Cannot commit to repository - "Please address the rule violations and try again"

[jschoeggl]

Hello, I am attempting to commit to a README.md via the online editor (i.e. I'm not trying to push changes from my personal computer) to my repo. I am getting this error message:

There was an error committing your changes: Please address the rule violations and try again.

I have not set any rules or implemented and rulesets for this repo (confirmed by looking at Settings -> Branches). I have tried both committing straight to master and creating a PR.

If it matters, my account is several years old but has been inactive for some time (approximately 2 years). I have used it for both personal/school projects and for work. I have been trying to get things setup on my computer again and have been having trouble applying ssh keys. I'm wondering if this is related?

Troubleshooting has been difficult as the error message is quite vague. I am unsure where to even go from here.

Has anyone else encountered this issue?

[Priyanshu84iya]

Troubleshooting Error: "There was an error committing your changes"

If you're encountering the error message:

"There was an error committing your changes: Please address the rule violations and try again."
when attempting to commit changes via the online editor, follow these steps to identify and resolve the issue.

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Possible Causes and Solutions

1. Branch Protection Rules

• Even if you haven't explicitly set branch protection rules, it’s possible that default rules or organizational policies have been applied.
• Solution:
  • Go to Settings -> Branches in your repository and verify if any branch protection rules exist.
  • If rules are present, ensure your commit adheres to them (e.g., requires PR reviews, status checks, etc.).

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2. Inactive Account

• If your account has been inactive for an extended period, GitHub might impose additional verification or restrictions for security reasons.
• Solution:
  • Ensure your account is fully verified (e.g., email verification).
  • Check if there are any account-related issues by visiting GitHub Account Recovery.

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3. SSH Key Issues

• If you’re having trouble applying SSH keys, it could be related to authentication issues with your account.
• Solution:
  • Verify your SSH key setup by following the GitHub SSH Key Guide.
  • If you’re unable to resolve the SSH key issue, consider switching to HTTPS authentication temporarily.

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4. Repository Settings

• Sometimes, repository settings like required workflows or compliance rules can block commits.
• Solution:
  • Check if there are any required GitHub Actions workflows or compliance rules applied to the repository.
  • Ensure that your changes meet the conditions specified in those workflows.

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5. File-Specific Restrictions

• Certain files, such as README.md, may have additional restrictions in some repositories.
• Solution:
  • Check if there are any file-specific rules in .gitattributes or .gitignore.
  • If applicable, coordinate with repository collaborators to understand any enforced conventions.

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6. Testing by Creating a PR

• If committing directly to master fails, creating a pull request (PR) might help bypass certain rules.
• Solution:
  • Attempt to create a PR with your changes and see if it provides more detailed feedback on violations.

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7. Account and Repository Health

• If none of the above steps work, there could be issues with your account or repository health.
• Solution:
  • Contact GitHub Support directly for assistance. Use the GitHub Support Form.

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Additional Notes

• Check Error Logs: If your repository uses GitHub Actions, review the logs to identify specific rule violations.
• Collaborator Assistance: If you’re collaborating on the repository, reach out to team members for clarification on repository settings.

By following these steps, you should be able to identify and address the root cause of the error.

[jschoeggl]

Hi, thank you so much for the thorough response! I will keep this handy for future reference. I really appreciate it!

[Keshavkumar04]

Hi! 👋 I’ve opened PR #1 — could you please check if it’s able to be merged on your side?

I want to confirm that the merge process is working correctly, so we can identify any issues if something's blocking it. Let me know if you see any errors or merge restrictions!

[jschoeggl]

Hi, thank you for responding! I was able to merge your commit after deleting 2 old email addresses from my account. Even better, I was able to merge the edit myself! Thank you so much for your help, I really appreciate it!

[Keshavkumar04]

That's awesome — glad to hear it worked out! 🎉