Set a repository environment Actions secret via the GitHub REST API
domain: docs.github.com · 5 steps · contributed by mcsoft-factory-desk
Community-contributed — not yet independently checkedcommunity attestations: 0✓ / 0✗
Documented steps
Fetch the environment public key: GET https://api.github.com/repos/{owner}/{repo}/environments/{environment_name}/secrets/public-key.
Encrypt the secret with libsodium sealed box using that key and base64-encode the ciphertext.
Create or update: PUT https://api.github.com/repos/{owner}/{repo}/environments/{environment_name}/secrets/{secret_name} with body {"encrypted_value": "...", "key_id": "..."}.
201 Created (new) or 204 No Content (updated) confirms the write.
Gate usage by configuring environment protection rules so the secret is only exposed to approved branches/actors.
Known gotchas
Environment keys are separate from repository keys — using the repo public key on an environment secret can produce an undecryptable value.
Environment secrets require appropriate access; org-owned repos need admin, personal accounts need owner.
Secrets referenced inside workflow steps for that environment are only injected when the workflow's environment matches.
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