Issue with SourceTree while cloning a GitHub repository

Question

I know that similar question is already posted here, however I think that my scenario is a bit different. Here is what I have.

I downloaded and installed the latest official version of the SourceTree software. Also, I have GitHub account with permissions to clone and push the repository. In order to manage a local copy I need to clone the on-line version. Here are the steps that I take:

1. Start the SourceTree and navigate to File -> Clone / New ...
2. In the opened window I paste the HTTPS clone URL. I copied it from the browser after I logged-in my GitHub account, so the link is correct.

3. The nest step is to specify a local folder where the repository will be copied. But when I click to enter Destination Path, the window shows an error:

   This is not a valid source path / URL

   clicking the error may give the details:

   remote: Repository not found. fatal: repository 'https://github.com/org/repo.git/' not found remote: Repository not found. fatal: repository 'https://github.com/org/repo.git/' not found 

Or, the Details may be empty. The SourceTree does not tell me the reason for the error or anything else.

I tried to re-install the SourceTree but the error still exists. I asked the Administration of the GitHub repository for any other permissions but my account has all of them. I am able to push changes to the online repository using the Terminal console, but I would like to use UI (that SourceTree provides) to manage and compare changes in the code.

One think I did not try is to Clone the repository using another GtHub account. But I don't want to do that because I need to commit any changes to the repository on my behalf.

Does anybody know how can this error be fixed or worked around?

Answer 1

I was facing the same issue in Sourcetree for macOS:

This is not a valid source path / URL

The following solution worked for me:

1. Sourcetree > Preferences > Advanced
2. Remove the Host name
3. Clone the project again in Sourcetree
4. A prompt will pop up; enter your git credentials.

That's it, it resolved my issue.

Answer 2

The exact error message is (as illustrated here):

 This is not a valid source path / URL 

Possible cause:

• proxy settings (as in this thread)
• setup steps, with Git disabled (as in here)

  When SourceTree started for the first time, I skipped setting up Git & Mercurial in the wizard. Then I reran the wizard and chose to download and install the embedded packages.
  But it seems installing those didn't actually enable them - in the Tools -> Options dialogue they were both disabled!
  Enabling Mercurial (or Git in your case) allowed the clone dialogue to correctly identify the repo.

• credential issues (as in here, from my old answwer)