# CI Optimization: Path-Based Triggers to Reduce Action Spend

## Problem
Repository metrics showed a massive surge in GitHub Action minutes (+5198 min in a short period). Investigation revealed that heavy CI (`ci.yml`) and E2E (`trigger_e2e.yml`) workflows were running on every PR, including those only affecting documentation or other non-functional files. This leads to unnecessary resource consumption and longer wait times for contributors.

## Changes
- **Implemented Path Filters**: Added `paths-ignore` to `ci.yml` and `trigger_e2e.yml` for non-functional files (docs, markdown, templates, etc.).
- **Sharded Content Checks**: Created a new, lightweight `.github/workflows/content-check.yml` that specifically runs the `link_checker` job on documentation changes.
- **Improved Workflow Robustness**: Fixed quoting in the `ci.yml` strategy matrix to satisfy both `yamllint` and `actionlint`.
- **Refined Rollup Logic**: Updated the `ci` rollup job in `ci.yml` to remove the dependency on the now-sharded `link_checker`.

## Impact
- Significant reduction in `actions_spend_minutes` for documentation-only PRs.
- Reduced resource pressure on the 16-core runners.
- Faster feedback for contributors making minor updates.
- Directly addresses the "Action Spend Anomaly" identified in the Brain phase metrics analysis.

.github/workflows/trigger_e2e.yml

@@ -12,6 +12,17 @@ on:
         required: false
         type: 'string'
   pull_request:
+    paths-ignore:
+      - 'docs/**'
+      - '**/*.md'
+      - '.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/**'
+      - '.github/pull_request_template.md'
+      - '.gitignore'
+      - '.editorconfig'
+      - 'LICENSE'
+      - 'CONTRIBUTING.md'
+      - 'ROADMAP.md'
+      - 'SECURITY.md'
 
 jobs:
   save_repo_name: