trying another solution

.github/workflows/dependencies/action.yml

@@ -59,14 +59,16 @@ runs:
           echo "Changed non-docs files: ${{ steps.changed-files-specific.outputs.other_modified_files }}"
           echo "Count of non-docs files changed: ${{ steps.changed-files-specific.outputs.other_modified_files_count }}"
           echo "If only-modified is triggered: ${{ steps.changed-files-specific.outputs.only_modified }}"
+          echo "other_modified_files_count=${{ steps.changed-files-specific.outputs.other_modified_files_count }}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
 
-      - name: Set output
-        shell: bash
-        run: echo "other_modified_files_count=${{ steps.changed-files-specific.outputs.other_modified_files_count }}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+      ## this did NOT work
+      # - name: Set output
+      #   shell: bash
+      #   run: echo "other_modified_files_count=${{ steps.changed-files-specific.outputs.other_modified_files_count }}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
 
       - name: Check saved output
         shell: bash
-        run: echo "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+        run: echo "GITHUB_OUTPUT:${{ GITHUB_OUTPUT }}"
 
       # This second step is unnecessary but highly recommended because
       # It will cache database and saves time re-downloading it if database isn't stale.