github-actions[bot] 403 🌿 Git

remote: Permission to owner/repo.git denied to github-actions[bot]. fatal: unable to access … The requested URL returned error: 403

A GitHub Actions workflow tried to push but the GITHUB_TOKEN doesn’t have write permission.

Seen on: Git

Meaning

New repositories/organisations default GITHUB_TOKEN to read-only. Grant contents: write in the workflow or repository settings.

Common causes

  • GITHUB_TOKEN read-only by default
  • Pushing to another repository (needs a PAT or app token)
  • Branch protection blocking the bot

⚡ Quick fix

  1. Add permissions: contents: write to the workflow/job
  2. Settings → Actions → Workflow permissions → Read and write
  3. Use a PAT/GitHub App token for other repos

Detailed fix by platform

Git

  1. bash
    permissions:
  contents: write

How to diagnose

  1. Token — Which token pushes?
  2. Permissions — contents: write?

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