Visual Studio Code is always asking for Git credentials
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Introduction
When VS Code keeps asking for Git credentials, the editor is usually not the real problem. VS Code shells out to Git, and Git then relies on either an SSH setup or a credential helper such as Git Credential Manager to authenticate with the remote.
If credentials are not being stored, the repository remote URL is mismatched, or the helper is misconfigured, every fetch, pull, or push triggers another prompt. The fix is to make the Git authentication path stable instead of re-entering credentials each time.
Check Which Authentication Method You Are Using
Start by inspecting the repository remote.
If the remote starts with https://, Git expects a username and password or, more commonly now, a personal access token. If it starts with [email protected]: or another SSH form, Git expects SSH keys.
This distinction matters because the fix is different:
- HTTPS usually needs a credential helper.
- SSH usually needs a loaded private key and a working SSH agent.
On current setups, either method is fine. Problems begin when the remote and the credential storage method do not match.
Fixing HTTPS Credential Prompts
For HTTPS remotes, the cleanest approach is usually Git Credential Manager.
If your Git build does not include it, install Git Credential Manager first, then configure it. After that, trigger one authenticated operation:
Enter the credentials or token once, and the helper should store them securely in the system keychain or credential store.
For GitHub and similar services, use a personal access token rather than an account password. Many hosts no longer allow password authentication for Git over HTTPS.
You can inspect the current helper setting with:
If it is blank, Git has no persistence layer and repeated prompts are expected.
Fixing SSH-Based Setups
If you prefer SSH, confirm that the remote actually uses SSH and that the agent has your key.
If ssh-add -l shows no identities, add your key:
Then switch the remote URL if needed:
With a valid SSH key and agent, VS Code should stop asking for username and token prompts because Git no longer needs HTTPS credentials.
VS Code-Specific Factors
VS Code itself usually follows whatever the Git executable does, but there are a few editor-level complications.
First, the integrated terminal and the background Git process may run in slightly different environments. If SSH works in one shell but not inside VS Code, confirm that the editor is using the same Git installation and has access to the same SSH agent or credential helper.
Second, extension conflicts can confuse authentication flows. This is less common than a plain Git misconfiguration, but if prompts began after installing source-control extensions, disable them temporarily and retest.
You can also verify which Git binary VS Code is using in the command palette or settings if you have multiple Git installations.
Common Pitfalls
A common mistake is using an HTTPS remote while assuming SSH keys should solve the problem. SSH keys have no effect unless the remote URL is actually SSH-based.
Another issue is relying on password authentication for services that now require personal access tokens. If the helper keeps storing rejected credentials, delete the stored entry and authenticate again with the correct token.
Developers also sometimes mix accounts across repositories without using separate credentials or host aliases. That leads to the wrong token being reused.
Finally, do not blame VS Code first. If git fetch from a normal terminal prompts every time too, the issue is in Git authentication, not the editor.
Summary
- Repeated prompts usually mean Git has no working credential storage or key setup.
- Check whether the remote uses HTTPS or SSH before changing settings.
- For HTTPS, configure a credential helper such as Git Credential Manager.
- For SSH, make sure the remote URL, key, and SSH agent all line up.
- If Git works outside VS Code, then inspect the editor’s Git binary and environment.
