Instructions for adding new message types to the safe-output messages system
This guide explains how to add a new message type to the GitHub Agentic Workflows safe-output messages system. Follow these steps to ensure the new message is available in frontmatter, parsed by the compiler, available in JavaScript, and properly bundled.
The messages system allows workflow authors to customize messages displayed in safe-output operations. Messages flow through:
Add the new message field to pkg/parser/schemas/main_workflow_schema.json in the messages object:
{
"messages": {
"properties": {
"my-new-message": {
"type": "string",
"description": "Description of when this message is used. Available placeholders: {placeholder1}, {placeholder2}.",
"examples": [
"Example message with {placeholder1}"
]
}
}
}
}
Key points:
kebab-case for the YAML field name (e.g., my-new-message)make build after changes (schema is embedded in binary)Add the new field to SafeOutputMessagesConfig in pkg/workflow/compiler.go:
type SafeOutputMessagesConfig struct {
// ... existing fields ...
MyNewMessage string `yaml:"my-new-message,omitempty" json:"myNewMessage,omitempty"` // Description of the message
}
Key points:
CamelCase for Go field namekebab-case for YAML tag (matches frontmatter)camelCase for JSON tag (used in JavaScript)omitempty to both tagsIf needed, update the parser in pkg/workflow/safe_outputs.go:
func parseMessagesConfig(messagesMap map[string]any) *SafeOutputMessagesConfig {
config := &SafeOutputMessagesConfig{}
// ... existing parsing ...
if myNewMessage, ok := messagesMap["my-new-message"].(string); ok {
config.MyNewMessage = myNewMessage
}
return config
}
Note: The parser uses reflection for most fields, so this step may not be needed for simple string fields.
Create a new file pkg/workflow/js/messages_my_new.cjs:
// @ts-check
/// <reference types="@actions/github-script" />
/**
* My New Message Module
*
* This module provides the my-new-message generation
* for [describe when it's used].
*/
const { getMessages, renderTemplate, toSnakeCase } = require("./messages_core.cjs");
/**
* @typedef {Object} MyNewMessageContext
* @property {string} placeholder1 - Description of placeholder1
* @property {string} placeholder2 - Description of placeholder2
*/
/**
* Get the my-new-message, using custom template if configured.
* @param {MyNewMessageContext} ctx - Context for message generation
* @returns {string} The generated message
*/
function getMyNewMessage(ctx) {
const messages = getMessages();
// Create context with both camelCase and snake_case keys
const templateContext = toSnakeCase(ctx);
// Default message template
const defaultMessage = "Default message with {placeholder1} and {placeholder2}";
// Use custom message if configured
return messages?.myNewMessage
? renderTemplate(messages.myNewMessage, templateContext)
: renderTemplate(defaultMessage, templateContext);
}
module.exports = {
getMyNewMessage,
};
Key points:
messages_<category>.cjs (flat structure, not subfolder)./messages_core.cjs for shared utilitiesCreate pkg/workflow/js/messages_my_new.test.cjs:
import { describe, it, expect, beforeEach, vi } from "vitest";
// Mock core global
const mockCore = {
warning: vi.fn(),
};
global.core = mockCore;
describe("getMyNewMessage", () => {
beforeEach(() => {
vi.clearAllMocks();
delete process.env.GH_AW_SAFE_OUTPUT_MESSAGES;
});
it("should return default message when no custom message configured", async () => {
const { getMyNewMessage } = await import("./messages_my_new.cjs");
const result = getMyNewMessage({
placeholder1: "value1",
placeholder2: "value2",
});
expect(result).toBe("Default message with value1 and value2");
});
it("should use custom message when configured", async () => {
process.env.GH_AW_SAFE_OUTPUT_MESSAGES = JSON.stringify({
myNewMessage: "Custom: {placeholder1}",
});
const { getMyNewMessage } = await import("./messages_my_new.cjs");
const result = getMyNewMessage({
placeholder1: "test",
placeholder2: "ignored",
});
expect(result).toContain("Custom: test");
});
});
Run tests with make test-js.
Add the new property to the SafeOutputMessages typedef in pkg/workflow/js/messages_core.cjs:
/**
* @typedef {Object} SafeOutputMessages
* @property {string} [footer] - Custom footer message template
* // ... existing properties ...
* @property {string} [myNewMessage] - Custom my-new-message template
*/
Also update the getMessages() function return object:
return {
footer: rawMessages.footer,
// ... existing fields ...
myNewMessage: rawMessages.myNewMessage,
};
Add the re-export to pkg/workflow/js/messages.cjs:
// Re-export my new messages
const { getMyNewMessage } = require("./messages_my_new.cjs");
module.exports = {
// ... existing exports ...
getMyNewMessage,
};
Add to pkg/workflow/js.go:
//go:embed js/messages_my_new.cjs
var messagesMyNewScript string
Add to GetJavaScriptSources():
func GetJavaScriptSources() map[string]string {
return map[string]string{
// ... existing entries ...
"messages_my_new.cjs": messagesMyNewScript,
}
}
Import directly from the specific module in scripts that need it:
const { getMyNewMessage } = require("./messages_my_new.cjs");
// Use the message
const message = getMyNewMessage({
placeholder1: actualValue1,
placeholder2: actualValue2,
});
Update scratchpad/safe-output-messages.md:
Update the Message Module Architecture table:
| Module | Purpose | Exported Functions |
|--------|---------|-------------------|
| `messages_my_new.cjs` | My new message description | `getMyNewMessage` |
Before committing:
pkg/parser/schemas/main_workflow_schema.jsonpkg/workflow/compiler.gopkg/workflow/safe_outputs.gopkg/workflow/js/messages_my_new.cjspkg/workflow/js/messages_my_new.test.cjsmessages_core.cjsmessages.cjsjs.goGetJavaScriptSources() mapscratchpad/safe-output-messages.mdmake test-jsmake buildmake lint| File | Purpose | Changes Needed |
|---|---|---|
pkg/parser/schemas/main_workflow_schema.json | JSON Schema | Add field definition |
pkg/workflow/compiler.go | Go struct | Add struct field |
pkg/workflow/safe_outputs.go | Parser | Add parsing logic (if needed) |
pkg/workflow/js/messages_my_new.cjs | JavaScript module | Create new file |
pkg/workflow/js/messages_my_new.test.cjs | Tests | Create new file |
pkg/workflow/js/messages_core.cjs | Core utilities | Update typedef |
pkg/workflow/js/messages.cjs | Barrel file | Add re-export |
pkg/workflow/js.go | Go embeddings | Add embed directive |
scratchpad/safe-output-messages.md | Documentation | Document new message |
close-older-discussion MessageThis message type was added following this process:
close-older-discussion field with placeholders {new_discussion_number}, {new_discussion_url}, {workflow_name}, {run_url}CloseOlderDiscussion string fieldmessages_close_discussion.cjs with getCloseOlderDiscussionMessage()GetJavaScriptSources()close_older_discussions.cjs via direct importSee these files for a working implementation example.