should now checkout branches correctly

.github/workflows/update-timestamps.yml

@@ -13,13 +13,31 @@ jobs:
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v2
 
+      - name: Check automation branch exists
+        id: auto-branch-check
+        run: |
+          git fetch
+          branches=$(git branch -r)
+          set +e
+          echo $branches | grep auto/bump-timestamps
+          echo "branch_exists=$?" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+
+      - name: Create automation branch
+        if: ${{ steps.auto-branch-check.outputs.branch_exists }} == 1
+        run: |
+          git checkout -b auto/bump-timestamps
+          git config --global --add --bool push.autoSetupRemote true
+          git push
+
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v2
+        with:
+          ref: auto/bump-timestamps
+
       - name: Check for updated Ark timestamps and replace in defaults.yml
         run: |
           dev/setup-env.sh
           . venv/bin/activate
           . environments/.stackhpc/activate
-          git checkout auto/bump-timestamps || git checkout -b auto/bump-timestamps
-          git pull origin auto/bump-timestamps
           ansible-playbook ansible/ci/update_timestamps.yml -v
 
       - name: Check if timestamps were changed
@@ -56,6 +74,8 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v2
+        with:
+          ref: auto/bump-timestamps
 
       - name: Bump CI with new images
         run: |