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Issue with SourceTree while cloning a GitHub repository

I know that similar questions have already been posted here. However, I think my scenario is a bit different. Here is what I have.

I downloaded and installed the latest official version of the SourceTree software. Also, I have a GitHub account with permissions to clone and push the repository. In order to manage a local copy, I need to clone the online version. Here are the steps that I take:

  1. Start the SourceTree and navigate to File -> Clone / New ...

  2. In the opened window I paste the HTTPS clone URL. I copied it from the browser after I logged in to my GitHub account so the link is correct.

  3. The nest step is to specify a local folder where the repository will be copied. However, when I click to enter Destination Path, the window shows an error:

    This is not a valid source path / URL

    Clicking the error may give the following details:

    remote: Repository not found.
fatal: repository 'https://github.com/org/repo.git/' not found
remote: Repository not found.
fatal: repository 'https://github.com/org/repo.git/' not found

    Or the details may be empty. SourceTree does not tell me the reason for the error or anything else.

I tried to re-install SourceTree but the error still exists. I asked the Administration of the GitHub repository for any other permissions but my account has all of them. I am able to push changes to the online repository using the Terminal console but I would like to use a UI (that SourceTree provides) to manage and compare changes in the code.

One think I did not try is to clone the repository using another GtHub account. However, I don't want to do that because I need to commit any changes to the repository on my behalf.

Does anybody know how can this error be fixed or worked around?

Solution

  • The exact error message is (as illustrated here):

     This is not a valid source path / URL

    error message in sourcetree

    Possible cause:

    • proxy settings (as in this thread)
    • setup steps, with Git disabled (as in here)

      When SourceTree started for the first time, I skipped setting up Git & Mercurial in the wizard. Then I reran the wizard and chose to download and install the embedded packages.
      But it seems installing those didn't actually enable them - in the Tools -> Options dialogue they were both disabled!
      Enabling Mercurial (or Git in your case) allowed the clone dialogue to correctly identify the repo.

    • credential issues (as in here, from my old answwer)