GitHub SSH Authorization with SAML SSO for Forked Repositories

November 16, 2025 Lothar Schulz 0

A troubleshooting story about an intriguing GitHub issue: a developer could clone a GitHub repository successfully, however failed to push updates to it.
I explain in detail the cause is GitHub’s permission model for forked repositories within organizations that enforce SAML SSO.
The solution is simple in hindsight: authorize your SSH key for use with SAML SSO for GitHub organizations that require that.

Cracking the GitHub Code: A Heartfelt Saga of SSH Keys, SSO, and Cloning Victories

February 29, 2024 Lothar Schulz 0

Join me on a journey through the labyrinth of GitHub repositories, where a seemingly simple task – cloning a repository – turned into a quest for knowledge. In this tale, I’ll share my experience of encountering an error message, navigating SSH keys, discovering the ‘Configure SSO’ dropdown, and ultimately finding the solution. So, grab your SSH key and let’s dive into the world of GitHub authentication for use with SAML single sign-on!