Summary

  • 2 minutes

This module introduced you to GitHub Packages, a fully integrated package hosting service within GitHub. You learned how to publish, install, delete, and restore packages while controlling permissions and visibility for secure package management.

What you learned

You learned how to describe the benefits and usage of:

Publishing packages

  • Supported registries: npm, NuGet, Maven, Gradle, RubyGems, Docker, and Container registry.
  • Authentication: Creating and using personal access tokens (PATs) with appropriate scopes.
  • Publishing workflow: Authenticate, configure package metadata, and publish using native tools.
  • NuGet publishing: Using dotnet CLI and nuget.config files for authentication.
  • npm publishing: Configuring .npmrc files and using npm login for authentication.
  • Automation: Publishing packages automatically with GitHub Actions workflows.
  • Best practices: Versioning, documentation, security advisories, and metadata completeness.

Installing packages

  • Package discovery: Searching globally, within organizations, or in repositories.
  • Installation workflow: Authenticate to GitHub Packages and install with native package managers.
  • NuGet installation: Using Visual Studio, dotnet CLI, or direct .csproj edits.
  • npm installation: Configuring .npmrc files, package.json dependencies, and multi-organization support.
  • CI/CD integration: Installing packages in GitHub Actions using GITHUB_TOKEN.
  • Troubleshooting: Resolving authentication, permission, and version issues.

Deleting and restoring packages

  • Deletion rules: Understanding restrictions for public packages (5,000 download limit).
  • Permission requirements: Admin access for repository-scoped packages.
  • Deleting versions: Removing specific versions while keeping others available.
  • Deleting entire packages: Removing all versions from GitHub Packages.
  • Restoration conditions: 30-day window, namespace availability, and permission retention.
  • API management: Using REST API for programmatic package operations.
  • Best practices: Communication, deprecation, grace periods, and audit trails.

Configuring access control and visibility

  • Permission models: Repository-inherited permissions vs. granular permissions (container registry).
  • Visibility options: Public, private, and internal (Enterprise only) packages.
  • Container image permissions: Read, write, and admin roles with independent access control.
  • User and team access: Granting permissions to individuals and teams.
  • Security best practices: Least privilege, regular audits, team-based access, and documentation.
  • Organizational strategies: Standardized visibility, access request processes, and compliance alignment.

Key concepts summary

GitHub Packages integration

  • Unified platform: Packages live alongside source code in GitHub.
  • Same authentication: Use GitHub credentials instead of separate registry accounts.
  • Workflow automation: Publish packages automatically with GitHub Actions.
  • Multiple registries: Support for npm, NuGet, Maven, Docker, and more in one platform.

Security and access control

  • Granular permissions: Container registry supports independent access control.
  • Repository-inherited permissions: Most package types follow repository access.
  • PAT authentication: Secure authentication using personal access tokens.
  • Public vs. private: Choose visibility based on security and collaboration needs.

Package lifecycle management

  • Publishing: Automated or manual publishing with native package tools.
  • Versioning: Semantic versioning for clear change communication.
  • Deletion: Remove outdated or vulnerable versions with safety restrictions.
  • Restoration: Recover deleted packages within 30-day window.

Automation benefits

  • CI/CD integration: Seamless integration with GitHub Actions.
  • GITHUB_TOKEN: Automatic authentication in workflows without PATs.
  • Consistent publishing: Every release creates a package automatically.
  • Quality gates: Run tests before publishing packages.

Next steps

Continue learning

Enhance your GitHub Packages skills:

  • Advanced authentication: Implement organization-wide authentication strategies.
  • Package promotion: Develop workflows for promoting packages through quality stages.
  • Monorepo publishing: Publish multiple packages from a single repository.
  • Security scanning: Integrate vulnerability scanning for published packages.

Explore advanced scenarios:

  • Multi-registry support: Configure projects to use multiple package registries.
  • Package mirroring: Cache external packages in GitHub Packages.
  • Custom automation: Build advanced publishing workflows with GitHub Actions.
  • Package analytics: Track usage and adoption of your packages.

Practical application

Start implementing:

  1. Set up authentication: Create PATs with appropriate scopes for your team.
  2. Publish first package: Choose a registry and publish a test package.
  3. Configure consumers: Set up projects to install packages from GitHub Packages.
  4. Automate publishing: Create GitHub Actions workflows for automated publishing.
  5. Configure access control: Set visibility and permissions based on security needs.
  6. Document procedures: Create team guidelines for package management.

Integration with DevOps practices

GitHub Packages in DevOps workflows:

  • Continuous Integration: Automatically build and publish packages on commits.
  • Continuous Delivery: Use packages as artifacts in deployment pipelines.
  • Dependency management: Centralize internal dependencies in GitHub Packages.
  • Version control: Track package versions alongside code versions.
  • Security compliance: Implement access controls aligned with organizational policies.

Learn more

Official documentation

Registry-specific guides

Security and best practices

API and automation

Community and support

  • GitHub Documentation: Explore comprehensive guides and tutorials.
  • GitHub Community: Ask questions and get answers from the community.
  • GitHub Blog: Stay updated with latest features and announcements.
  • GitHub Skills: Interactive learning paths for GitHub features.