.
+If you create a fine-grained personal access token, apply the `Contents`-permissions.
 
-If you work in an organization and don't want to create a PAT from your personal account, we recommend using a [robot account](https://docs.github.com/en/github/getting-started-with-github/types-of-github-accounts) for the token.
+If you work in an organization and don't want to create a PAT from your personal account, we recommend using a [robot account](https://docs.github.com/en/get-started/learning-about-github/types-of-github-accounts) for the token.
+
+### Prevent Infinite Loop when using a Personal Access Token
+
+If you're using a Personal Access Token (PAT) to push commits to GitHub repository, the resulting commit or push can trigger other GitHub Actions workflows. This can result in an infinite loop.
+
+If you would like to prevent this, you can add `skip-checks:true` to the commit message. See [Skipping workflow runs](https://docs.github.com/en/actions/how-tos/manage-workflow-runs/skip-workflow-runs) for details.
 
 ### Change to file is not detected
 
@@ -245,7 +375,7 @@ Does your workflow change a file, but "git-auto-commit" does not detect the chan
 
 If your commit message should span multiple lines, you have to create a separate step to generate the string.
 
-The example below can be used as a starting point to generate a multiline commit meesage. Learn more how multiline strings in GitHub Actions work in the [GitHub documentation](https://docs.github.com/en/actions/using-workflows/workflow-commands-for-github-actions#multiline-strings).
+The example below can be used as a starting point to generate a multiline commit meesage. Learn more how multiline strings in GitHub Actions work in the [GitHub documentation](https://docs.github.com/en/actions/reference/workflows-and-actions/workflow-commands#multiline-strings).
 
 ```yaml
     # Building a multiline commit message
@@ -265,29 +395,51 @@ The example below can be used as a starting point to generate a multiline commit
     # Quick and dirty step to get rid of the temporary file holding the commit message
     - run: rm -rf commitmessage.txt
 
-    - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v5
+    - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
       id: commit
       with:
         commit_message: ${{ steps.commit_message_step.outputs.commit_message }}
 ```
 
-### Signing Commits & Other Git Command Line Options
+### Signing Commits
 
-Using command lines options needs to be done manually for each workflow which you require the option enabled. So for example signing commits requires you to import the gpg signature each and every time. The following list of actions are worth checking out if you need to automate these tasks regularly.
+If you would like to sign your commits using a GPG key, you will need to use an additional action.
+You can use the [crazy-max/ghaction-import-gpg](https://github.com/crazy-max/ghaction-import-gpg) action and follow its setup instructions.
 
-- [Import GPG Signature](https://github.com/crazy-max/ghaction-import-gpg) (Suggested by [TGTGamer](https://github.com/tgtgamer))
+As git-auto-commit by default does not use **your** username and email when creating a commit, you have to override these values in your workflow.
+
+```yml
+- name: "Import GPG key"
+  id: import-gpg
+  uses: crazy-max/ghaction-import-gpg@v6
+  with:
+    gpg_private_key: ${{ secrets.GPG_PRIVATE_KEY }}
+    passphrase: ${{ secrets.GPG_PASSPHRASE }}
+    git_user_signingkey: true
+    git_commit_gpgsign: true
+
+- name: "Commit and push changes"
+  uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
+  with:
+     commit_author: "${{ steps.import-gpg.outputs.name }} <${{ steps.import-gpg.outputs.email }}>"
+     commit_user_name: ${{ steps.import-gpg.outputs.name }}
+     commit_user_email: ${{ steps.import-gpg.outputs.email }}
+```
+
+See discussion [#334](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/discussions/334) for details.
 
 ### Use in forks from private repositories
 
+
 By default, GitHub Actions doesn't run Workflows on forks from **private** repositories. To enable Actions for **private** repositories enable "Run workflows from pull requests" in your repository settings.
 
