What Happens to Your Code Repository Account When You Die
Quick Facts
Access
Private repos need login
Code
May have business value
Backup
Clone locally as backup
Step-by-Step Guide
Clone the repository locally
Create a full clone of the repository including all branches and tags. Use git clone --mirror for a complete backup including all refs.
Document the hosting platform and access
Note which platform hosts the repo (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, etc.) and the account credentials needed to access it.
Add collaborators or transfer ownership
Add a trusted person as a collaborator with write access, or transfer repository ownership to ensure continued access.
Document deployment connections
Note if this repo is connected to CI/CD pipelines, auto-deploy services, or other systems that depend on it.
Document Now Checklist
- Repository URL and hosting platform
- Account credentials location
- Whether the repo is public or private
- List of branches and their purposes
- Connected CI/CD or deployment services
Last verified: June 2026. Platform policies may change. Verify current procedures directly with Code Repository. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Related Guides
GitHub
GitHub has no formal memorialization process. Private repos become permanently inaccessible without account credentials. Add a trusted contact as org owner for any organizations you manage.
Vercel
Add a trusted person to your Vercel team with Admin role. This ensures deployments continue.
Netlify
Add a trusted person to your Netlify team. Team → Members → Invite.
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