The Need for a pullPageSize Input

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 126 views

Introduction

In the world of software development, workflows are an essential part of ensuring that tasks are completed efficiently and effectively. However, when it comes to handling large repositories with numerous pull requests, the current workflow may not be sufficient. In this article, we will explore the need for a pullPageSize input in the train.yml composite workflow and how it can be implemented to support large repositories.

The Current Issue

We recently encountered an issue in the dotnet/dotnet-api-docs repository where the job for downloading pulls was unable to complete with a page size of 25. This was due to the large number of files touched by the pull requests in the repository. As a result, we found that a page size of 1 was necessary to complete the job successfully.

The Need for a pullPageSize Input

The current workflow does not allow for the pullPageSize to be passed as an input to the train.yml workflow. This means that we are forced to duplicate the train.yml workflow in the repository where the pullPageSize argument needs to be passed to the Downloader. Ideally, we would like to have pullPageSize and issuePageSize inputs in the train.yml workflow to allow for this to be passed through.

Benefits of Implementing a pullPageSize Input

Implementing a pullPageSize input in the train.yml workflow would have several benefits. Firstly, it would allow for more flexibility in handling large repositories with numerous pull requests. Secondly, it would enable us to pass the pullPageSize argument to the Downloader, which would improve the efficiency of the workflow. Finally, it would reduce the need for duplicating the train.yml workflow in different repositories.

How to Implement a pullPageSize Input

To implement a pullPageSize input in the train.yml workflow, we would need to make the following changes:

Add a pullPageSize input to the train.yml workflow
Update the Downloader to accept the pullPageSize argument
Update the workflow to pass the pullPageSize argument to the Downloader

Step 1: Add a pullPageSize Input

To add a pullPageSize input to the train.yml workflow, we would need to update the workflow file to include the following code:

name: Train

on:
  push:
    branches:
      - main

jobs:
  train:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - name: Checkout code
        uses: actions/checkout@v2
      - name: Train model
        run: |
          python train.py --pull-page-size ${{ github.event.inputs.pull-page-size }}

Step 2: Update the Downloader

To update the Downloader to accept the pullPageSize argument, we would need to update the Downloader code to include the following:

import requests

def download_pulls(repo, pull_page_size):
    # Download pulls from the repository
    response = requests.get(f"https://api.github.com/repos/{repo}/pulls?per_page={pull_page_size}")
    # Process the response
    return response.json()

Step 3: Update the Workflow

To update the workflow to pass the pullPageSize argument to the Downloader, we would need to update the workflow file to include the following code:

name: Train

on:
  push:
    branches:
      - main

jobs:
  train:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - name: Checkout code
        uses: actions/checkout@v2
      - name: Train model
        run: |
          python train.py --pull-page-size ${{ github.event.inputs.pull-page-size }}
      - name: Download pulls
        run: |
          python downloader.py --repo ${{ github.event.repository.full_name }} --pull-page-size ${{ github.event.inputs.pull-page-size }}

Conclusion

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the need for a pullPageSize input in the train.yml composite workflow to support large repositories with numerous pull requests. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about implementing a pullPageSize input in the train.yml workflow.

Q: What is the purpose of a pullPageSize input?

A: The purpose of a pullPageSize input is to allow for more flexibility in handling large repositories with numerous pull requests. By passing the pullPageSize argument to the Downloader, we can improve the efficiency of the workflow and reduce the need for duplicating the train.yml workflow in different repositories.

Q: How do I add a pullPageSize input to the train.yml workflow?

A: To add a pullPageSize input to the train.yml workflow, you need to update the workflow file to include the following code:

name: Train

on:
  push:
    branches:
      - main

jobs:
  train:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - name: Checkout code
        uses: actions/checkout@v2
      - name: Train model
        run: |
          python train.py --pull-page-size ${{ github.event.inputs.pull-page-size }}

Q: How do I update the Downloader to accept the pullPageSize argument?

A: To update the Downloader to accept the pullPageSize argument, you need to update the Downloader code to include the following:

import requests

def download_pulls(repo, pull_page_size):
    # Download pulls from the repository
    response = requests.get(f"https://api.github.com/repos/{repo}/pulls?per_page={pull_page_size}")
    # Process the response
    return response.json()

Q: How do I update the workflow to pass the pullPageSize argument to the Downloader?

A: To update the workflow to pass the pullPageSize argument to the Downloader, you need to update the workflow file to include the following code:

name: Train

on:
  push:
    branches:
      - main

jobs:
  train:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - name: Checkout code
        uses: actions/checkout@v2
      - name: Train model
        run: |
          python train.py --pull-page-size ${{ github.event.inputs.pull-page-size }}
      - name: Download pulls
        run: |
          python downloader.py --repo ${{ github.event.repository.full_name }} --pull-page-size ${{ github.event.inputs.pull-page-size }}

Q: What are the benefits of implementing a pullPageSize input in the train.yml workflow?

A: The benefits of implementing a pullPageSize input in the train.yml workflow include:

More flexibility in handling large repositories with numerous pull requests
Improved efficiency of the workflow
Reduced need for duplicating the train.yml workflow in different repositories

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with the pullPageSize input?

A: To troubleshoot issues with the pullPageSize input, you can:

Check the workflow file for any errors or typos
Verify that the Downloader is updated to accept the pullPageSize argument
Check the GitHub Actions logs for any errors or warnings related to the pullPageSize input

Conclusion

In conclusion, implementing a pullPageSize input in the train.yml workflow can improve the efficiency of the workflow and reduce the need for duplicating the train.yml workflow in different repositories. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can troubleshoot issues with the pullPageSize input and ensure that your workflow is running smoothly.