Solving GitHub Permission Denied

Solving GitHub Permission Denied

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Troubleshooting GitHub Permission Denied Public Key Issue 2.1 Using the HTTPS URL 2.1.1 Cloning the GitHub Repository 2.2 Using SSH Keys 2.2.1 Generating SSH Keys 2.2.2 Adding the SSH Key to GitHub
3. Conclusion

Troubleshooting GitHub Permission Denied Public Key Issue

GitHub is a popular platform for version control and collaboration on software projects. However, sometimes users may encounter issues when trying to clone a GitHub repository due to permissions denied by the public key. This article will guide You through the steps to troubleshoot and resolve this issue. We will discuss two approaches: using the HTTPS URL and using SSH keys.

Using the HTTPS URL To avoid the permission denied issue, one approach is to use the HTTPS URL for cloning your GitHub repository. Follow these steps:

Cloning the GitHub Repository

1. Go to your GitHub repository and click on the green "Code" button.
2. In the dropdown, select the HTTPS option.
3. Copy the HTTPS URL provided.
4. Open your terminal and navigate to the directory where you want to clone the repository.
5. Enter the command git clone followed by the copied HTTPS URL.
6. Press enter and provide your GitHub username and password when prompted.
7. The repository will be cloned successfully, and you can verify it by running the command ls.

The drawback of using the HTTPS URL is that you need to provide your username and password every time you use a git command.

Using SSH Keys Using SSH keys is a more secure and convenient approach to clone your GitHub repository without providing a username and password repeatedly. Follow these steps:

Generating SSH Keys

1. Create your SSH keys by running the command ssh-keygen in your terminal.
2. You will be prompted for the name of your SSH key. You can press enter to use the default name.
3. Optionally, you can assign a passphrase for added security. Press enter if you choose to skip this step.
4. Your SSH keys will be generated and saved in a specific directory. Make note of the path to your SSH keys.

Adding the SSH Key to GitHub

1. Copy the content of your public SSH key by running the command cat <path-to-ssh-key>. The public key file name is typically id_rsa.pub.
2. Go to your GitHub account settings and navigate to the SSH and GPG keys section.
3. Click on the "New SSH Key" button.
4. Paste the content of your public SSH key into the designated field and provide a suitable name for the key.
5. Click on "Add SSH Key" to add the key to your GitHub account.

Now, let's try cloning the repository again to see if the issue is resolved.

1. Open your terminal and navigate to the directory where you want to clone the repository.
2. Enter the command git clone followed by the GitHub URL (the one starting with git@github.com).
3. Press enter and confirm that your SSH key is being used for authentication.
4. The repository will be cloned successfully, and you can verify it by running the command ls.

In conclusion, this article provided solutions to troubleshoot the GitHub permission denied public key issue. You can choose to use the HTTPS URL or SSH keys for cloning your GitHub repository, depending on your preference for security and convenience. Remember to follow the appropriate steps and ensure that your SSH key is properly added to your GitHub account.

Highlights:

• Troubleshooting the GitHub permission denied public key issue.
• Two approaches: using the HTTPS URL and using SSH keys.
• Cloning a GitHub repository using the HTTPS URL.
• Generating and adding SSH keys for secure authentication.
• Resolving the permission denied issue by using SSH keys.
• Pros: SSH keys provide a more secure and convenient way to authenticate without username and password.
• Cons: Using the HTTPS URL requires providing the username and password repeatedly.

FAQ:

Q: What is the AdVantage of using SSH keys instead of the HTTPS URL? A: SSH keys offer a more secure and convenient way to authenticate without the need to provide a username and password every time you use a Git command.

Q: Can I use SSH keys for all my GitHub repositories? A: Yes, you can use the same SSH key for multiple repositories on GitHub.

Q: How do I know if my SSH key is properly added to my GitHub account? A: After adding your SSH key to your GitHub account, you can try cloning a repository using the SSH URL. If the cloning process is successful without asking for a username and password, your SSH key is properly added.

Q: Can I switch from using the HTTPS URL to SSH keys for an existing cloned repository? A: Yes, you can update the repository's remote URL to use SSH instead of HTTPS. Use the git remote set-url command to update the remote URL.

Q: What happens if I lose access to my SSH key? A: If you lose access to your SSH key or the private part of the key pair, you will need to generate a new pair and add the new public key to your GitHub account.

Q: Can I use HTTPS and SSH interchangeably for cloning and pushing to a GitHub repository? A: Yes, you can switch between HTTPS and SSH URLs based on your preference and the availability of the necessary authentication credentials.