What should I do if I encounter a '403 Forbidden' error when cloning a GitHub repository?
This error often indicates permission issues. Verify your GitHub account's access and use the correct authentication method.
A '403 Forbidden' error when cloning a GitHub repository generally indicates that your GitHub account lacks the necessary permissions to access the repository or that authentication was unsuccessful. First, verify that you are logged in with an account that has access to the repository, especially if it’s private or restricted. If using HTTPS, check that your GitHub username and password (or a personal access token if 2FA is enabled) are correct, and if cloning with SSH, ensure your SSH keys are properly linked to your GitHub account. You can add your SSH key under Settings > SSH and GPG keys on GitHub. With the right permissions and authentication, the 403 error should no longer occur, allowing seamless repository access.