-See [this announcement from GitHub](https://github.blog/2020-08-03-github-actions-improvements-for-fork-and-pull-request-workflows/) or the [GitHub docs](https://docs.github.com/en/github/administering-a-repository/disabling-or-limiting-github-actions-for-a-repository#enabling-workflows-for-private-repository-forks) for details.
+See [this announcement from GitHub](https://github.blog/2020-08-03-github-actions-improvements-for-fork-and-pull-request-workflows/) or the [GitHub docs](https://docs.github.com/en/repositories/managing-your-repositorys-settings-and-features/enabling-features-for-your-repository/managing-github-actions-settings-for-a-repository#enabling-workflows-for-private-repository-forks) for details.
 
 
 ### Use in forks from public repositories
 
 > [!NOTE] 
-> This Action technically works with forks. However, please note that the combination of triggers and their options can cause issues. Please read [the documentation](https://docs.github.com/en/free-pro-team@latest/actions/reference/events-that-trigger-workflows) on which triggers GitHub Actions support.\
+> This Action technically works with forks. However, please note that the combination of triggers and their options can cause issues. Please read [the documentation](https://docs.github.com/en/actions/reference/workflows-and-actions/events-that-trigger-workflows) on which triggers GitHub Actions support.\
 > Ensure your contributors enable "Allow edits by maintainers" when opening a pull request. ([Learn more](https://docs.github.com/en/pull-requests/collaborating-with-pull-requests/working-with-forks/allowing-changes-to-a-pull-request-branch-created-from-a-fork)) \
 > \
 > **If you use this Action in combination with a linter/fixer, it's easier if you run the Action on `push` on your `main`-branch.**
@@ -296,17 +448,22 @@ See [this announcement from GitHub](https://github.blog/2020-08-03-github-action
 > Due to limitations of GitHub, this Action currently can't push commits to a base repository, if the fork _lives_ under an organisation. See [github/community#6634](https://github.com/orgs/community/discussions/5634) and [this comment](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/issues/211#issuecomment-1428849944) for details.
 
 By default, this Action will not run on Pull Requests which have been opened by forks. (This is a limitation by GitHub, not by us.)
-However, there are a couple of ways to use this Actions in Workflows that should be triggered by forked repositories.
+However, there are a couple of ways to use this Action in Workflows that should be triggered by forked repositories.
 
 ### Workflow should run in **base** repository
 
 > [!CAUTION]
 > The following section explains how you can use git-auto-commit in combination with the `pull_request_target` trigger.
 > **Using `pull_request_target` in your workflows can lead to repository compromise as [mentioned](https://securitylab.github.com/research/github-actions-preventing-pwn-requests/) by GitHub's own security team. This means, that a bad actor could potentially leak/steal your GitHub Actions repository secrets.**
-> Please be aware of this risk when using `pull_request_target` in your workflows.
+> Please be aware of this risk when using `pull_request_target` in your workflows. See [GitHub's documentation](https://docs.github.com/en/actions/reference/security/securely-using-pull_request_target) for more information.
 >
 > If your workflow runs code-fixing tools, consider running the workflow on your default branch by listening to the `push` event or use a third-party tool like [autofix.ci](https://autofix.ci/).
 > We keep this documentation around, as many questions came in over the years, on how to use this action for public forks.
+>
+> To remind users of this risk, git-auto-commit emits a warning annotation whenever it detects it is running on a `pull_request_target` event.
+> If you have evaluated the risk and want to silence the warning, set the `disable_pull_request_target_trigger_warning` input to `true`.
+>
+> **Extra caution if you also use [hooks](#hooks):** hook snippets are evaluated as shell code. Interpolating attacker-controlled fields (PR title/body, branch name, fork commit messages, etc.) directly into a hook input on a `pull_request_target` workflow lets a malicious PR run arbitrary commands on your runner with access to your secrets. Pass such values through an `env:` block and reference them as `$VARS` inside the snippet — see the [Security note in the Hooks section](#security) for an example.
 
 The workflow below runs whenever a commit is pushed to the `main`-branch or when activity on a pull request happens, by listening to the [`pull_request_target`](https://docs.github.com/en/actions/using-workflows/events-that-trigger-workflows#pull_request_target) event.
 
