Grant a user write access to bitbucket private repository

Granting Write Access to a Bitbucket Private Repository

Learn how to effectively grant write access to a private Bitbucket repository for collaborators, ensuring secure and controlled team development.

Collaborating on private Git repositories is a fundamental aspect of modern software development. Bitbucket, a popular Git-based code hosting service, provides robust tools for managing access to your private projects. This article will guide you through the process of granting write access to a private Bitbucket repository, covering the necessary steps and best practices to ensure your team can contribute effectively and securely.

Understanding Bitbucket Repository Permissions

Bitbucket offers a granular permission system that allows you to control who can view, clone, push, and administer your repositories. For private repositories, granting write access is crucial for team members who need to contribute code, create branches, and merge changes. Understanding the different permission levels is key to managing your project effectively.

flowchart TD
    A[Repository Owner/Admin] --> B{"Select Repository"}
    B --> C{"Go to Repository Settings"}
    C --> D{"Navigate to 'Repository permissions'"}
    D --> E{"Add User/Group"}
    E --> F{"Select Permission Level"}
    F --> G[Grant Write Access]
    G --> H[Collaborator Can Push/Merge]

Flowchart illustrating the process of granting repository permissions in Bitbucket.

Step-by-Step Guide to Granting Write Access

Granting write access involves navigating through your Bitbucket repository settings. This process is straightforward and can be done for individual users or entire groups, making it scalable for teams of any size.

1. Log in to Bitbucket

Ensure you are logged into your Bitbucket account with administrative privileges for the repository you wish to modify.

2. Navigate to the Repository

From your Bitbucket dashboard, locate and click on the private repository to which you want to grant access.

3. Access Repository Settings

On the left-hand sidebar of the repository page, click on 'Repository settings'.

4. Go to Repository Permissions

Within the settings menu, find and click on 'Repository permissions' under the 'Access management' section.

5. Add Users or Groups

Click the 'Add users or groups' button. A search bar will appear. Start typing the name or email address of the user or group you want to add. Bitbucket will suggest matching accounts.

6. Select Permission Level

Once you've selected the user or group, choose the appropriate permission level from the dropdown menu. For write access, select 'Write' (or 'Admin' if they need full control). The 'Write' permission allows users to push changes, create branches, and merge pull requests.

7. Save Changes

Click the 'Add' button to apply the permissions. The user or group will now have the specified access to your private repository.

Verifying Access and Troubleshooting

After granting access, it's a good practice to verify that the user can indeed access and contribute to the repository. If a user reports issues, there are a few common areas to check.

The user should be able to clone the repository and push changes. If they encounter authentication errors, ensure their SSH keys or app passwords are correctly configured in their Bitbucket account. If they can clone but not push, double-check that the 'Write' permission was correctly applied.

git clone git@bitbucket.org:your_workspace/your_repo.git
cd your_repo
echo "Test change" >> README.md
git add README.md
git commit -m "Test commit"
git push origin main

Example Git commands for cloning and pushing to a Bitbucket repository.