- A
pull_request: branches: [main]
Why wrong: Triggers on all PR events (opened, synchronized, etc.), not just merge.
- B
pull_request: types: [closed] branches: [main]
Triggers only when a PR is closed (merged) to main.
- C
push: branches: [main]
Why wrong: Triggers on every push to main, including direct pushes, not just PR merges.
- D
release: types: [published]
Why wrong: Triggers on release publication, not PR merge.
Question 643 of 928
GitHub Actions Trigger on Pull Request Merge
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.
Your team uses GitHub Actions for CI/CD. You want to automatically deploy to Azure App Service whenever a pull request is merged to the main branch. Which event trigger should you use in the GitHub Actions workflow?
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: types: [closed] branches: [main]
Option B is correct because the `pull_request` event with `types: [closed]` and `branches: [main]` triggers the workflow only when a pull request targeting the main branch is closed (which includes merges). This ensures deployment occurs specifically upon merge, not on other pull request activities like opening or synchronizing.
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]
Why it's wrong here
Triggers on all PR events (opened, synchronized, etc.), not just merge.
- ✓
pull_request: types: [closed] branches: [main]
Why this is correct
Triggers only when a PR is closed (merged) to main.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
push: branches: [main]
Why it's wrong here
Triggers on every push to main, including direct pushes, not just PR merges.
- ✗
release: types: [published]
Why it's wrong here
Triggers on release publication, not PR merge.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse `pull_request` with `push` triggers, assuming a push to main is equivalent to a merge, but the exam tests the precise requirement of 'when a pull request is merged' versus any push or any pull request activity.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, GitHub Actions evaluates the `pull_request` event with `types: [closed]` and then checks the `merged` field in the payload to distinguish between a merge (pull request closed with merge commit) and a closed-without-merge (e.g., declined). This allows conditional logic like `if: github.event.pull_request.merged == true` to ensure deployment only on merges. A real-world scenario is a team that requires all code to go through PR review and merge, so using `push` on main would allow bypassing this process, while `pull_request` with `closed` and a merge check enforces the policy.
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.
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Design and implement build and release pipelines — study guide chapter
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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: types: [closed] branches: [main] — Option B is correct because the `pull_request` event with `types: [closed]` and `branches: [main]` triggers the workflow only when a pull request targeting the main branch is closed (which includes merges). This ensures deployment occurs specifically upon merge, not on other pull request activities like opening or synchronizing.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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