@@ -331,7 +488,7 @@ jobs:
       contents: write
 
     steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       with:
         # Checkout the fork/head-repository and push changes to the fork.
         # If you skip this, the base repository will be checked out and changes
@@ -345,7 +502,7 @@ jobs:
     - name: Run php-cs-fixer
       uses: docker://oskarstark/php-cs-fixer-ga
 
-    - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v5
+    - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
 ```
 
 For more information about running Actions on forks, see [this announcement from GitHub](https://github.blog/2020-08-03-github-actions-improvements-for-fork-and-pull-request-workflows/).
@@ -367,7 +524,7 @@ Finally, you have to use `push_options: '--force'` to overwrite the git history
 The steps in your workflow might look like this:
 
 ```yaml
-- uses: actions/checkout@4
+- uses: actions/checkout@v4
   with:
     # Fetch the last 2 commits instead of just 1. (Fetching just 1 commit would overwrite the whole history)
     fetch-depth: 2
@@ -380,7 +537,7 @@ The steps in your workflow might look like this:
     echo "message=$(git log -1 --pretty=%s)" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
     echo "author=$(git log -1 --pretty=\"%an <%ae>\")" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
 
-- uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v5
+- uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
   with:
     commit_author: ${{ steps.last-commit.outputs.author }}
     commit_message: ${{ steps.last-commit.outputs.message }}
@@ -392,6 +549,7 @@ The steps in your workflow might look like this:
 See discussion in [#159](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/issues/159#issuecomment-845347950) for details.
 
 ## Troubleshooting
+
 ### Action does not push commit to repository
 
 Make sure to [checkout the correct branch](#checkout-the-correct-branch).
@@ -401,29 +559,45 @@ Make sure to [checkout the correct branch](#checkout-the-correct-branch).
 If your Workflow can't push the commit to the repository because of authentication issues,
 please update your Workflow configuration and usage of [`actions/checkout`](https://github.com/actions/checkout#usage).
 
-Updating the `token` value with a Personal Access Token should fix your issues.
+Please note that `persist-credentials` in `actions/checkout` must be set to `true` to push new commits to the repository.
+
+If you still can't push the commit, and you're using branch protection rules or similar features, updating the `token` value with a Personal Access Token should fix your issues.
+
+### git-auto-commit fails to push commit that creates or updates files in `.github/workflows/`
+
+The default `GITHUB_TOKEN` issued by GitHub Action does not have permission to make changes to workflow files located in `.github/workflows/`.
+To fix this, please create a personal access token (PAT) and pass the token to the `actions/checkout`-step in your workflow. (Similar to [how to push to protected branches](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action?tab=readme-ov-file#push-to-protected-branches)).
+
+If a PAT does not work for you, you could also create a new GitHub app and use its token in your workflows. See [this comment in #87](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/issues/87#issuecomment-1939138661) for details.
+
+See [#322](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/issues/322) for details and discussions around this topic.
 
 ### Push to protected branches
 
-If your repository uses [protected branches](https://help.github.com/en/github/administering-a-repository/configuring-protected-branches) you have to make some changes to your Workflow for the Action to work properly: You need a Personal Access Token and you either have to allow force pushes or the Personal Access Token needs to belong to an Administrator.
+If your repository uses [protected branches](https://docs.github.com/en/repositories/configuring-branches-and-merges-in-your-repository/managing-protected-branches/about-protected-branches) you have to make some changes to your Workflow for the Action to work properly: You need a Personal Access Token and you either have to allow force pushes or the Personal Access Token needs to belong to an Administrator.
 
 First, you have to create a new [Personal Access Token (PAT)](https://github.com/settings/tokens/new),
 store the token as a secret in your repository and pass the new token to the [`actions/checkout`](https://github.com/actions/checkout#usage) Action step.
 
