GitHub Actions has a lesser-known ubuntu-slim runner: 1 CPU, 5GB RAM, cheaper CI
DanielLockyer · x · 2026-11-02
Developer Daniel Lockyer points out that while most repos default their CI to the ubuntu-latest label on GitHub Actions, a lesser-known ubuntu-slim option also exists.
Per the official docs screenshot, ubuntu-slim runs on a 1-core CPU / 5GB RAM / 14GB SSD x64 Linux VM, versus ubuntu-latest (and ubuntu-24.04/22.04/26.04) at 2 cores / 8GB RAM / 14GB SSD. For private repositories these runners draw from your account's included compute and are billed per-minute beyond that.
For lightweight CI workloads like linting, docs builds, or simple tests, switching to ubuntu-slim can cut resource usage and billing costs.
Related event: Little-known ubuntu-slim runner offers cheaper GitHub Actions CI(2 posts)→
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