Git

Git push error: “origin does not appear to be a git repository”

By default, Git Local repository is not associated with any remote repository. If developers want to push made modifications to a GitHub hosting service without specifying its destination, they will encounter the error “origin does not appear to be a git repository“. To fix this issue, it is required to set the remote URL.

This blog will discuss:

So, let’s start!

When “origin does not appear to be a git repository” Error Occurs?

The above-listed error occurs when the developers push the local branch to the Git remote repository. To give you a better understanding, we will first show the error and then provide the solution to fix it.

Now, let’s move toward and check out the steps!

Step 1: Navigate to Particular Repository

Run the “cd” command and move to the desired Git local repository:

$ cd "C:\Users\nazma\Git\mari_khan"

Step 2: Initialize Repository

Then, initialize the empty Git repository using the “git init” command:

$ git init

Step 3: Copy Remote URL

Next, go to the GitHub hosting service. Open desired remote repository, click on the below-highlighted button and copy the HTTPS URL:

Step 4: Clone Repository

Execute the “git clone” command with the URL to clone the remote repository into the local repository:

$ git clone https://github.com/GitUser0422/demo5.git

Step 5: Create New Local File

Create a new file in the local repository by utilizing the provided command:

$ touch file1.txt

Step 6: Track Newly Created File

Next, execute the following command to track the file in the Git staging area:

$ git add file1.txt

Step 7: Commit Changes to Repository

Commit all the made changes to the local repository through the below-listed command:

$ git commit -m "First file added"

Step 8: Push Local Branch

Execute the “git push” command with the remote name and the local branch to push the local branch to the remote repository:

$ git push origin master

As a result, we will get the specified error:

Now, let’s check out the solution to the above-encountered fatal error.

How to Fix Git push error: “origin does not appear to be a git repository” Quickly?

To fix the Git push error quickly, follow the below-listed steps.

Step 1: Check Remote URL List

First, run the “git remote” command with the “-v” option to check the list of remote URLs:

$ git remote -v

According to the below-given output, the remote URL list is empty:

Step 2: Copy Remote URL

Next, go to the GitHub hosting service and select the remote repository. Click on the below-highlighted button and copy its URL:

Step 3: Add New Remote URL

Now, add the copied remote URL by executing the “git remote add origin” command:

$ git remote add origin https://github.com/GitUser0422/demo5.git

Step 4: Verify Added Remote URL

Run the “git remote” command with the “-v” option to verify the added remote URL:

$ git remote -v

Step 5: Git Pull

Now, fetch and download the remote repository content. Then, immediately update the Git local repository using the “git pull” command:

$ git pull

Step 6: Push Local Branch

Finally, run the “git push origin” command with the local branch to push into the remote repository:

$ git push origin master

As you can see, after adding the remote URL, the encountered error is fixed:

That’s all! We have efficiently demonstrated the solution to fix the Git push error.

Conclusion

While pushing the local branch to the GitHub hosting service, sometimes Git users get the Git push error. To resolve this issue, check the list of existing remote URLs, then go to the remote repository and copy its URL to the clipboard. Next, verify the added remote URL, and fetch and download remote repository content. Lastly, run the “$ git push origin <branch-name>” command. This blog demonstrated when the mentioned error occurs and how to resolve it.

About the author

Maria Naz

I hold a master's degree in computer science. I am passionate about my work, exploring new technologies, learning programming languages, and I love to share my knowledge with the world.