+If you create a personal access token (classic), apply the `repo` and `workflow` scopes.
+If you create a fine-grained personal access token, apply the `Contents`-permissions.
+
 ```yaml
-- uses: actions/checkout@v4
+- uses: actions/checkout@v5
   with:
-    token: ${{ secrets.PAT }}
+    # We pass the "PAT" secret to the checkout action; if no PAT secret is available to the workflow runner (eg. Dependabot) we fall back to the default "GITHUB_TOKEN".
+    token: ${{ secrets.PAT || secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
 ```
-You can learn more about Personal Access Token in the [GitHub documentation](https://docs.github.com/en/github/authenticating-to-github/creating-a-personal-access-token).
+You can learn more about Personal Access Token in the [GitHub documentation](https://docs.github.com/en/authentication/keeping-your-account-and-data-secure/managing-your-personal-access-tokens).
+
 
 > [!TIP]
 > If you're working in an organisation, and you don't want to create the PAT from your personal account, we recommend using a bot-account for such tokens.
 
-If you go the "force pushes" route, you have to enable force pushes to a protected branch (see [documentation](https://help.github.com/en/github/administering-a-repository/enabling-force-pushes-to-a-protected-branch)) and update your Workflow to use force push like this.
+If you go the "force pushes" route, you have to enable force pushes to a protected branch (see [documentation](https://docs.github.com/en/github/administering-a-repository/enabling-force-pushes-to-a-protected-branch)) and update your Workflow to use force push like this.
 
 ```yaml
-    - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v5
+    - uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
       with:
         commit_message: Apply php-cs-fixer changes
         push_options: --force
@@ -443,7 +617,7 @@ See [Issue #227](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/issues/
 
 ### Custom `file_pattern`, changed files but seeing "Working tree clean. Nothing to commit." in the logs
 
-If you're using a custom `file_pattern` and the Action does not detect the changes made in your worfklow, you're probably running into a globbing issue.
+If you're using a custom `file_pattern` and the Action does not detect the changes made in your workflow, you're probably running into a globbing issue.
 
 Let's imagine you use `file_pattern: '*.md'` to detect and commit changes to all Markdown files in your repository.
 If your Workflow now only updates `.md`-files in a subdirectory, but you have an untouched `.md`-file in the root of the repository, the git-auto-commit Action will display "Working tree clean. Nothing to commit." in the Workflow log.
@@ -453,7 +627,7 @@ This is due to the fact, that the `*.md`-glob is expanded before sending it to `
 To fix this add `disable_globbing: true` to your Workflow.
 
 ```yaml
-- uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v5
+- uses: stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7
   with:
     file_pattern: '*.md'
     disable_globbing: true
@@ -479,10 +653,10 @@ yarn test
 
 ## Versioning
 
-We use [SemVer](http://semver.org/) for versioning. For the versions available, see the [tags on this repository](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/tags).
+We use [SemVer](https://semver.org/) for versioning. For the versions available, see the [tags on this repository](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/tags).
 
-We also provide major version tags to make it easier to always use the latest release of a major version. For example, you can use `stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v5` to always use the latest release of the current major version.
+We also provide major version tags to make it easier to always use the latest release of a major version. For example, you can use `stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action@v7` to always use the latest release of the current major version.
-(More information about this [here](https://help.github.com/en/actions/building-actions/about-actions#versioning-your-action).)
+(More information about this [here](https://docs.github.com/en/actions/building-actions/about-actions#versioning-your-action).)
 
 ## Credits
 

UPGRADING.md

@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+# Upgrading
+
+## From v6 to v7
+
+The previously removed options `create_branch`, `skip_fetch`, and `skip_checkout` have been reintroduced in git-auto-commit v7. If you had removed these options from your workflows when upgrading to v6, you can now add them back if needed.
+
+Tagging a commit has been reworked. In addition to the existing `tagging_message`-option, a new `tag_name` option has been added. If you were using `tagging_message`, you can continue to do so, but if you want to specify a custom tag name and tag message, you can now use the `tag_name` and `tagging_message` options.
+
+(Specifying a `tagging_message` without a `tag_name` will create a tag with the name and message both set to the value of `tagging_message`.)
+
+## From v5 to v6
+
+The following options have been removed from git-auto-commit and can be removed from your workflows.
+
+- `create_branch` (git-auto-commit no longer switches branches locally during a workflow run)
+- `skip_fetch`
+- `skip_checkout`
+

