How to setup a private Git repository on GitHub? Is it even possible?

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I intend to share my source code on an invite-only basis to a few dozen users maybe. The source code itself should not be public. Participants are allowed and encouraged to submit their changes. So i need source control, preferably Git, hosted on a public server with private access level for multiple users. I learned that it is possible to set up private git repositories on GitHub which use https:// links. On GitHub itself such a project does not show up in searches. For participating users the project shows a "lock" icon. So there are obviously private repositories, i just don't know how set one up. A lot of tutorials use SSH to set up private repositories but they all require you to have "your own server". I don't care about secure connections when pushing/pulling source code nor do i have trust issues with GitHub. All i care about is private repository with access only to users i invite. Maybe i'm naive and such a solution is only available via commercial hosting (eg Unfuddle, Assembla) but if not, i'd really like to know how it's done! git github share|improve this question asked Apr 8 '10 at 13:34 LearnCocos2D 31.1k54587

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Private repositories on GitHub are possible, but only with a paid account. Starting at $7 per month for the Micro account, you can set up 5 private repositories. See the Plans page for more information. share|improve this answer answered Apr 8 '10 at 13:35 Thomas 56.9k8112231

1   what, you can pay GitHub too? They sure hide that well ... –  LearnCocos2D Apr 8 '10 at 13:37 ok, Account Settings, Plans & Billing ... got it. Thanks. –  LearnCocos2D Apr 8 '10 at 13:39 They do indeed. It took me three minutes to find the link I now edited into my answer, and I needed Google for that... –  Thomas Apr 8 '10 at 13:39 Darn, i'd be ok with 5 private collaborators if i had a larger number of users having private read-only access as well. –  LearnCocos2D Apr 8 '10 at 13:41

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bitbucket - Their plans seem to be the best - they give you way more than github do for free accounts - infact, im still only using the free plan - no need to sign up to the paid ones, plus the interface is almost identical to Github ... Anyhoo - A repo on bitbucket can have up to FIVE private users with unlimited public or private repos - the only thing you seem to be paying for with the paid accounts are more Users to access your private repos. share|improve this answer answered Jan 3 '12 at 16:10 Ben Duffin 447312

up vote18down vote	If you are a student you can get a free private repository at https://github.com/edu share|improve this answer answered Dec 28 '11 at 12:00 jutky 1,07521525