If GitHub Actions restores a cache using the exact primary key, it reuses that existing entry rather than saving the current files over it. Cache entries are immutable. To make dependency changes produce a new cache, derive the primary key from the relevant lockfile and compatibility inputs such as the operating system; use a restore-key prefix only as a fallback, then run the package manager to reconcile dependencies.
Why a cache hit does not refresh the cache
GitHub Actions cache keys identify immutable entries. As GitHub puts it, “You cannot change the contents of an existing cache.” When a run restores an entry whose key exactly matches the primary key, actions/cache skips saving a replacement under that same key. The action’s post-job log can say: Cache hit occurred on the primary key [key], not saving cache. Here, [key] represents the actual key reported in the run. GitHub’s dependency caching documentation and the action’s save implementation describe this behavior.
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This is expected when the key still accurately represents the cached files. It becomes a freshness problem when inputs change but the key does not—for example, when a dependency lockfile is updated while the cache key remains static. A successful run can then keep restoring the older entry because there is no new key under which to save the updated contents.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsMake dependency changes create a new key
For dependency caches, build the primary key from the inputs that determine whether the cached data is compatible. A lockfile hash is a common freshness trigger; include dimensions such as the operating system when they affect the contents. GitHub’s documentation demonstrates using hashFiles() so a lockfile change changes the key. See GitHub’s key and restore-key examples.
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- uses: actions/cache@v4
id: deps
with:
path: <package-manager cache or dependency directory>
key: ${{ runner.os }}-deps-${{ hashFiles('<lockfile glob>') }}
restore-keys: |
${{ runner.os }}-deps-This is a pattern, not a universal workflow. Choose a path and lockfile glob that match the project, and make sure the install step uses the same lockfile. GitHub notes that setup actions can manage caching for common ecosystems, including Node, Python, Java, Ruby, Go, and .NET. Consult the official caching reference for ecosystem-specific guidance.
What happens when the lockfile changes
- The changed lockfile produces a different primary key, assuming the hash pattern covers the file actually used by the install step.
- If the exact new key does not exist, the restore-key prefix may select an older matching cache. That is a partial restore, not an exact hit.
- Run the package manager so it reconciles the restored directory with the current lockfile. A cache restore alone does not update dependency state.
- If the job completes successfully and can write to the applicable cache scope, the action can save the resulting files under the new primary key.
The official action reports cache-hit as true for an exact match and false for a restore-key match. Do not use “some cache was restored” as a reason to skip dependency installation. The actions/cache documentation explains the input and output behavior.
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Diagnose why a run did not save a cache
Use the restore and post-job logs to distinguish an exact hit from a miss or partial restore, then check the key, write conditions, and scope in that order.
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Cache hit occurred on the primary key [key], not saving cache., means the action found the primary key and did not overwrite it. A restore-key match is different; inspect the reportedcache-hitoutput. - Inspect the resolved primary key. Compare it between runs and check that it changes when the relevant lockfile changes. Verify that any
hashFiles()glob includes the lockfile the install step actually uses; a static key or an ineffective glob will not provide the intended freshness trigger. - If there was a miss, check whether the job could save. Automatic cache creation after a miss depends on successful job completion. Some low-trust workflows have read-only access to the default-branch cache scope; GitHub documents a warning in that case while the job continues. Use a trusted workflow to maintain a cache when appropriate rather than broadly granting untrusted jobs write access. GitHub documents cache permissions and scope rules.
- Check branch scope and cache version. Cache lookup depends on the key, version, and branch scope. Version metadata incorporates the cached paths and compression tooling, so changing paths or the relevant compression setup can affect compatibility. A sibling branch’s cache is not generally available. Pull-request caches use merge-ref scopes and are not generally reusable by the base branch or other pull requests. See GitHub’s documented scope rules.
- Check retention and repository storage if an older entry is missing. GitHub’s documentation accessed October 7, 2026 says caches not accessed for over seven days are removed. It also lists a 10 GB default total cache limit per repository; administrators may configure a higher limit, and least-recently-accessed entries are evicted after the limit is reached. The current retention and storage details are in GitHub’s documentation.
Choose a cache strategy that matches the data
| Strategy | Freshness behavior | When it fits | What to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Static primary key | The same key continues to identify the same immutable entry. | Only when the cached contents remain valid for the entire lifetime of that key. | Changes to dependencies or other compatibility inputs do not create a replacement entry. |
| Lockfile-derived primary key | A change to a covered lockfile produces a new primary key. | Dependency caches whose contents should track a lockfile. | Include relevant compatibility dimensions, and ensure the hash covers the lockfile used by the install step. |
| Lockfile-derived key with a restore-key prefix | Tries the exact key first, then can restore the most recently created matching prefix entry. | When an older cache is a useful starting point for the package manager. | A prefix match is partial: reconcile dependencies against the current lockfile rather than treating the restore as proof they are current. |
Cache contents also have a security boundary. Do not store credentials, tokens, or other secrets in a cache. GitHub warns that people able to open pull requests may be able to access cache contents, and that restoring and using untrusted cache content can create code-execution risks. Review GitHub’s security guidance before sharing caches across trust boundaries.
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What the “23 days” report does—and does not—show
The article behind the “23 days” figure reports that its author, jidonglab, encountered a stale cache of that age and saw install times change from 38 seconds to 2 minutes 51 seconds, followed by a 36-second run. Those are the author’s case-study figures, not independently verified measurements or a GitHub-wide benchmark. The incident illustrates how a key that fails to change can preserve stale contents; it does not mean every exact cache hit is stale. An exact hit is appropriate when the cache remains valid for the inputs represented by its key. Read the author’s account.
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