Git Change Remote URL (git remote set-url)

Git is a distributed version control system that is widely used for tracking changes in source code during software development. It allows developers to collaborate on projects and keep track of their changes without the need for a central repository.

Sometimes, it may be necessary to change the URL of a remote repository in a local Git repository. This can happen if the remote repository has been moved to a new location, if you want to use a different remote repository for your local project or if you want to change authentication methods like HTTPS to Git or vice versa.

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There are a few different ways to change the remote URL for a Git repository, depending on your needs. Here are the steps for each method:

Method 1: Using Command Line

The first method used the command line interface to manage the git repository. A majority of users manage git repositories using command line clients. Follow the below steps to change the remote git URL:

1. Open a terminal window (Git Bash on Windows, or any terminal emulator on macOS or Linux).
2. Change to the directory that contains the local Git repository.
3. Run the following command to view the current remote repository URL:

   git remote -v 
   

   This will display a list of all the remote repositories that are linked to your local repository, along with their URL.

4. To change the URL of a specific remote repository, use the following command:

   
   # Syntax
   git remote set-url  
   
   

   Replace <remote> with the name of the remote repository (usually origin), and <new_url> with the new URL that you want to use.

   For example, to change the URL of the “origin” repository to “https://new.url/repo.git”, you would run the following command:

   git remote set-url origin https://new.url/repo.git 
   

   You can also prefer to use SSH URL for your git repository.

5. Verify that the URL has been changed by running the `git remote -v` command again. You should see the new URL listed for the specified remote repository.

Method 2: Using the Git Configuration File

If you are not confident with the command line interface, this is another quick and easier method to change the remote git URL by editing the configuration file:

1. Open the “.git/config” file in a text editor. This file is located in the root directory of your local Git repository.
2. Find the section that corresponds to the remote repository that you want to change the URL for. It will look something like this:

   
   [remote "origin"]
       url = https://old.url/repo.git
       fetch = +refs/heads/*:refs/remotes/origin/*
   
   

3. Replace the url value with the new URL that you want to use. For example:

   
   [remote "origin"]
       url = https://new.url/repo.git
       fetch = +refs/heads/*:refs/remotes/origin/*
   
   

4. Save the “.git/config” file and close it.
5. Run the `git remote -v` command to verify that the URL has been changed.

Method 3: Using the Git GUI

If you prefer a graphical interface, you can also change the remote URL using a Git GUI (graphical user interface) tool. These instructions may differ depending on the GUI client.

1. Open the Git GUI tool and select the “Repository” menu.
2. From the “Repository” menu, select “Repository Settings…”.
3. In the “Repository Settings” window, select the “Remote” tab.
4. Select the remote repository that you want to change the URL for, and click the “Edit” button.
5. In the “Edit Remote” window, enter the new URL for the remote repository in the “URL” field.
6. Click the “Save” button to apply the changes.
7. Close the “Edit Remote” window and the “Repository Settings” window.

That’s it! The remote URL for your local Git repository should now be changed to the new URL that you specified.

Wrap Up

It’s important to note that changing the remote URL will not affect any of the local code in your repository. It only changes the location of the remote repository that your local repository is linked to. If you want to push your local changes to the new remote repository, you will need to use the git push command as usual.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions or need further clarification on any of the steps.