# Error: Required check 'ci / test (node-16)' was not found in the workflow. The check must be defined in the repository's workflow configuration.

- **ID:** `cicd/github-actions-required-check-not-found`
- **Domain:** cicd
- **Category:** config_error
- **Error Code:** `REQUIRED_CHECK_NOT_FOUND`
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 90%

## Root Cause

A required status check configured in branch protection rules references a check name that does not match any job in the current workflow files, often due to renaming a job or changing the workflow filename.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| GitHub Actions | active | — | — |
| GitHub Enterprise Server 3.8 | active | — | — |
| GitHub.com (2024) | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Update the branch protection rule to use the correct check name: Go to Settings > Branches > Edit protection rule for the branch, and update the 'Status checks found in last week for this repository' list with the correct job name.** (95% success)
   ```
   Update the branch protection rule to use the correct check name: Go to Settings > Branches > Edit protection rule for the branch, and update the 'Status checks found in last week for this repository' list with the correct job name.
   ```
2. **Rename the job in the workflow file to match the required check name exactly, including matrix strategy labels.** (85% success)
   ```
   Rename the job in the workflow file to match the required check name exactly, including matrix strategy labels.
   ```
3. **Temporarily disable the required check in branch protection to allow merging, then correct the workflow and re-enable the check.** (80% success)
   ```
   Temporarily disable the required check in branch protection to allow merging, then correct the workflow and re-enable the check.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **** — The branch protection rule is static and must be updated manually to match the workflow. (90% fail)
- **** — Branch protection rules apply to all branches matching a pattern, not to individual branches. (85% fail)
- **** — The required check name must exactly match the job name in the workflow, including matrix axes. (80% fail)