Fix “fatal: unable to access ‘xxx’: The requested URL returned error: 403” in CI/CD

Ever hit a wall in your CI/CD pipeline with the error “fatal: unable to access ‘xxx’: The requested URL returned error: 403”? It’s frustrating, especially when your automated builds or deployments grind to a halt. This error means Git is denying access to the repository due to a permission issue (HTTP 403 Forbidden). Don’t worry—this guide will break down why this happens and walk you through how to fix Git 403 errors in CI/CD step-by-step. Whether you’re using GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, or another platform, we’ve got you covered with clear solutions tailored for beginners and seasoned developers alike.

By the end, you’ll know how to troubleshoot and resolve this error, ensuring your CI/CD pipelines run smoothly. Let’s dive in!

What Does the 403 Error Mean in CI/CD?

The Git 403 error occurs when Git tries to access a repository (e.g., during a clone, pull, or push) but the server rejects the request due to insufficient permissions. In a CI/CD context, this typically happens when your pipeline’s authentication credentials or configuration don’t align with the repository’s access requirements. The “xxx” in the error message is the repository URL, like https://github.com/username/repo.git.

Common Causes of the 403 Error in CI/CD

• Invalid or Expired Credentials: The access token or SSH key used by the CI/CD runner is incorrect, expired, or lacks proper permissions.
• Insufficient Repository Permissions: The account or token doesn’t have read/write access to the repository.
• Misconfigured CI/CD Settings: The pipeline’s configuration (e.g., .gitlab-ci.yml or GitHub Actions workflow) uses the wrong credentials or URL.
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Platforms like GitHub require tokens instead of passwords when 2FA is enabled.
• Network or Proxy Issues: A firewall, VPN, or proxy might block access, triggering a 403.
• Platform-Specific Restrictions: For example, GitLab’s CI/CD job token might lack access to certain repositories.

Understanding the cause is key to fixing the error. Let’s explore solutions for how to fix Git 403 errors in CI/CD.

Step-by-Step Solutions to Fix the Git 403 Error in CI/CD

1. Verify Authentication Credentials

Most 403 errors stem from authentication issues. CI/CD pipelines often use Personal Access Tokens (PATs), Deploy Keys, or CI/CD Job Tokens to access repositories. Here’s how to check and fix them:

For GitHub

• Check Your PAT:
  • Go to GitHub > Settings > Developer Settings > Personal Access Tokens > Tokens (classic).
  • Ensure the token has the repo scope (for private repositories) and workflow scope (for GitHub Actions).
  • If the token is expired or incorrect, generate a new one.
• Update the CI/CD Configuration:
  • In GitHub Actions, store the token as a secret (e.g., GITHUB_TOKEN or MY_PAT) in Settings > Secrets and variables > Actions > Secrets.
  • Update your workflow file (e.g., .github/workflows/ci.yml):steps: - uses: actions/checkout@v4 with: token: ${{ secrets.MY_PAT }}
• Clear Cached Credentials:
  • On Windows, open Credential Manager > Windows Credentials and remove entries like git:https://github.com.
  • On macOS, use Keychain Access to delete GitHub-related credentials.
  • On Linux, clear cached credentials with git credential-cache exit.

For GitLab

• Check Project Access Token:
  • Navigate to Settings > Access Tokens in your GitLab project.
  • Ensure the token has read_repository and write_repository permissions and a role of Developer or higher.
  • If the token lacks permissions, recreate it with the correct role.
• Update CI/CD Variables:
  • Store the token in Settings > CI/CD > Variables as a protected variable (e.g., GIT_TOKEN).
  • Update .gitlab-ci.yml to use the token:before_script: - git config --global user.email "ci-bot@example.com" - git config --global user.name "CI Bot" - git remote set-url origin https://oauth2:${GIT_TOKEN}@gitlab.com/group/project.git
• Allow Job Token Access:
  • Go to Settings > CI/CD > Token Access and ensure the repository is allowed to be accessed by the CI job token.

For Bitbucket

• Check App Password or PAT:
  • Go to Bitbucket > Account > Personal Access Tokens and create a token with Repositories: Write permissions.
  • Update your pipeline configuration (e.g., bitbucket-pipelines.yml) to use the token as a variable.
• Enable Basic Authentication:
  • Ensure “Allow basic authentication on API calls” is enabled in Bitbucket’s authentication settings.

For AWS CodeCommit

• Configure Credential Helper:
  • Ensure the CI runner has the AWS CodeCommit credential helper configured:git config --global credential.helper '!aws codecommit credential-helper $@' git config --global credential.UseHttpPath true
  • Verify the AWS IAM role used by the runner has AWSCodeCommitFullAccess permissions.
• Update Environment Variables:
  • Check that AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID, AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY, and AWS_DEFAULT_REGION are correctly set in the CI environment.

2. Check Repository Permissions

If credentials are valid, the issue might be with repository access:

• GitHub: Ensure the user or service account is a collaborator with write access (Settings > Collaborators and teams). For GitHub Actions, the default GITHUB_TOKEN has limited permissions; use a PAT for external repositories.
• GitLab: Verify the runner’s user or group has at least Developer access to the project. For cross-project pipelines, add the repository to Settings > CI/CD > Token Access.
• Bitbucket: Confirm the user or pipeline has write permissions at the project or repository level.
• Azure DevOps: Check that the service principal or PAT has access to the repository (Project Settings > Repositories > Permissions).

