Sometimes, it’s necessary to clean up your GitHub account — whether you’re archiving old projects, removing test repositories, or simply organizing your workspace. Deleting a GitHub repository is a straightforward process, but it’s important to understand what’s being removed and how to do it safely.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to delete a GitHub repository step by step, and highlight some important considerations before you hit that delete button.
⚠️ Before You Begin: Things to Know
Deleting a repository is permanent:
- All files, issues, pull requests, and commit history will be permanently removed.
- The repository URL will be made available for others to use.
- If the repository is private and has collaborators, they will lose access immediately.
💡 Tip: If you’re unsure, consider archiving the repository instead — it becomes read-only but is still accessible.
Step-by-Step: How to Delete a GitHub Repository
Step 1: Sign In to GitHub
Go to https://github.com and sign into your account.
Step 2: Navigate to the Repository
- Click on your profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Select “Your repositories”.
- Choose the repository you want to delete.
Step 3: Go to Repository Settings
- In your repo, click the Settings tab (usually far right).
- Scroll all the way down to the “Danger Zone” section.
Step 4: Delete the Repository
- Click the red “Delete this repository” button.
- GitHub will ask you to confirm by typing the repository name (e.g.,
username/repository-name). - Click “I understand the consequences, delete this repository”.
Once confirmed, the repository is permanently deleted.
Optional: Delete the Local Repository
Deleting a GitHub repo doesn’t affect your local project folder. If you want to remove that too:
rm -rf /path/to/your/local/repo
⚠️ This will permanently delete the folder and its contents. Use with caution.
Troubleshooting
🔒 “Delete” Button Not Visible?
You must be the repository owner or have admin permissions to delete a repository. Collaborators without proper access won’t see this option.
🛡️ Organization-Owned Repositories
If the repository belongs to an organization, only organization owners or admins can delete it. The process is the same, but permissions are stricter.
Final Thoughts
Deleting a GitHub repository is simple, but it’s a powerful action with permanent consequences. Always double-check that you’re deleting the correct repository, especially if you’re managing multiple projects.
If you’re just looking to pause work, consider archiving instead of deleting. But if you’re sure, now you know how to remove clutter and keep your GitHub clean and organized.
✅ Summary Checklist
| Task | Action |
|---|---|
| Access repository | Go to github.com/username/repo-name |
| Open settings | Click the Settings tab |
| Scroll to “Danger Zone” | Find the delete option |
| Confirm deletion | Type the repository name and confirm |
| Delete locally (optional) | Use rm -rf /your/local/repo |
