Token generated by runner becoming invalid mid run

[akashskypatel]

🏷️ Discussion Type

Bug

💬 Feature/Topic Area

Actions Runner

Discussion Details

Github token generated by GH hosted actions runner is becoming invalid mid run about 1hr into a job. My job checks token validity at various points in the script being run and the token seems to consistently become invalid after about an hour. Its happening on both linux and macos runners.

2026-07-16T21:45:12.1251140Z GitHub token is valid.
...
2026-07-16T22:41:06.2451270Z ERROR: GitHub token is invalid.

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[noobifyLol]

If you need a token that can last longer or be refreshed, you can generate one using a custom GitHub App. Since the one you are using has a 1 hour span.

You can use the official helper action to generate a token during the run:

- name: Generate Token
  uses: actions/create-github-app-token@v1
  id: app-token
  with:
    app-id: ${{ secrets.APP_ID }}
    private-key: ${{ secrets.APP_PRIVATE_KEY }}

Or smthing like that then I think you're good.

[akashskypatel]

thanks for the tip! will update my workflows. this wasn't an issue until today 🤔 did something change?

[noobifyLol]

im not sure