Github actions not working after npm start - node.js

Question

I have a very simple config in order to run e2e tests with Cypress using Github Actions in a Nextjs app. When it reaches the npm start command, although it seems to work since it gives the correct output: > Ready on http://localhost:3000, the step stays in pending state without ever advancing to the next step.
Any suggestions on how to fix this?
Following github actions config (.github/workflows/nodejs.yml):
name: Node CI
on: [push]
jobs:
build:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
strategy:
matrix:
node-version: [8.x, 10.x, 12.x]
steps:
- uses: actions/checkout#v1
- name: Use Node.js ${{ matrix.node-version }}
uses: actions/setup-node#v1
with:
node-version: ${{ matrix.node-version }}
- name: npm install, build, and test
run: |
npm ci
npm run build --if-present
npm start
npx wait-on http://localhost:3000
env:
CI: true
- name: Run Cypress
run: |
npx cypress run
env:
CI: true

Answer 1

Using the control operator & works for me. Try the following.
- name: npm install, build, and test
run: |
npm ci
npm run build --if-present
npm start & npx wait-on http://localhost:3000
env:
CI: true
From man bash
If a command is terminated by the control operator &, the shell executes the command in
the background in a subshell. The shell does not wait for the command to finish, and the
return status is 0. These are referred to as asynchronous commands. Commands separated
by a ; are executed sequentially; the shell waits for each command to terminate in turn.
The return status is the exit status of the last command executed.