Actions are created, yes. It's not like a filter with a preset.

Experiment and CAREFULLY plan out exactly what you want your action to be in advance - it will help to write your procedures down in detail.

In the Actions Tab, you will see a little "double box" - click that FIRST to start to create a new Action.

Name it, and give it a Function Key so you can quickly access it later on (ex.: Shift + F3) - repeatability is what these are for.

Then click the Record Button to START recording your actions.

Go through the process of whatever you want it to do - ex.: Duplicate Layer, Change Layer Mode, Desaturate, Lower the Opacity, etc.

When you are done, click the STOP Button. Now you're finished, and every time you click (for example) Shift+F3 it will do exactly what you just saved as a set of steps.

Repeatability.

Hope this helps-

-Lew