Use an operating-system matrix to define one test job and run it once on a Windows runner and once on a Linux runner. Each job instance checks out the same revision, sets up the project’s runtime and dependencies, then runs the project’s actual test command. The matrix syntax and runner-selection settings depend on your CI provider.
How a Windows-and-Linux test matrix works
A matrix expands one job definition into multiple job instances, one for each operating-system value. Keep the logical test steps shared where possible; the separate runners reveal differences in path handling, shell behavior, filesystem case sensitivity, native dependencies, and other platform-specific behavior.
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The matrix does not supply your language runtime, install dependencies, or determine how to run tests. Those steps depend on the repository’s language, package manager, and test framework. Nor does matrix expansion guarantee that all instances start simultaneously: available runners and account capacity determine whether jobs run concurrently or queue.
GitHub Actions: add Windows and Linux runners
For GitHub Actions, use strategy.matrix to list the runner labels and runs-on to select the runner for each instance. This minimal workflow shows where project-specific setup belongs:
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name: Tests
on:
push:
pull_request:
jobs:
test:
strategy:
matrix:
os: [ubuntu-latest, windows-latest]
runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
steps:
- uses: actions/checkout@v4
# Add the project's runtime setup and dependency installation here.
- name: Run tests
run: <project test command>Replace the comment with the project’s real runtime setup and dependency-installation steps, and replace <project test command> with the repository’s actual test command. The example uses GitHub’s ubuntu-latest and windows-latest labels; consult the GitHub matrix guide for matrix behavior and the GitHub-hosted runner documentation for runner details. Hosted images and preinstalled tools can change, so inspect or pin image details when reproducibility depends on them.
Equivalent matrix approaches on other CI providers
The same idea applies elsewhere, but the matrix and operating-system selection keys differ. Confirm that your provider offers the Windows and Linux environments your project needs.
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| Provider | Matrix and runner selection | Important constraint |
|---|---|---|
| Azure Pipelines | Define named entries in strategy.matrix, assign an imageName such as ubuntu-latest or windows-latest, and set pool.vmImage: $(imageName). |
Microsoft says each agent can run only one job at a time. Parallel execution depends on available agents and parallel-job capacity. See Microsoft Learn: Customize your pipeline. |
| GitLab CI/CD | Use parallel:matrix to expand jobs across variable values, and configure the job’s image or runner selection for the intended operating system. |
Jobs need multiple runners or a runner configured for concurrency to run in parallel. GitLab limits a matrix to 200 permutations. See the GitLab CI/CD YAML reference. |
| CircleCI | Matrix jobs repeat a parameterized job across combinations; executor parameters determine the environment. | The documented matrix example shows Linux and macOS, not this Windows/Linux pair. Confirm that an appropriate Windows executor is available before writing the configuration. See CircleCI matrix jobs. |
What to verify before relying on the results
- Both operating systems are actually selected. Use provider-supported Windows and Linux runner or image settings; a matrix variable alone does not configure an environment.
- Setup and test steps fit the project. Specify the real runtime version, dependency installation, and test command rather than assuming one set of commands works for every repository.
- Concurrency matches expectations. Matrix instances may queue if runner availability or account-level capacity is insufficient.
- Reproducibility needs are covered. Hosted image labels and installed software can change. Check provider image details or use more controlled environments if a stable toolchain is essential.
Choosing a CI implementation
There is no provider ranking implied by the matrix examples. Choose based on the CI service already connected to your repository, its matrix and runner-selection model, availability of hosted or self-hosted Windows and Linux environments, concurrency and cost constraints, and how much control you need over image and toolchain versions. Those details can vary by provider configuration and account, so verify them for your project.
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