nf-co.re/nextflow_version returns empty JSON

[reidg44]

Describe the bug
On August 12, 2025, at 1:02PM EST, https://nf-co.re/nextflow_version returns a near-empty JSON response:

{"latest":{},"versions":[]}

The nf-core/setup-nextflow GitHub Action depends on this API call to get the latest stable version of Nextflow to install.

Without it, the GitHub Action fails:

##[debug]Downloading https://nf-co.re/nextflow_version
##[debug]download complete
Error: Could not retrieve Nextflow release matching latest-stable.
Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'version')
Error: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'downloadUrl')

From what I can tell, https://nf-co.re/nextflow_version relies on the GitHub API to fetch the latest versions. GitHub is currently experiencing a service degradation, which may explain the response.

flowchart TD
    A[GitHub Service Degradation] --> B[Error retrieving Nextflow releases versions via GitHub API]
    B --> C[nextflow_version returns JSON without versions]
    C --> D[nf-core/setup-nextflow retrieves JSON without versions]
    D --> E[Error running nf-core/setup-nextflow]

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To Reproduce
Steps to reproduce the behavior:

1. Go to 'https://nf-co.re/nextflow_version'

Expected behavior
A JSON response is returned with versions of NextFlow.

Screenshots
If applicable, add screenshots to help explain your problem.

Browser (please complete the following information):

• OS: MacOS
• Browser: Chrome
• Version: 139

Additional context
Recommend some version of caching responses when error with GitHub API.