No matter what I do, I can't push to my repository. Simple learning code. Getting To https://github.com/{repository} ! [remote rejected] main -> main (push declined due to repository rule violations) error: failed to push some refs to {repository}

[cunhajo-code]

So I have deleted repository, even deleted my personal GitHub account and recreated, not avial. I even Chat GPT usinfg explectives at this point. Help!

To https://github.com/cunhajo-code/nodejs-express-mongodb-bootcamp.git
! [remote rejected] main -> main (push declined due to repository rule violations)
error: failed to push some refs to 'https://github.com/cunhajo-code/nodejs-express-mongodb-bootcamp.git'

I get the following message EVERY TIME it try to push to a repository with this simple learning code from a Udemy course. WHy? WHat Am I doing wrong . An entire day with Open AI helping, still getting this nonsense. I have used github before, not an expert, but this makes me want to go drive an uber!
ANY SUGGESTIONS APPRECIATED!

[AyushSingh360]

hey @cunhajo-code here are the steps you can check

The Problem: GitHub Security Rules

Turns out GitHub now blocks pushes that look like you're committing sensitive data, even if it's obviously fake stuff from a tutorial.

In my case, the code had a hardcoded JWT secret like this:

const jwtSecret = 'mysecretkey';

That alone was enough for GitHub to block the push due to secret scanning rules. No detailed error message. Just... "push declined."

The Fix

Here’s what finally worked for me:

1. Remove or Hide the Secrets

Change hardcoded secrets to use environment variables:

const jwtSecret = process.env.JWT_SECRET;

Then put your secrets in a .env file and add .env to .gitignore:

echo ".env" >> .gitignore

2. Check Branch Protection Rules

If you're pushing to the main branch:

• Go to your repo on GitHub
• Click on Settings → Branches
• Under "Branch protection rules", either:
  • Temporarily disable protection for main
  • Or create and push to a new branch (e.g. dev)

git checkout -b dev
git push origin dev

3. Force Push if You've Rewritten History

If you've removed secrets from history using something like git rebase or filter-branch, you'll need to force push:

git push origin main --force

[rossmacrae]

Thanks @AyushSingh360 this helped me, I had the same issue. I'd also failed to notice that higher up in the error message github had highlighted the the offending file and the line with the 'secret' in it. I'm also a novice git user: there were some hoops to jump through to force a new commit to git after making the required changes. But in the end it got done.

[cunhajo-code]

Same here, if I took the time to read the message, I would have found the offending file. Once I understood the issue was secrets github refused to archive, I was able to compile an appropriate gitignore. Thanks All! From: rossmacrae ***@***.***> Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 5:40 AM To: community/community ***@***.***> Cc: cunhajo-code ***@***.***>; Mention ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [community/community] No matter what I do, I can't push to my repository. Simple learning code. Getting To https://github.com/{repository} ! [remote rejected] main -> main (push declined due to repository rule violations) error: failed to push some r Thanks @AyushSingh360 <https://github.com/AyushSingh360> this helped me, I had the same issue. I'd also failed to notice that higher up in the error message github had highlighted the the offending file and the line with the 'secret' in it. I'm also a novice git user: there were some hoops to jump through to force a new commit to git after making the required changes. But in the end it got done. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#158212 (reply in thread)> , or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/BSCWP4TQYWIF5CULIV327JT26G4XJAVCNFSM6AAAAAB4KUMIPWVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43URDJONRXK43TNFXW4Q3PNVWWK3TUHMYTGMJSHEYDINY> . You are receiving this because you were mentioned. <https://github.com/notifications/beacon/BSCWP4UVHVMBY6XSIKSLUCL26G4XJA5CNFSM6AAAAAB4KUMIPWWGG33NNVSW45C7OR4XAZNRIRUXGY3VONZWS33OINXW23LFNZ2KUY3PNVWWK3TUL5UWJTQAZBKVO.gif> Message ID: ***@***.*** ***@***.***> >

[AyushSingh360]

Glad It helped. Can you please mark my response as the answer? When you mark a question as an answer, GitHub will highlight the comment and replies to the comment to help visitors quickly find the answer.