# Node 20 is no longer available in GitHub Actions

By Steven Van · 2026-09-23

Actions runners now require node24 in action metadata, and the Node 20 opt-out flag no longer works.

GitHub Actions runners have dropped Node 20 for JavaScript actions; they now run **Node 24**. The temporary ACTIONS\_ALLOW\_USE\_UNSECURE\_NODE\_VERSION opt-out that let workflows keep using Node 20 is no longer available.

Anyone maintaining a JavaScript action needs to set runs.using to node24 in its metadata file and publish a new release. Workflows that consume JavaScript actions should be updated to the latest versions of those actions to get Node 24 support; GitHub's own first-party actions have already been updated. Node 24 is incompatible with macOS 13.4 and earlier and doesn't officially support ARM32, so self-hosted runners on those operating systems or architectures are no longer supported. The change applies to [github.com and GitHub with Data Residency](<https://docs.github.com/actions/creating-actions/metadata-syntax-for-github-actions#runs-for-javascript-actions>), and is documented on [GitHub](<https://creatorstoolbox.com/tools/github>)'s metadata syntax reference.

![GitHub](<https://github.githubassets.com/assets/GitHub-Mark-ea2971cee799.png>)

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[Read the original announcement →](<https://docs.github.com/actions/creating-actions/metadata-syntax-for-github-actions#runs-for-javascript-actions>)

[Read Node 20 is no longer available in GitHub Actions on Creators Toolbox](<https://creatorstoolbox.com/blog/github-node-20-is-no-longer-available-in-github-actions>)

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Canonical source: https://creatorstoolbox.com/blog/github-node-20-is-no-longer-available-in-github-actions