action.yml

@@ -25,11 +25,11 @@ inputs:
     required: false
     default: ''
   file_pattern:
-    description: File pattern used for `git add`. For example `src/*.js`
+    description: File pattern used for `git add` and the dirty-check (`git status`). Supports multiple space-separated patterns. For example `src/*.js`
     required: false
     default: '.'
   repository:
-    description: Local file path to the git repository. Defaults to the current directory (`.`)
+    description: Relative file path under $GITHUB_WORKSPACE to the git repository. Defaults to the current directory (`.`)
     required: false
     default: '.'
   commit_user_name:
@@ -43,9 +43,13 @@ inputs:
   commit_author:
     description: Value used for the commit author. Defaults to the username of whoever triggered this workflow run.
     required: false
-    default: ${{ github.actor }} <${{ github.actor }}@users.noreply.github.com>
+    default: ${{ github.actor }} <${{ github.actor_id }}+${{ github.actor }}@users.noreply.github.com>
+  tag_name:
+    description: Tag name used for creating a new git tag with the commit. Keep this empty, if no tag should be created.
+    required: false
+    default: ''
   tagging_message:
-    description: Message used to create a new git tag with the commit. Keep this empty, if no tag should be created.
+    description: Tagging message used for creating a new git tag with the commit. Keep this empty, if no tag should be created.
     required: false
     default: ''
   push_options:
@@ -64,24 +68,74 @@ inputs:
     description: Skip the call to git-checkout.
     required: false
     default: false
+  skip_push:
+    description: Skip the call to git-push.
+    required: false
+    default: false
   disable_globbing:
     description: Stop the shell from expanding filenames (https://www.gnu.org/software/bash/manual/html_node/Filename-Expansion.html)
+    required: false
     default: false
   create_branch:
     description: Create new branch with the name of `branch`-input in local and remote repository, if it doesn't exist yet.
+    required: false
+    default: false
+  create_git_tag_only:
+    description: Perform a clean git tag and push, without commiting anything
+    required: false
+    default: false
+  before_add_hook:
+    description: Shell snippet to run before `git add`.
+    required: false
+    default: ''
+  after_add_hook:
+    description: Shell snippet to run after `git add`.
+    required: false
+    default: ''
+  before_commit_hook:
+    description: Shell snippet to run before `git commit`.
+    required: false
+    default: ''
+  after_commit_hook:
+    description: Shell snippet to run after `git commit`.
+    required: false
+    default: ''
+  before_tag_hook:
+    description: Shell snippet to run before `git tag` is created.
+    required: false
+    default: ''
+  after_tag_hook:
+    description: Shell snippet to run after `git tag` is created.
+    required: false
+    default: ''
+  before_push_hook:
+    description: Shell snippet to run before `git push`.
+    required: false
+    default: ''
+  after_push_hook:
+    description: Shell snippet to run after `git push`.
+    required: false
+    default: ''
+  disable_pull_request_target_trigger_warning:
+    description: Suppress the security warning emitted when the action runs on a `pull_request_target` event.
+    required: false
     default: false
   internal_git_binary:
     description: Internal use only! Path to git binary used to check if git is available. (Don't change this!)
+    required: false
     default: git
 
+
 outputs:
   changes_detected:
-    description: Value is "true", if the repository was dirty and file changes have been detected. Value is "false", if no changes have been detected.
+    description: Value is "true" if matching changes were detected and committed. Value is "false" if no matching changes were detected or only CRLF changes were staged. Not set in `create_git_tag_only` mode.
   commit_hash:
-    description: Full hash of the created commit. Only present if the "changes_detected" output is "true".
+    description: Full hash of the created commit. Only set when a commit was actually made (i.e. `changes_detected` is "true").
+  create_git_tag_only:
+    description: Set to "true" when the action ran in `create_git_tag_only` mode. Never set to "false".
 
