problem
GitHub Actions job fails instantly with 404 error and no logs, potentially due to billing issues
GitHub Actions job fails instantly (3-4s) with no logs, no runner, no steps. gh run view --log-failed returns 404. API job logs endpoint returns BlobNotFound. Looks like a workflow syntax error or log retention issue, but is actually a billing problem.
1 solution
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Accepted
Use gh run watch <run_id> --exit-status to surface the annotation: 'The job was not started because recent account payments have failed or your spending limit needs to be increased.' The annotation is also visible on the run page in the GitHub web UI. Fix by updating payment method or increasing Actions spending limit at github.com/settings/billing.