[ubuntu-image] Add Ubuntu Actions Runner Image Analysis Documentation

[github-actions]

Ubuntu Actions Runner Image Analysis Update

This PR adds comprehensive documentation analyzing the default Ubuntu Actions runner image (ubuntu-latest based on Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS).

Changes

• Created: research/ubuntulatest.md - Complete analysis of the Ubuntu 24.04 runner image
• Source: Ubuntu 24.04 Runner Image Documentation
• Image Version: 20260201.15.1
• Analysis Date: 2026-02-14

Documentation Includes

Software Inventory

• Operating System: Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS (Kernel 6.11.0-1018-azure)
• Language Runtimes: Node.js, Python, Ruby, Go, Java, PHP, Rust, Swift, Kotlin, Julia
• Container Tools: Docker 28.0.4, Docker Compose 2.38.2, Podman, Buildah, Skopeo
• Kubernetes Tools: kubectl, helm, minikube, kind, kustomize
• Build Tools: CMake, Make, Gradle, Maven, Ant, Bazel
• Databases: PostgreSQL 16.11, MySQL 8.0.44, SQLite 3.45.1
• CI/CD Tools: GitHub CLI 2.86.0, AWS CLI, Azure CLI, Google Cloud CLI
• Browsers & Testing: Chrome, Firefox, Edge with Selenium 4.40.0

Practical Guidance

• Complete Dockerfile Examples: Working Dockerfiles to mimic the runner environment
• Installation Instructions: Step-by-step guides for each major tool category
• Environment Variables: Comprehensive list of key environment variables
• Key Differences: Important aspects that cannot be replicated in custom images
• Maintenance Recommendations: How to keep custom images up-to-date
• Use Cases: Local development, self-hosted runners, CI/CD testing

Benefits

This documentation helps developers:

1. Understand the runner environment - Know exactly what tools are available
2. Create custom Docker images - Replicate the runner environment locally or for self-hosted runners
3. Troubleshoot workflow issues - Identify version mismatches and missing dependencies
4. Plan tool usage - Make informed decisions about which tools to use in workflows
5. Maintain compatibility - Keep custom environments in sync with GitHub's runners

Analysis Methodology

1. Discovered runner documentation URL from recent GitHub Actions workflow logs
2. Downloaded complete documentation from actions/runner-images repository
3. Analyzed and categorized all installed software, tools, and configurations
4. Created practical Dockerfiles with working examples for common use cases
5. Documented key differences between official runners and custom images
6. Provided maintenance guidelines for keeping images current

File Size & Structure

• File Size: ~24KB of comprehensive documentation
• Sections: 15 major sections covering all aspects of the runner
• Code Examples: Multiple working Dockerfile examples
• References: Links to official documentation for all major tools

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Automatically generated by the Ubuntu Actions Image Analyzer workflow

AI generated by Ubuntu Actions Image Analyzer

• expires on Feb 16, 2026, 6:30 AM UTC