 runs:
-  using: 'node20'
+  using: 'node24'
   main: 'index.js'
 
 branding:

entrypoint.sh

@@ -26,29 +26,80 @@ _log() {
     echo "::$level::$message";
 }
 
+_run_hook() {
+    local name=${1}
+    local snippet=${2:-}
+
+    if [ -n "$snippet" ]; then
+        _log "debug" "Running $name";
+        eval "$snippet"
+    fi
+}
+
 _main() {
     _check_if_git_is_available
 
     _switch_to_repository
 
-    if _git_is_dirty || "$INPUT_SKIP_DIRTY_CHECK"; then
+    _check_if_is_git_repository
+
+    _check_if_repository_is_in_detached_state
+
+    _check_for_pull_request_target_trigger
+
+    if "$INPUT_CREATE_GIT_TAG_ONLY"; then
+        _log "debug" "Create git tag only";
+        _set_github_output "create_git_tag_only" "true"
+
+        if [ -n "$INPUT_TAG_NAME" ] || [ -n "$INPUT_TAGGING_MESSAGE" ]; then
+            _run_hook "before_tag_hook" "$INPUT_BEFORE_TAG_HOOK"
+            _tag_commit
+            _run_hook "after_tag_hook" "$INPUT_AFTER_TAG_HOOK"
+        else
+            _tag_commit
+        fi
+
+        if ! "$INPUT_SKIP_PUSH"; then
+            _run_hook "before_push_hook" "$INPUT_BEFORE_PUSH_HOOK"
+        fi
+        _push_to_github
+        if ! "$INPUT_SKIP_PUSH"; then
+            _run_hook "after_push_hook" "$INPUT_AFTER_PUSH_HOOK"
+        fi
+    elif _git_is_dirty || "$INPUT_SKIP_DIRTY_CHECK"; then
 
         _set_github_output "changes_detected" "true"
 
         _switch_to_branch
 
+        _run_hook "before_add_hook" "$INPUT_BEFORE_ADD_HOOK"
         _add_files
+        _run_hook "after_add_hook" "$INPUT_AFTER_ADD_HOOK"
 
         # Check dirty state of repo again using git-diff.
         # (git-diff detects better if CRLF of files changes and does NOT
         # proceed, if only CRLF changes are detected. See #241 and #265
         # for more details.)
         if [ -n "$(git diff --staged)" ] || "$INPUT_SKIP_DIRTY_CHECK"; then
+            _run_hook "before_commit_hook" "$INPUT_BEFORE_COMMIT_HOOK"
             _local_commit
+            _run_hook "after_commit_hook" "$INPUT_AFTER_COMMIT_HOOK"
 
-            _tag_commit
+            if [ -n "$INPUT_TAG_NAME" ] || [ -n "$INPUT_TAGGING_MESSAGE" ]; then
+                _run_hook "before_tag_hook" "$INPUT_BEFORE_TAG_HOOK"
+                _tag_commit
+                _run_hook "after_tag_hook" "$INPUT_AFTER_TAG_HOOK"
+            else
+                _tag_commit
+            fi
 
+            if ! "$INPUT_SKIP_PUSH"; then
+                _run_hook "before_push_hook" "$INPUT_BEFORE_PUSH_HOOK"
+            fi
             _push_to_github
+            if ! "$INPUT_SKIP_PUSH"; then
+                _run_hook "after_push_hook" "$INPUT_AFTER_PUSH_HOOK"
+            fi
         else
             _set_github_output "changes_detected" "false"
 
