Cache dependencies and build layers to speed pipelines

Cache dependencies and build layers to speed pipelines | BeforeMerge Rules | BeforeMerge

Why this matters

Fast feedback keeps developers in flow. Caching dependencies and Docker layers — keyed on the lockfile hash so the cache invalidates correctly — cuts pipeline time dramatically without sacrificing correctness.

Bad

steps: [{ run: "npm install" }]   # full cold install every run

Good

steps:
  - uses: actions/setup-node@v4
    with: { cache: "npm" }   # cache keyed on package-lock.json
  - run: npm ci

Why This Matters

Related Rules

Catch this automatically on every PR

Why this matters