How Long Before I Can Reuse a Repository Name

[dknapp67]

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I've deleted a repository. I am trying to create a repository from my Debian box, and keep receiving the error "remote origin already exists." I currently have no repositories on my github profile. How long before I can use that name again?

[davevad93]

Hi @dknapp67 ,

I think about an hour, but I'm not totally sure, I say that because that's the waiting time needed to restore a deleted repo as stated in the docs:

• It can take up to an hour after a repository is deleted before that repository is available for restoration.

So I guess that's how long it takes for GitHub to list a repo as deleted.

[dknapp67]

Well, 24 hours and I am still receiving the error.

I am using the following command:
git remote add origin https://github.com/dknapp67/zero2prod.git

[davevad93]

Hey @dknapp67 that's odd, first of all make sure the remote and its references have been properly deleted by running git remote -v, if the repo origin is still listed, remove it by running git remote rm origin, run git remote -v again to make sure it's gone, you should now be able to run git remote add origin without any issues.

For more info, here's the official documentation about Managing remote repositories.

[princeajuzie7]

Here's how you can address this issue you are facing:

1. Check the current remote repository:
   You can check which remote repositories are currently configured in your local Git repository by running:

   git remote -v

2. Remove the existing remote origin:
   If you see an existing remote origin that you don't need, you can remove it using:

   git remote remove origin

3. Add the new remote origin:
   After removing the old remote origin, you can add a new one using:

   git remote add origin https://github.com/username/repository-name.git

Regarding the repository name availability on GitHub:

• Once you delete a repository from GitHub, the name becomes immediately available for reuse. You can create a new repository with the same name as soon as the deletion process is complete.

Here is a step-by-step guide to create a new repository and link it to your local directory:

1. Create a new repository on GitHub:
   Go to your GitHub profile, click on "New" to create a new repository, and give it the desired name.

2. Initialize your local directory as a Git repository (if it's not already):

   git init

3. Add your new remote repository:

   git remote add origin https://github.com/username/repository-name.git

4. Add and commit your files:

   git add .
   git commit -m "Initial commit"

5. Push your changes to GitHub:

   git push -u origin master

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the "remote origin already exists" error and successfully link your local repository to the new GitHub repository.

hope it was helpful

[dknapp67]

@princeajuzie7 This did it for me. Thank you!

[rudimusmaximus]

this does not seem to be the case when using the cli, i get "GraphQL: Name already exists on this account (createRepository)". So, i created a local repo and after a few commits mistakenly setup the new repo in my personal account, so i deleted it and removed the remote. Now when i attempt, "gh repo create intendedorg/reusedlocalname --private --source=. --remote=origin".

[rudimusmaximus]

this does not seem to be the case when using the cli, i get "GraphQL: Name already exists on this account (createRepository)". So, i created a local repo and after a few commits mistakenly setup the new repo in my personal account, so i deleted it and removed the remote. Now when i attempt, "gh repo create intendedorg/reusedlocalname --private --source=. --remote=origin".

anyone, else experience this with the gh cli? I'll try again in a bit.

[princeajuzie7]

hey @dknapp67 am happy it helped.