How to Change the GitHub Repository Link in Linux

Changing the GitHub repository link might sound like a technical task, but it’s actually quite simple once you understand the steps. Whether you’re moving a project to a new repository, switching from HTTPS to SSH, or updating a remote URL after a repo name change, this guide will walk you through the entire process in a clear, beginner-friendly way.

Why Would You Need to Change a GitHub Repository Link?

Before we dive into the how, let’s understand the why. There are several common reasons developers and teams need to update a repository’s URL:

• The repository was moved to a new GitHub account or organization.
• The repository name was changed.
• You switched from HTTPS to SSH (or vice versa) for authentication.
• You cloned the wrong repo and need to connect to a new one.
• You’re using a fork and want to change the upstream repository.

Whatever your reason, changing the GitHub repository link is an essential skill for anyone working with Git and GitHub.

What is a Remote URL in Git?

A remote URL is the address of your GitHub repository. When you clone a repo, Git saves a reference to the source location, typically named origin. This is where Git pushes your commits or pulls new updates from. If this URL changes, Git needs to know about it—otherwise, your push/pull commands won’t work.

How to View Your Current Remote URL

Before making any changes, checking your existing remote URL is a good idea. You can do this using the following Git command in your terminal:

git remote -v

This will display something like:

origin  https://github.com/your-username/your-repo.git (fetch)
origin  https://github.com/your-username/your-repo.git (push)

This shows the current URL that Git is using for fetching and pushing.

Steps to Change the GitHub Repository Link

Now, let’s go through the process of updating your GitHub repository link.

1. Open Your Terminal or Command Line Tool

Make sure you are inside your project directory. You can navigate using the cd command. For example:

cd my-project-folder

2. Use the git remote set-url Command

This is the main command used to update the remote repository link.

git remote set-url origin NEW_URL

Replace NEW_URL with the new link to your repository. For example:

git remote set-url origin https://github.com/your-new-username/your-new-repo.git

Or, if you prefer using SSH:

git remote set-url origin [email protected]:your-new-username/your-new-repo.git

3. Verify the Change

Once you’ve updated the URL, it’s important to check that it was applied correctly. Run:

git remote -v

You should now see the updated link listed under origin.

Optional: Add a New Remote Instead of Replacing

In some cases, you might want to keep the old remote and add a new one (for example, if you’re contributing to a forked project). You can do this with:

git remote add new-remote-name NEW_URL

Example:

git remote add upstream https://github.com/original-author/original-repo.git

Now you can pull changes from the upstream remote while pushing your changes to your own fork (origin).

Switching Between HTTPS and SSH URLs

Many developers switch between HTTPS and SSH depending on their workflow and security preferences. Here’s a quick overview of each:

• HTTPS: Requires username and password (or personal access token) for authentication.
• SSH: Uses a secure key pair for authentication, often preferred for frequent contributors.

To switch, just follow the git remote set-url command and use the corresponding URL format.

Common Issues and How to Fix Them

If you run into problems after changing the repository link, here are some things to check:

• Authentication errors: Make sure your SSH key is added to your GitHub account, or you’re using a valid personal access token for HTTPS.
• Permission denied: You might be trying to push to a repo you don’t have write access to.
• URL typos: Double-check that the new URL is correct and points to an existing GitHub repo.

Final Thoughts

Changing a GitHub repository link is a basic but powerful Git skill. Whether you’re working solo or collaborating with a team, knowing how to update your remote URL helps you stay connected to your codebase and avoid frustrating errors.

By following the steps above, you can smoothly update your GitHub repo link in just a few minutes. Keep your Git workflow organized and efficient by regularly checking and updating your remote URLs when needed.

Pro Tip: Bookmark this guide or save the command snippets somewhere handy. You never know when you’ll need to update your GitHub repository link again!

Here’s a simple Git Command Cheat Sheet to help you with your daily Git tasks — perfect for beginners and pros alike.

🔥 Git Command Cheat Sheet

🔍 Check Current Repository Info

git remote -v

View the current remote repository URLs.

🔄 Change the Remote Repository URL

git remote set-url origin NEW_URL

Update the link to your GitHub repo.

➕ Add a New Remote Repository

git remote add NAME URL

Example:

git remote add upstream https://github.com/original/repo.git

❌ Remove a Remote Repository

git remote remove NAME

Example:

git remote remove origin

📥 Clone a Repository

git clone URL

Example:

git clone https://github.com/your-name/your-repo.git

✅ Initialize a Git Repository

git init

Start tracking a local project with Git.

💾 Add Files to Staging

git add .

Add all changes to staging.

📝 Commit Changes

git commit -m "Your commit message"

Save your staged changes with a message.

📤 Push Changes to GitHub

git push origin branch-name

Example:

git push origin main

📥 Pull Latest Changes

git pull origin branch-name

Update your local code with changes from GitHub.

🔧 Check Status of Files

git status

See which files have been changed.

🕒 View Commit History

git log

Check all past commits.