Blacksmith


ℹ️(2025-08-25T11:11.315Z)
Perplexity Query
(2025-08-25T11:11
.315Z)
Question:
Blacksmith.sh is a CI company. What does it do?

Response from sonar-pro:

Blacksmith.sh is a cloud CI (continuous integration) platform designed to dramatically speed up and optimize GitHub Actions workflows, enabling software teams to run their CI/CD pipelines much faster and at a lower cost compared to traditional providers. [kbhtd9] [ckzkr9] [8mk9js] Blacksmith focuses on providing:
  • Faster CI performance: It claims to run GitHub Actions jobs up to 2x faster, download caches 4x faster, and build Docker images as much as 40x faster, while also eliminating queue times. [kbhtd9] [8mk9js]
  • Cost efficiency: Teams report saving up to 75% in CI/CD costs, in part due to Blacksmith’s efficient runner infrastructure and straightforward migration process from other CI platforms. [ckzkr9] [8mk9js]
  • Easy migration and integration: Blacksmith is built to work seamlessly with codebases already using GitHub Actions, requiring minimal code changes to switch. [ckzkr9] [8mk9js] The platform includes a migration wizard that enables switching in minutes, and offers robust documentation and support. [12mncc]
Key Use Cases and Customers
  • Companies use Blacksmith.sh to speed up unit tests, integration tests, and complex workflows that previously took significantly longer on other platforms. [8mk9js]
  • Blacksmith’s fast runners and competitive pricing make it particularly attractive to AI development teams and high-growth startups striving to optimize their build and deployment times. [pr7xus] [ckzkr9]
Business Impact
  • Reduced build times translate directly into higher developer productivity and faster shipping of features. [8mk9js] [kbhtd9] For example, customer stories highlight CI jobs completing in less than half the previous time, allowing for increased testing and deployment frequency. [8mk9js]
  • Blacksmith supports organizations ranging from individual developers to enterprises, with a scalable offering and detailed documentation for troubleshooting, performance tuning, and security practices. [12mncc] [kbhtd9]
FeatureBlacksmith.sh BenefitTraditional CI Platforms
GitHub Actions SupportNative, acceleratedStandard
Migration EffortMinutes (with migration wizard)Varies, usually higher
Build SpeedUp to 2x fasterSlower, more queue time
Cost SavingsUp to 75% reductionHigher operating costs
Docker/Image Build SpeedUp to 40x fasterTypically slower
User ExperienceIntuitive dashboard, minimal frictionMore friction, slower
A diagram could show the difference in CI/CD pipeline speeds, highlighting Blacksmith’s optimized runners compared to standard GitHub-hosted runners.
A workflow example: a developer pushes code → GitHub Actions triggers → jobs run on Blacksmith runners → tests and builds complete in half the time → faster releases.
A comparative bar graph showing CI job durations and costs with and without Blacksmith for multiple teams or projects.
In summary, Blacksmith.sh is a performance- and cost-optimized cloud platform for running GitHub Actions CI/CD pipelines, trusted by high-growth tech companies and AI teams to deliver faster builds, lower costs, and a seamless developer experience. [kbhtd9] [pr7xus] [8mk9js] [ckzkr9]

Citations

[8mk9js] 2025, Jul 26. How Upbound merges and ships code faster by speeding up their .... Published: 2025-01-01 | Updated: 2025-07-26

[ckzkr9] 2025, Aug 21. Blacksmith Pricing | Fast GitHub Actions with Up to 75% Cost Savings. Published: 2025-01-01 | Updated: 2025-08-21

[12mncc] 2025, Aug 22. Blacksmith Support | GitHub Actions Help & Documentation. Published: 2025-01-01 | Updated: 2025-08-22

[kbhtd9] 2025, Jul 16. Blacksmith: The Fastest Way to Run GitHub Actions. Published: 2025-01-01 | Updated: 2025-07-16