Invalid event for type=ref,event=workflow_dispatch

[Floppy]

I'm trying to get a manual trigger for a docker build going (mainly for testing the build when I want to). I've set up a type=ref metadata tag, which I want to be used when it gets a workflow_dispatch action. However, I get the error message in the title.

The docs at https://github.com/docker/metadata-action?tab=readme-ov-file#typeref list the events available as branch, pr, and push, but the table below includes workflow_dispatch as well, which I think has led me to believe that it's an option, whereas in fact I think it might just be a ref example?

So, my question is, should I be able to use workflow_dispatch events with type=ref, or should I be using a different type? If so, where is workflow_dispatch supported?

[crazy-max]

So, my question is, should I be able to use workflow_dispatch events with type=ref,

workflow_dispatch is a github event, not a ref type. As stated in the docs, only branch, tag and pr are valid ref type: https://github.com/docker/metadata-action?tab=readme-ov-file#typeref

the table below includes workflow_dispatch as well, which I think has led me to believe that it's an option, whereas in fact I think it might just be a ref example?

It's just an event type triggering the workflow.

---

workflow_dispatch only handles branch ref so in your case it would only work with type=ref,event=branch in tags. More info: https://docs.github.com/en/actions/using-workflows/events-that-trigger-workflows#workflow_dispatch

Edit: Ah tags as well so type=ref,event=tag should work:

[Floppy]

Thanks, I've been getting my ref types and events mixed up for one thing. So, type=ref can't be used with a workflow_dispatch event. I'm having a go at using type=raw instead, that seems to be working at the moment. I'll report back with my eventual solution for future reference.

I think that table below the list of supported events is a bit confusing, I went straight to reading that rather than the actual list above it.

[Floppy]

Yep, that did it, thanks for the help! I'm using type=raw and passing the tag name from an input on the workflow_dispatch. For anyone wondering this in future, here's my code:

https://github.com/manyfold3d/manyfold/blob/ab836e3c22f62423b91424cf2340cfde0409bbde/.github/workflows/docker.yml#L34