How To How to Convert a GitHub Private Repository to Public: Step-by-Step Guide

David Mentgen
TestingOnProd
Published in
3 min readApr 7, 2023

GitHub is a popular platform used by developers for hosting and collaborating on projects. One of the key features of GitHub is the ability to make repositories public or private. Private repositories are only visible to the owner and collaborators, while public repositories can be viewed by anyone. In this article, we will walk you through the steps required to convert a GitHub repository from private to public.

Step 1: Navigate to the repository settings

The first step is to navigate to the repository settings. To do this, go to the repository page on GitHub and click on the “Settings” button.

Step 2: Navigate down to the “Danger Zone”

Once you are on the repository settings page, scroll down to the bottom of the page. You will see a section titled “Danger Zone”. Click on the “Make public” button.

Step 3: Confirm the change

A pop-up window will appear asking you to confirm the change. Click on the “I understand, make this repository public” button to confirm the change.

Step 4: Update the repository visibility

After confirming the change, GitHub will update the repository visibility. The repository will now be visible to everyone, and anyone can clone, fork, or contribute to it.

Step 5: Review the repository content

Now that your repository is public, it’s a good idea to review the content of the repository to ensure that there is nothing sensitive or private in the code. If there is sensitive information, such as API keys or passwords, it’s important to remove them from the code.

Step 6: Update collaborators

If you had collaborators on the private repository, you may want to update them on the change. They will no longer be the only ones with access to the code, so it’s important to let them know.

In conclusion, converting a GitHub repository from private to public is a straightforward process. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily make your repository visible to everyone. However, it’s important to remember to review the content of the repository and remove any sensitive information before making the repository public.

Originally published at http://testingonprod.com on April 7, 2023.

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