How to delete a repository in GitHub?

 

Step 1: Sign in to your GitHub account

 

Before you can delete any repository, you must be authenticated. If you’re not already signed in:

• Open your web browser and go to https://github.com/.
• Enter your Username or email address and Password.
• Click on the Sign in button.

 

Step 2: Navigate to the repository you want to delete

 

Once signed in, locate the repository in one of these ways:

• From the GitHub homepage, click on your profile icon at the top-right and select Your repositories.
• From the left sidebar, click on the repository name under Recent repositories.
• Use the search bar at the top to search by repository name.

 

Step 3: Open the repository’s Settings page

 

On the repository main page:

• Click on the Settings tab in the navigation bar near the top of the page.

 

Step 4: Scroll down to the Danger Zone

 

The bottom of the Settings page contains critical actions:

• Scroll all the way down until you see the Danger Zone section highlighted in red.

 

Step 5: Initiate repository deletion

 

In the Danger Zone:

• Locate the Delete this repository button.
• Click on Delete this repository. A confirmation dialog will appear.

 

Step 6: Confirm repository name

 

To ensure you really want to delete:

• Read the warning text carefully; it will tell you exactly which repository is about to be deleted.
• Type the full repository name (for example username/repository-name) into the confirmation field.

 

Step 7: Finalize deletion

 

Once you’ve entered the name correctly:

• Click on the red I understand the consequences, delete this repository button.
• You may be prompted for your GitHub password or two-factor authentication code. Complete the prompt to proceed.

 

Step 8: (Optional) Deleting via GitHub REST API

 

You can also delete a repository programmatically using the GitHub API. For example, using curl:

curl -X DELETE \\
  -H "Accept: application/vnd.github+json" \\
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_PERSONAL_ACCESS\_TOKEN" \\
  https://api.github.com/repos/USERNAME/REPOSITORY-NAME

• Replace YOUR_PERSONAL_ACCESS\_TOKEN with a token that has repo scope.
• Replace USERNAME and REPOSITORY-NAME with your own values.
• A successful deletion returns HTTP status 204 No Content.

 

Step 9: Verify that the repository is gone

 

After deletion completes:

• Try visiting the repository URL in your browser; you should see a 404 page.
• Check your Your repositories list; the deleted repository should no longer appear.