If permissions were recently changed, wait a few minutes, as some platforms (e.g., Bitbucket) may take time to propagate updates.

3. Use SSH Instead of HTTPS

HTTPS often causes 403 errors due to token issues. Switching to SSH can be more reliable:

• Generate an SSH Key (if not already present):ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "ci-bot@example.com"
• Add the Public Key:
  • GitHub: Settings > SSH and GPG keys > New SSH key.
  • GitLab: Settings > Repository > Deploy Keys.
  • Bitbucket: Repository Settings > SSH keys.
• Add the Private Key to CI/CD:
  • Store the private key as a secret (e.g., SSH_PRIVATE_KEY).
  • Configure the pipeline to use SSH:# Example for GitHub Actions steps: - name: Add SSH Key run: | mkdir -p ~/.ssh echo "${{ secrets.SSH_PRIVATE_KEY }}" > ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 chmod 600 ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 ssh-keyscan -t rsa github.com >> ~/.ssh/known_hosts - uses: actions/checkout@v4 with: ssh-key: ${{ secrets.SSH_PRIVATE_KEY }}
• Update Remote URL:git remote set-url origin git@platform.com:group/project.git

SSH avoids token expiration issues and is ideal for CI/CD.

4. Debug Network and Proxy Issues

Network restrictions can trigger 403 errors:

• Check Firewall/VPN:
  • Ensure the CI runner’s IP isn’t blocked by the Git platform.
  • Temporarily disable VPNs or proxies to test connectivity.
• Set Proxy in CI/CD:
  • If your runner uses a proxy, configure Git:git config --global http.proxy http://proxy-server:port
• Test Connectivity:
  • Run curl -v https://platform.com/repo.git from the runner to check for network errors.

If your ISP’s IP is blocked, try switching to a different DNS (e.g., Google’s 8.8.8.8).

5. Update Git and CI/CD Runner

Outdated Git versions or runners can cause compatibility issues:

• Update Git:
  • Check the version: git --version.
  • Upgrade to the latest version (e.g., 2.44 in 2025) using your package manager.
• Update Runner:
  • GitLab: Re-register the runner with gitlab-runner register.
  • GitHub: Update self-hosted runners in Settings > Actions > Runners.
  • Azure DevOps: Download the latest agent from the pipeline setup page.

6. Enable Verbose Logging for Debugging

If the issue persists, enable verbose logging to get more details:

• Run Git with verbose output:GIT_CURL_VERBOSE=1 git push
• Check CI/CD logs for specific error messages, like “Permission denied” or “Invalid token.”
• For GitLab, add debugging to .gitlab-ci.yml:before_script: - echo $CI_JOB_TOKEN - git config --global http.sslVerify false # Use cautiously

Verbose logs can reveal whether the issue is with credentials, permissions, or network settings.

Best Practices to Prevent Git 403 Errors in CI/CD

• Use SSH for Authentication: It’s more stable than HTTPS and avoids token expiration.
• Rotate Tokens Regularly: Set reminders to update PATs before they expire.
• Store Credentials Securely: Use CI/CD secrets or a credential manager like Git’s credential.helper.
• Limit Token Scopes: Grant only the necessary permissions to reduce security risks.
• Monitor Runner Permissions: Ensure runners have consistent access to repositories.
• Keep Tools Updated: Regularly update Git, runners, and CI/CD plugins.

Conclusion

The “fatal: unable to access ‘xxx’: The requested URL returned error: 403” error in CI/CD can be a showstopper, but it’s fixable. By verifying credentials, checking repository permissions, switching to SSH, and debugging network issues, you can get your pipeline back on track. Follow the steps above, and you’ll be pushing code in no time!

Call to Action: Still stuck? Drop a comment below or check your platform’s documentation for platform-specific quirks. Save this guide for your next CI/CD hiccup, and keep your pipelines running smoothly!

FAQs

What does “fatal: unable to access ‘xxx’: The requested URL returned error: 403” mean in CI/CD?

It means Git can’t access the repository due to a permission issue (HTTP 403 Forbidden). Common causes include invalid tokens, insufficient permissions, or network restrictions.

How do I fix a Git 403 error in GitHub Actions?

Check your Personal Access Token (PAT) for repo and workflow scopes, store it as a secret, and update your workflow to use it. Alternatively, switch to SSH authentication.

Why does my GitLab CI pipeline return a 403 error?

The CI job token or Project Access Token might lack read_repository or write_repository permissions. Ensure the token’s role is Developer or higher and the repository is allowed in Settings > CI/CD > Token Access.

Can I use HTTPS instead of SSH to avoid Git 403 errors?

Yes, but HTTPS requires valid tokens. SSH is more reliable for CI/CD as it avoids token expiration issues. Configure SSH keys in your pipeline for stability.

How do I debug a Git 403 error in my CI/CD pipeline?

Enable verbose logging with GIT_CURL_VERBOSE=1 git push, check CI/CD logs, and verify credentials, permissions, and network settings.