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This version of GitHub Enterprise was discontinued on 2021-06-09. No patch releases will be made, even for critical security issues. For better performance, improved security, and new features, upgrade to the latest version of GitHub Enterprise. For help with the upgrade, contact GitHub Enterprise support.

Article version: Enterprise Server 2.21
Article version: Enterprise Server 2.21

Caching your GitHub credentials in Git

If you're cloning GitHub Enterprise Server repositories using HTTPS, we recommend you use Git Credential Manager Core (GCM Core) to remember your credentials.

Tip: If you clone GitHub Enterprise Server repositories using SSH, then you can authenticate using an SSH key instead of using other credentials. For information about setting up an SSH connection, see "Generating an SSH Key."

Git Credential Manager Core (GCM Core) is our recommended way to store your credentials securely and connect to GitHub over HTTPS. With GCM Core, you don't have to manually create and store a PAT, as GCM Core manages authentication on your behalf, including 2FA (two-factor authentication).

  1. Install Git using Homebrew:

    $ brew install git

  2. Install GCM Core using Homebrew:

    $ brew tap microsoft/git
$ brew install --cask git-credential-manager-core

    For MacOS, you don't need to run git config because GCM Core automatically configures Git for you.

The next time you clone an HTTPS URL that requires authentication, Git will prompt you to log in using a browser window. You may first be asked to authorize an OAuth app. If your account or organization requires two-factor auth, you'll also need to complete the 2FA challenge.

Once you've authenticated successfully, your credentials are stored in the macOS keychain and will be used every time you clone an HTTPS URL. Git will not require you to type your credentials in the command line again unless you change your credentials.

  1. Install Git for Windows, which includes GCM Core. For more information, see "Git for Windows releases" from its releases page.

We recommend always installing the latest version. At a minimum, install version 2.29 or higher, which is the first version offering OAuth support for GitHub.

The next time you clone an HTTPS URL that requires authentication, Git will prompt you to log in using a browser window. You may first be asked to authorize an OAuth app. If your account or organization requires two-factor auth, you'll also need to complete the 2FA challenge.

Once you've authenticated successfully, your credentials are stored in the Windows credential manager and will be used every time you clone an HTTPS URL. Git will not require you to type your credentials in the command line again unless you change your credentials.


Warning: Older versions of Git for Windows came with Git Credential Manager for Windows. This older product is no longer supported and cannot connect to GitHub via OAuth. We recommend you upgrade to the latest version of Git for Windows.

For Linux, install Git and GCM Core, then configure Git to use GCM Core.

  1. Install Git from your distro's packaging system. Instructions will vary depending on the flavor of Linux you run.

  2. Install GCM Core. See the instructions in the GCM Core repo, as they'll vary depending on the flavor of Linux you run.

  3. Configure Git to use GCM Core. There are several backing stores that you may choose from, so see the GCM Core docs to complete your setup. For more information, see "GCM Core Linux."

The next time you clone an HTTPS URL that requires authentication, Git will prompt you to log in using a browser window. You may first be asked to authorize an OAuth app. If your account or organization requires two-factor auth, you'll also need to complete the 2FA challenge.

Once you've authenticated successfully, your credentials are stored on your system and will be used every time you clone an HTTPS URL. Git will not require you to type your credentials in the command line again unless you change your credentials.

For more options for storing your credentials on Linux, see Credential Storage in Pro Git.


For more information or to report issues with GCM Core, see the official GCM Core docs at "Git Credential Manager Core."