metaverseDubai/docs/troubleshooting/GITHUB_AUTH_FIX.md

GitHub Authentication Fix for UE 5.4.1 Clone

Problem

The clone is failing with: fatal: could not read Username for 'https://github.com'

This means the Unreal Engine repository requires authentication (your GitHub account linked to Epic Games).

Solution Options

Option 1: Link GitHub to Epic Games (Required)

1. Visit: https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/ue-on-github
2. Sign in with your Epic Games account
3. Link your GitHub account
4. Accept the Unreal Engine license agreement

Option 2: Use SSH Instead of HTTPS

If you have SSH keys set up with GitHub:

1. Generate SSH key (if you don't have one):

   ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "[email protected]"
   cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub
   # Add this to GitHub: Settings > SSH and GPG keys
   

2. Clone using SSH:

   cd ~
   git clone --depth=1 [email protected]:EpicGames/UnrealEngine.git UnrealEngine
   cd UnrealEngine
   git fetch --depth=1 origin tag 5.4.1
   git checkout 5.4.1
   

Option 3: Use Personal Access Token

1. Create GitHub Personal Access Token:

   • Go to: https://github.com/settings/tokens
   • Generate new token (classic)
   • Select scope: repo (full control of private repositories)

2. Clone using token:

   cd ~
   git clone --depth=1 https://[email protected]/EpicGames/UnrealEngine.git UnrealEngine
   cd UnrealEngine
   git fetch --depth=1 origin tag 5.4.1
   git checkout 5.4.1
   

Option 4: Use Git Credential Helper

# Configure Git to cache credentials
git config --global credential.helper store

# Then try cloning (will prompt for username/password once)
cd ~
git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/EpicGames/UnrealEngine.git UnrealEngine
# When prompted:
# Username: your_github_username
# Password: your_github_personal_access_token (not your password!)

Recommended: Link GitHub to Epic Games

This is the official and recommended method - it's required to access the Unreal Engine source code.

After linking, the clone should work without additional authentication.

After Successful Clone

Once the repository is cloned and tag 5.4.1 is checked out, continue with:

cd ~/UnrealEngine
./Setup.sh
./GenerateProjectFiles.sh -game -engine
make -j4 UnrealEditor

Or restart the automated script:

cd /home/intlc/projects/metaverseDubai
./scripts/install_ue5_5.4.1_auto.sh