Introducing GitHub Sudo Mode
In the ongoing effort to keep our users safe, we recently took inspiration from the Unix sudo command. We wanted to require password confirmation for dangerous actions on GitHub.com, but…
In the ongoing effort to keep our users safe, we recently took inspiration from the Unix sudo command. We wanted to require password confirmation for dangerous actions on GitHub.com, but we didn’t want to force you to be constantly entering your password.
Meet GitHub’s “sudo mode”

Dangerous actions (e.g. adding email addresses or public keys) will now require password confirmation. If you’re deep in the zone and you’re doing a lot of these dangerous actions, we’ll only ask you to re-authenticate every few hours.
With this balance of security and convenience, we help you keep your account safe, without getting in your way. Feedback is always welcome. Enjoy!
Written by
Related posts
10 technical talks I’m excited about at GitHub Universe 2026
From verifying AI-written code to securing npm dependencies, these are the sessions I’m building my Universe agenda around.
Developer policy update: Transparency, state policy, and what’s ahead
Explore GitHub’s latest transparency data and learn more about policy updates affecting developers and open source.
Developers want more efficient software. Here’s what over 1,000 GitHub users told us they need.
New research from GitHub and Yale Program on Climate Change Communication finds strong demand for tools, measurement, and practical guidance that can help developers reduce wasted compute.