@@ -86,11 +137,35 @@ _git_is_dirty() {
     gitStatusMessage="$((git status -s $INPUT_STATUS_OPTIONS -- ${INPUT_FILE_PATTERN_EXPANDED:+${INPUT_FILE_PATTERN_EXPANDED[@]}} >/dev/null ) 2>&1)";
     # shellcheck disable=SC2086
     gitStatus="$(git status -s $INPUT_STATUS_OPTIONS -- ${INPUT_FILE_PATTERN_EXPANDED:+${INPUT_FILE_PATTERN_EXPANDED[@]}})";
-    if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
+    [ -n "$gitStatus" ]
-        _log "error" "git-status failed with:<$gitStatusMessage>";
+}
+
+_check_if_is_git_repository() {
+    if [ -d ".git" ]; then
+        _log "debug" "Repository found.";
+    else
+        _log "error" "Not a git repository. Please make sure to run this action in a git repository. Adjust the `repository` input if necessary.";
         exit 1;
     fi
-    [ -n "$gitStatus" ]
+}
+
+_check_for_pull_request_target_trigger() {
+    if "$INPUT_DISABLE_PULL_REQUEST_TARGET_TRIGGER_WARNING"; then
+        return
+    fi
+
+    if [ "${GITHUB_EVENT_NAME:-}" = "pull_request_target" ]; then
+        _log "warning" "git-auto-commit is running on a 'pull_request_target' event. This trigger can be a security risk: a malicious pull request could potentially exfiltrate your repository secrets. See https://docs.github.com/en/actions/reference/security/securely-using-pull_request_target and the 'pull_request_target' section in the git-auto-commit README (https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action#using-the-action-in-a-pull_request_target-workflow) for safer usage. Set 'disable_pull_request_target_trigger_warning: true' to suppress this warning.";
+    fi
+}
+
+_check_if_repository_is_in_detached_state() {
+    if [ -z "$(git symbolic-ref HEAD)" ]
+    then
+        _log "warning" "Repository is in a detached HEAD state. git-auto-commit will likely handle this automatically. To avoid it, check out a branch using the ref option in actions/checkout.";
+    else
+        _log "debug" "Repository is on a branch.";
+    fi
 }
 
 _switch_to_branch() {
@@ -100,6 +175,7 @@ _switch_to_branch() {
     if "$INPUT_SKIP_FETCH"; then
         _log "debug" "git-fetch will not be executed.";
     else
+        _log "debug" "git-fetch will be executed.";
         git fetch --depth=1;
     fi
 
@@ -107,6 +183,7 @@ _switch_to_branch() {
     if "$INPUT_SKIP_CHECKOUT"; then
         _log "debug" "git-checkout will not be executed.";
     else
+        _log "debug" "git-checkout will be executed.";
         # Create new local branch if `create_branch`-input is true
         if "$INPUT_CREATE_BRANCH"; then
             # shellcheck disable=SC2086
@@ -151,18 +228,27 @@ _local_commit() {
 }
 
 _tag_commit() {
+    echo "INPUT_TAG_NAME: ${INPUT_TAG_NAME}"
     echo "INPUT_TAGGING_MESSAGE: ${INPUT_TAGGING_MESSAGE}"
 
-    if [ -n "$INPUT_TAGGING_MESSAGE" ]
+    if [ -n "$INPUT_TAG_NAME" ] || [ -n "$INPUT_TAGGING_MESSAGE" ]; then
-    then
+        INTERNAL_TAG=${INPUT_TAG_NAME:-$INPUT_TAGGING_MESSAGE}
-        _log "debug" "Create tag $INPUT_TAGGING_MESSAGE";
+        INTERNAL_TAGGING_MESSAGE=${INPUT_TAGGING_MESSAGE:-$INPUT_TAG_NAME}
-        git -c user.name="$INPUT_COMMIT_USER_NAME" -c user.email="$INPUT_COMMIT_USER_EMAIL" tag -a "$INPUT_TAGGING_MESSAGE" -m "$INPUT_TAGGING_MESSAGE";
+
+        _log "debug" "Create tag $INTERNAL_TAG: $INTERNAL_TAGGING_MESSAGE"
+        git -c user.name="$INPUT_COMMIT_USER_NAME" -c user.email="$INPUT_COMMIT_USER_EMAIL" tag -a "$INTERNAL_TAG" -m "$INTERNAL_TAGGING_MESSAGE"
     else
-        echo "No tagging message supplied. No tag will be added.";
+        echo "Neither tag nor tag message is set. No tag will be added.";
     fi
 }
 
