- A
pull_request: branches: [main] types: [opened]
This triggers when a PR is opened against main.
- B
pull_request_target: branches: [main]
Why wrong: This trigger has different permissions and runs in the context of the base branch, but it can be used for PRs; however, the standard pull_request is more appropriate.
- C
workflow_dispatch
Why wrong: Manual trigger is not automatic.
- D
push: branches: [main]
Why wrong: This triggers on commits to main, not on pull requests.
Question 885 of 928
GitHub Actions Trigger on PR Opened
This AZ-400 practice question tests your understanding of design and implement build and release pipelines. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
You are setting up a GitHub Actions workflow to deploy an Azure Resource Manager (ARM) template. The workflow must run whenever a pull request is opened against the main branch. Which trigger should you use?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
pull_request: branches: [main] types: [opened]
Option A is correct because the `pull_request` trigger with `branches: [main]` and `types: [opened]` ensures the workflow runs only when a pull request targeting the `main` branch is newly opened. This is the precise trigger needed to deploy an ARM template upon PR creation, as it fires on the merge commit context without exposing secrets to untrusted forks.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
pull_request: branches: [main] types: [opened]
Why this is correct
This triggers when a PR is opened against main.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
pull_request_target: branches: [main]
Why it's wrong here
This trigger has different permissions and runs in the context of the base branch, but it can be used for PRs; however, the standard pull_request is more appropriate.
- ✗
workflow_dispatch
Why it's wrong here
Manual trigger is not automatic.
- ✗
push: branches: [main]
Why it's wrong here
This triggers on commits to main, not on pull requests.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse `pull_request_target` with `pull_request`, mistakenly thinking the former is required for secret access, but `pull_request` is the correct choice for PR-triggered deployments because it runs in a restricted context that still allows access to secrets via explicit configuration (e.g., `secrets: inherit`).
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `pull_request` trigger uses the merge commit SHA (a temporary merge between the source and target branches) for the workflow run, which allows validation of the PR changes before merging. Under the hood, GitHub Actions creates a virtual merge commit and checks it out, enabling the workflow to test the combined state. In real-world scenarios, this is critical for ARM template deployments because you want to validate that the template parameters and resources work correctly with the current state of the target branch before the PR is merged.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Design and implement build and release pipelines — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Design and implement build and release pipelines practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All AZ-400 questions
928 questions across all exam domains
- →
Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert AZ-400 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
AZ-400 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related AZ-400 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Configure processes and communications practice questions
Practise AZ-400 questions linked to Configure processes and communications.
Design and implement source control practice questions
Practise AZ-400 questions linked to Design and implement source control.
Design and implement build and release pipelines practice questions
Practise AZ-400 questions linked to Design and implement build and release pipelines.
Develop a security and compliance plan practice questions
Practise AZ-400 questions linked to Develop a security and compliance plan.
Implement an instrumentation strategy practice questions
Practise AZ-400 questions linked to Implement an instrumentation strategy.
Design and implement a DevOps infrastructure practice questions
Practise AZ-400 questions linked to Design and implement a DevOps infrastructure.
Design and implement a source control strategy practice questions
Practise AZ-400 questions linked to Design and implement a source control strategy.
AZ-400 fundamentals practice questions
Practise AZ-400 questions linked to AZ-400 fundamentals.
AZ-400 scenario practice questions
Practise AZ-400 questions linked to AZ-400 scenario.
AZ-400 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise AZ-400 questions linked to AZ-400 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free AZ-400 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-400 question test?
Design and implement build and release pipelines — This question tests Design and implement build and release pipelines — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: pull_request: branches: [main] types: [opened] — Option A is correct because the `pull_request` trigger with `branches: [main]` and `types: [opened]` ensures the workflow runs only when a pull request targeting the `main` branch is newly opened. This is the precise trigger needed to deploy an ARM template upon PR creation, as it fires on the merge commit context without exposing secrets to untrusted forks.
What should I do if I get this AZ-400 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More AZ-400 practice questions
- You are configuring a release pipeline that deploys to multiple environments. You want to automate the deployment to the…
- You have a multi-stage YAML pipeline that deploys to a Linux-based Azure App Service. The pipeline uses a 'Deploy to Azu…
- Your Azure DevOps pipeline deploys a web app to Azure App Service using a YAML pipeline. The deployment fails intermitte…
- A team is migrating from TFVC to Git. They have a large codebase with many branches. What is the recommended approach to…
- A development team is transitioning from a centralized version control system to Git in Azure Repos. The team lead wants…
- A team uses Azure Boards to manage work items. They want to automatically update the state of a work item when a related…
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This AZ-400 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the AZ-400 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.