Fixing the "Uploads are disabled" Error for Ethereum EIPs

If GitHub shows "Uploads are disabled. File uploads require push access to this repository." while you are trying to contribute to ethereum/EIPs, you are usually attempting to upload files directly to the main EIPs repository.

That repository only allows maintainers to push changes directly. Contributors should work from a fork and then open a pull request.

What the Error Means

The message does not mean you cannot contribute. It means:

• You do not have direct write access to ethereum/EIPs
• GitHub is blocking uploads to the upstream repository
• You need to submit your changes from your own fork instead

Recommended Workflow

Follow these steps to contribute the standard GitHub way.

1. Fork the EIPs Repository

Open the ethereum/EIPs repository and select Fork.

Create a fork under your own GitHub account so you have permission to push changes there.

2. Clone Your Fork

Clone your fork, not the upstream repository:

git clone https://github.com/YOUR-USERNAME/EIPs.git
cd EIPs

Replace YOUR-USERNAME with your GitHub username.

3. Add the Upstream Remote

Connect your local clone to the official EIPs repository so you can pull future updates:

git remote add upstream https://github.com/ethereum/EIPs.git
git remote -v

After this, origin should point to your fork and upstream should point to ethereum/EIPs.

4. Create a Branch for Your Change

Create a separate branch before editing files:

git checkout -b your-eip-change

Use a short, descriptive branch name that matches your work.

5. Make Your Changes and Commit Them

Edit the files you need, then commit your work:

git add .
git commit -m "docs: describe your change"

Use a commit message that clearly explains what you changed.

6. Push to Your Fork

Push your branch to GitHub:

git push -u origin your-eip-change

Because this push goes to your fork, GitHub allows it even though you do not have write access to the upstream repository.

7. Open a Pull Request

After the push completes:

1. Open your fork on GitHub
2. Select the prompt to create a pull request
3. Confirm the base repository is ethereum/EIPs
4. Submit your pull request for review

If You Already Cloned the Wrong Repository

If you cloned https://github.com/ethereum/EIPs.git directly and started working locally, you can usually fix it without losing your changes:

git remote rename origin upstream
git remote add origin https://github.com/YOUR-USERNAME/EIPs.git
git push -u origin your-eip-change

This keeps the official repository as upstream and makes your fork the new origin.

Troubleshooting Checklist

If you still see the upload error, confirm that:

• You are pushing to https://github.com/YOUR-USERNAME/EIPs.git
• Your branch exists on your fork
• You are opening a pull request instead of uploading directly to ethereum/EIPs
• You are signed in to the GitHub account that owns the fork

Resources

• ethereum/EIPs repository
• GitHub Docs: Fork a repository
• GitHub Docs: Creating a pull request from a fork
• GitHub Docs: Managing remote repositories

Scope of This Repository

This repository is only a guide for the contribution workflow. It is not the place to submit actual EIP changes. For real proposals and edits, use the ethereum/EIPs repository.