Read-only deploy keys
You can now create deploy keys with read-only access. A deploy key is an SSH key that is stored on your server and grants access to a single GitHub repository.…
You can now create deploy keys with read-only access. A deploy key is an SSH key that is stored on your server and grants access to a single GitHub repository. They are often used to clone repositories during deploys or continuous integration runs. Deploys sometimes involve merging branches and pushing code, so deploy keys have always allowed both read and write access. Because write access is undesirable in many cases, you now have the ability to create deploy keys with read-only access.

New deploy keys created through GitHub.com will be read-only by default and can be given write access by selecting “Allow write access” during creation. Access level can be specified when creating deploy keys from the API as well.
Written by
Related posts
Still a developer. Just outside. Our latest GitHub Shop collection is here.
The ESC collection lets you escape the confines of your desk and get out into the sun where good ideas are bound to happen.
Take your local GitHub sessions anywhere
Kick off work in VS Code or the CLI, finish it from your phone. Remote control for GitHub Copilot sessions is now generally available on github.com and GitHub Mobile.
GitHub availability report: April 2026
In April, we experienced 10 incidents that resulted in degraded performance across GitHub services.