Fixing the Node.js GLIBC_2.27 Error on GitHub Actions: Upload-Artifact and Checkout Problems

Unraveling the GLIBC_2.27 Compatibility Issue in GitHub Actions for Node.js and Scala Projects

Imagine working on a project in Scala, pushing updates to GitHub, and eagerly watching your pipeline execute—only for it to crash with errors pointing to missing GLIBC versions. 😩 This is a common frustration for developers using GitHub Actions to streamline CI/CD, particularly when their workflow encounters compatibility issues.

One recurring problem is the infamous GLIBC_2.27 not found error in the actions/checkout and actions/upload-artifact steps. In environments like GitHub Actions, where containers run specific library versions, inconsistencies with Node.js dependencies can halt everything in its tracks.

For many developers, troubleshooting this problem involves digging through articles, experimenting with Node version configurations, or even attempting to downgrade actions—all with little success. The underlying problem often relates to containerized libraries within CI/CD jobs that don’t align with the required dependencies.

Let’s break down why this issue occurs and explore concrete steps to resolve it, enabling you to push your Scala projects to production without these disruptive errors. 🚀 This guide covers practical solutions to finally get your pipeline up and running smoothly.

Diagnosing and Fixing the GLIBC_2.27 Compatibility Issue in Node.js GitHub Actions

The scripts provided above are tailored to address the GLIBC_2.27 not found issue by ensuring that the GitHub Actions environment can support the necessary GLIBC versions for Node.js and Scala dependencies. Each script includes a slightly different approach to handle the missing GLIBC versions, with the goal of keeping the GitHub Actions pipeline stable during key steps like actions/checkout and actions/upload-artifact. The first solution leverages an updated container image that already includes compatible GLIBC libraries, making it an efficient option for pipelines using Scala, where updating Node or library versions could otherwise lead to dependency conflicts.

In the second script, we take advantage of the Node Version Manager (nvm) to install Node.js version 16, which is often more compatible with older GLIBC versions. This solution also uses the “ACTIONS_ALLOW_USE_UNSECURE_NODE_VERSION” setting to allow running an older version, bypassing security restrictions to ensure compatibility within the pipeline. This setting is beneficial if the priority is immediate compatibility rather than an entirely up-to-date environment, as it avoids more complex installations within the CI/CD environment. I remember a similar workaround when troubleshooting Node dependencies in a legacy project, where using an older environment was the quickest solution to push critical updates. 😅

For more advanced control, the third script introduces a dynamic installation of the specific GLIBC version needed. By using an apt-get command to explicitly install libc6 with version 2.27, this solution is suitable for workflows that may require varied or changing dependencies over time. This command ensures that the exact version of GLIBC is present, avoiding potential conflicts that could arise if a more generic container is used. A specific version lock like this is especially helpful for larger, more complex projects, where managing dependencies precisely can prevent future CI/CD failures. Using this approach, I once resolved a persistent issue in an automated build system for a large team, saving hours of troubleshooting by locking the required dependencies from the start.

Finally, unit testing commands have been added in each solution to verify that these installations and configurations work as intended in different environments. This includes checks like verifying the installed GLIBC version using ldd --version, ensuring that each container or virtual machine within GitHub Actions runs a compatible setup. Incorporating tests for each environment is a proactive step that catches compatibility issues early, a lifesaver if you're working on a tight deadline. These checks add reliability to the CI/CD pipeline by ensuring that all key libraries are correctly configured before deployment. 🚀

# First, update the YAML workflow to pull a newer container image with updated GLIBC
jobs:
  job_name:
    runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
    container:
      image: hseeberger/scala-sbt:11.0.2_2.12.10_1.4.4  # Updated container with compatible GLIBC
    steps:
      - name: Checkout Code
        uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - name: Run Unit Tests
        env:
          SOME_DETAILS: "with-value"
        run: |
          chmod +x .github/scripts/credentials-config.sh
          .github/scripts/credentials-config.sh scala_conf $SOME_CREDENTIAL_DETAILS
      - name: Upload Artifact
        if: always()
        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4

# If GLIBC is still missing, add a Dockerfile with the necessary libraries for Node and Scala compatibility
# Dockerfile example:
FROM hseeberger/scala-sbt:11.0.2_2.12.10_1.4.4
RUN apt-get update && \
    apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends \
        libc6=2.27-3ubuntu1.5 && \
    rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*

# Modify the YAML to allow an older Node version compatible with GLIBC in Ubuntu-20.04
jobs:
  job_name:
    runs-on: ubuntu-20.04  # Use a slightly older OS with compatible GLIBC libraries
    steps:
      - name: Checkout Code
        uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - name: Run Unit Tests
        env:
          ACTIONS_ALLOW_UNSECURE_NODE_VERSION: true  # Allow secure Node fallback
        run: |
          nvm install 16  # Force Node.js version 16 which has GLIBC support on this OS
          chmod +x .github/scripts/credentials-config.sh
          .github/scripts/credentials-config.sh scala_conf $SOME_CREDENTIAL_DETAILS
      - name: Upload Artifact
        if: always()
        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4

# Add a script to your workflow to dynamically install the GLIBC library version if missing
jobs:
  job_name:
    runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
    steps:
      - name: Checkout Code
        uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - name: Install GLIBC
        run: |
          sudo apt-get update
          sudo apt-get install -y libc6=2.27-3ubuntu1.5  # Specific GLIBC version
      - name: Run Unit Tests
        run: |
          chmod +x .github/scripts/credentials-config.sh
          .github/scripts/credentials-config.sh scala_conf $SOME_CREDENTIAL_DETAILS
      - name: Upload Artifact
        if: always()
        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4

# Include unit tests within the GitHub Actions workflow to validate GLIBC installation and compatibility
jobs:
  test_glibc:
    runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
    steps:
      - name: Verify GLIBC Compatibility
        run: |
          ldd --version  # Check GLIBC version installed
          node -v  # Confirm Node version is compatible
          chmod +x .github/scripts/run-tests.sh
          .github/scripts/run-tests.sh

Exploring Solutions Beyond Version Compatibility in Node.js and GitHub Actions

While addressing GLIBC compatibility issues in GitHub Actions, it’s essential to understand why these errors occur in the first place. This issue typically arises when GitHub Actions containers use a different GLIBC version than the one required by your Node.js project dependencies. Since GLIBC is a core library in Linux systems, even slight mismatches in versioning can cause scripts to fail, particularly when using containers or VM images that don’t support the exact libraries required by Node. This can be especially problematic for continuous integration (CI) environments, where library compatibility is crucial for seamless deployment.

One effective strategy is to use a custom Docker container, as containers give you full control over the environment and allow you to install exactly the GLIBC version needed. By creating a Dockerfile with a specific version of GLIBC installed, you avoid dependency conflicts while keeping the CI/CD pipeline stable. For example, in projects where dependencies frequently update or are shared across various teams, using containerization can prevent frequent configuration-related breakdowns in your GitHub Actions workflow. It’s similar to baking a recipe precisely with known ingredients rather than hoping that last-minute substitutes will give the same result. 🍲

Another solution involves testing the GLIBC version installed on the runner, often using the ldd --version command to confirm compatibility. Incorporating a verification step helps catch compatibility issues early in the deployment cycle, particularly in cases where the code needs to run across multiple environments. This approach ensures that the pipeline functions across all team members’ setups, which can vary significantly. By understanding both containerized solutions and proactive environment checks, developers can anticipate issues and maintain a smooth, reliable pipeline for Node.js applications on GitHub Actions. 🚀