 _push_to_github() {
+    if "$INPUT_SKIP_PUSH"; then
+        _log "debug" "git-push will not be executed.";
+        return
+    fi
+
+    echo "INPUT_BRANCH value: $INPUT_BRANCH";
 
     echo "INPUT_PUSH_OPTIONS: ${INPUT_PUSH_OPTIONS}";
     _log "debug" "Apply push options ${INPUT_PUSH_OPTIONS}";
@@ -172,8 +258,8 @@ _push_to_github() {
 
     if [ -z "$INPUT_BRANCH" ]
     then
-        # Only add `--tags` option, if `$INPUT_TAGGING_MESSAGE` is set
+        # Only add `--tags` option, if `$INPUT_TAG_NAME` or `$INPUT_TAGGING_MESSAGE` is set
-        if [ -n "$INPUT_TAGGING_MESSAGE" ]
+        if [ -n "$INPUT_TAG_NAME" ] || [ -n "$INPUT_TAGGING_MESSAGE" ]
         then
             _log "debug" "git push origin --tags";
             git push origin --follow-tags --atomic ${INPUT_PUSH_OPTIONS:+"${INPUT_PUSH_OPTIONS_ARRAY[@]}"};

package-lock.json

@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+{
+  "name": "git-auto-commit-action",
+  "lockfileVersion": 3,
+  "requires": true,
+  "packages": {
+    "": {
+      "devDependencies": {
+        "bats": "^1.13.0",
+        "bats-assert": "ztombol/bats-assert",
+        "bats-support": "ztombol/bats-support"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/bats": {
+      "version": "1.13.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/bats/-/bats-1.13.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-giSYKGTOcPZyJDbfbTtzAedLcNWdjCLbXYU3/MwPnjyvDXzu6Dgw8d2M+8jHhZXSmsCMSQqCp+YBsJ603UO4vQ==",
+      "dev": true,
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "bin": {
+        "bats": "bin/bats"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/bats-assert": {
+      "version": "0.3.0",
+      "resolved": "git+ssh://git@github.com/ztombol/bats-assert.git#9f88b4207da750093baabc4e3f41bf68f0dd3630",
+      "dev": true,
+      "peerDependencies": {
+        "bats-support": "git+https://github.com/ztombol/bats-support.git#v0.2.0"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/bats-support": {
+      "version": "0.3.0",
+      "resolved": "git+ssh://git@github.com/ztombol/bats-support.git#004e707638eedd62e0481e8cdc9223ad471f12ee",
+      "dev": true
+    }
+  }
+}

package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "devDependencies": {
-    "bats": "^1.11.0",
+    "bats": "^1.13.0",
     "bats-assert": "ztombol/bats-assert",
     "bats-support": "ztombol/bats-support"
   },

yarn.lock

@@ -1,16 +0,0 @@
-# THIS IS AN AUTOGENERATED FILE. DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE DIRECTLY.
-# yarn lockfile v1
-
-
-bats-assert@ztombol/bats-assert:
-  version "0.3.0"
-  resolved "https://codeload.github.com/ztombol/bats-assert/tar.gz/9f88b4207da750093baabc4e3f41bf68f0dd3630"
-
-bats-support@ztombol/bats-support:
-  version "0.3.0"
-  resolved "https://codeload.github.com/ztombol/bats-support/tar.gz/004e707638eedd62e0481e8cdc9223ad471f12ee"
-
-bats@^1.11.0:
-  version "1.11.0"
-  resolved "https://registry.yarnpkg.com/bats/-/bats-1.11.0.tgz#40281f021f5befcc10da54ed5674aa5b181f4953"
-  integrity sha512-qiKdnS4ID3bJ1MaEOKuZe12R4w+t+psJF0ICj+UdkiHBBoObPMHv8xmD3w6F4a5qwUyZUHS+413lxENBNy8xcQ==