GitHub App Token

This JavaScript GitHub Action can be used to impersonate a GitHub App when secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN's limitations are too restrictive and a personal access token is not suitable.

For instance, from GitHub Actions' docs:

When you use the repository's GITHUB_TOKEN to perform tasks, events triggered by the GITHUB_TOKEN, with the exception of workflow_dispatch and repository_dispatch, will not create a new workflow run. This prevents you from accidentally creating recursive workflow runs. For example, if a workflow run pushes code using the repository's GITHUB_TOKEN, a new workflow will not run even when the repository contains a workflow configured to run when push events occur.

A workaround is to use a personal access token from a personal user/bot account. However, for organizations, GitHub Apps are a more appropriate automation solution.

Example Workflow

jobs:
  job:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - name: Generate token
        id: generate_token
        uses: tibdex/github-app-token@v1
        with:
          app_id: ${{ secrets.APP_ID }}

          # Optional.
          # github_api_url: https://api.example.com

          # Optional.
          # installation_id: 1337

          # Optional.
          # Using a YAML multiline string to avoid escaping the JSON quotes.
          # permissions: >-
          #   {"members": "read"}

          private_key: ${{ secrets.PRIVATE_KEY }}

          # Optional.
          # repository: owner/repo

      - name: Use token
        env:
          TOKEN: ${{ steps.generate_token.outputs.token }}
        run: |
          echo "The generated token is masked: ${TOKEN}"

Another use case for this action can (or could) be found in GitHub's own docs.