# Quickstart

> Run your first GitHub Actions job on Skipbox: sign in, install the app, change one runs-on line, and push.

You need a private repository on a GitHub organization or a personal account, with at least one workflow in `.github/workflows`. The steps take a few minutes, and the free trial needs no card.

## 1. Sign in with GitHub

Open [skipbox.dev](https://skipbox.dev/) and sign in with GitHub. Signing in charges nothing.

## 2. Install the Skipbox app

Skipbox shows two install buttons. Pick the one for the account whose jobs you want to run:

- **An organization:** install the **Skipbox CI** app. An owner of the organization installs it. If you aren't an owner, GitHub sends them your request, and the owner who installs it signs in to Skipbox once.
- **Your personal account:** install the **Skipbox (personal)** app.

GitHub then asks whether the app may use all repositories or only some. Skipbox runs jobs from private repositories only. See [Organizations and personal accounts](https://docs.skipbox.dev/accounts) and [GitHub App permissions](https://docs.skipbox.dev/permissions).

## 3. Change one job's runs-on

Open a workflow file and set one job's `runs-on` to `skipbox`:

```yaml
jobs:
  test:
    runs-on: skipbox
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - run: make test
```

Your dashboard lists your repositories with an **Edit on GitHub** link for each workflow, so you can make the change in GitHub's editor.

## 4. Commit and push

Commit the change. The next run of that job goes to Skipbox, runs in a new VM, and shows on your dashboard. Your free trial starts with this first job: 7 days or 3,000 job-minutes, whichever comes first. See [Free trial](https://docs.skipbox.dev/trial).

## Switch back to GitHub's runners

Set `runs-on` back to what it was, such as `ubuntu-latest`, and commit. Skipbox changed nothing else in your repository.

## What to read next

- Larger VMs: [Labels and sizes](https://docs.skipbox.dev/labels).
- What the VM has installed: [Runner image](https://docs.skipbox.dev/runner-image).
- A job that doesn't start: [A job stays queued](https://docs.skipbox.dev/job-queued).

Updated 2026-11-09 · https://docs.skipbox.dev/quickstart