Repositroy creation failed. (name already exists on this account)

[ecosensors]

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I am facing a challenge. I started a new React Native project with the command npx create-expo-app@latest and I developed the App.
I also add a repository to my account with success. During the process of the development of the App, I need to install some package from /Users/user/Dev/new-app/.git

I changed and get a new laptop and I do not want to clone my repository new-app, which would be easier. I (re)run the command 'px create-expo-app@latest' and I want to reinstall all and only the needed package for the App. (as a clean install)

And I do not want to delete my remote Repository because I would like to keep the history and the Releases.

With Github Desktop, I added a new repositoy. I selected the local "new" folder (new-app) and at the end of the process I got the error message Repositroy creation failed. (name already exists on this account) which make sens because it already exist.

Is there a way "to say" to git :"yes I know, but you can override all with the local version and delete the local files/folder if it does not exist on local"?

I could delete the remove repository and add the local, but I will lost all Realease and history. Not so good ...

Thanks for your help.

[pydrive50CS]

So from my understanding, you have a new app on your laptop and want it to connect to your old gitub repo right?

If this is correct then follow these steps on your new laptop inside your new project folder:

1. Go into your app folder and open a terminal there

cd new-app

2. Clean reinstall only needed packages

rm -rf node_modules package-lock.json
npm install

3. Initialize git locally

git init

4. Connect this folder to your existing GitHub repo (ecosensors is you Username for github/ and the URL: https://github.com/ecosensors/new-app.git is supposed to be your existing remote repo URL if not then update with your current remote repo link )

git remote add origin https://github.com/ecosensors/new-app.git

5. Get remote history (does NOT overwrite your local files)

git fetch origin

6. Switch to main branch and link it to GitHub

git checkout -b main
git branch --set-upstream-to=origin/main main

7. Commit your new local app code

git add .
git commit -m "Reattached project from new laptop"

8. Push code and overwrite remote files (GitHub history, releases, tags stay safe)

git push --force origin main

[MridulSharma2552007]

You don’t need to delete your GitHub repository or recreate it. The error happens because GitHub Desktop is trying to create a new remote repo, but one with the same name already exists. What you actually want is to link your fresh local project to the existing remote repository.

Create your Expo app again, install only the packages you need, then initialize git locally, make a commit, add the existing GitHub repository as the remote, and force-push. Force-push tells GitHub to make the remote repository match your local version while keeping releases, tags, and repo settings. This replaces the code but keeps the repository itself.

GitHub Desktop isn’t ideal for this workflow — using git from the terminal is the correct approach here.

[ecosensors]

Hi, many thanks for your replies.
Before I red your replies, I cloned my Repo and I deleted all files/folder and hidden files/folders excepted the .git.
I re-run command npx create-expo-app@latest with the same name as my Repo. I restored all fils and folders and it works.
It's not the best way but it works. I keep your suggestions because it's more suitable for next time. Many thanks and happy new year

[pydrive50CS]

glad it worked. and glad to help

[RaphaelTW]

Hi! This is a common Git/GitHub workflow question, and the good news is that you don’t need to delete the remote repository or lose history.

Key point

You cannot “recreate” a repository locally and overwrite a remote one without first connecting them. Git needs to know they are the same project.

Recommended approach (keep history & releases)

Instead of creating a new repository, do this:

1. Create the Expo app locally (clean install)

   npx create-expo-app@latest new-app
   cd new-app

2. Initialize Git (if not already)

   git init

3. Connect your existing remote repository

   git remote add origin https://github.com/USERNAME/new-app.git

4. Fetch the remote history

   git fetch origin

5. Force-align your local clean version (if you really want to overwrite files)

   git checkout -B main origin/main

   Then copy only the files you want to keep from your clean Expo setup, commit, and push:

   git add .
   git commit -m "Clean reinstall of Expo app"
   git push origin main

This preserves commit history, tags, and releases, while letting you reset the codebase.

About GitHub Desktop error

GitHub Desktop fails because:

• The remote repository already exists
• You can’t “create” it again from a local folder

Instead, use “Add existing repository” and point it to a folder that already has .git, or connect the remote manually via CLI.

About packages and clean installs

To reinstall only what the app needs:

• Keep package.json

• Delete node_modules and lock file (package-lock.json / yarn.lock)

• Run:

  npm install

Important note

There is no safe Git command that automatically deletes remote files based on local absence. That’s why Git works via commits and pushes—so changes are intentional and traceable.

Best practice for the future

• Always clone the repo on a new machine
• If you want a fresh start, use a clean commit, not a new repository

Hope this clarifies things. Let me know if you want steps specifically for GitHub Desktop only (no CLI).

[jayveenacino]

You don’t need to delete the remote repository or lose any history. What’s happening is that GitHub Desktop is trying to create a new remote repo, but one with the same name already exists — so GitHub correctly blocks it.

What you want instead is to connect your new local project to the existing remote repository, not create a new one.

The correct approach is:

1. Initialize git in your new local project folder (if it’s not already):
   git init

2. Add the existing GitHub repository as the remote:
   git remote add origin https://github.com/USERNAME/new-app.git

3. Fetch the remote history:
   git fetch origin

4. If you want your new local files to replace the current state of the repo (while keeping history), you can do:

   • git checkout -B main origin/main (or your default branch)
   • Then add and commit your new files and push:
     git add .
git commit -m "Clean reinstall on new machine"
git push origin main

This keeps all commits, releases, and history, but updates the repository with your new clean setup. GitHub Desktop can also do this by choosing “Add existing repository” instead of creating a new one, then publishing changes to the already-existing remote.

So in short: you can’t “override” a remote repo by creating it again, but you can attach your local project to the existing repo and push over it without losing history.

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