What causes "git: 'credential-osxkeychain' is not a git command"?

Git GUI application using bundled Git that lacks the osxkeychain helper Homebrew Git installation not properly linked to system credential helper Git configuration points to osxkeychain but the binary is missing

Is the "git: 'credential-osxkeychain' is not a git command" error serious?

It is a low-severity error — more of a blocker than a risk. The steps above resolve it.

How to fix git: 'credential-osxkeychain' is not a git command in Git

GitBEGINNERLOWUpdated Dec 6, 2025· 209 views

This error occurs when Git cannot locate the osxkeychain credential helper on macOS. It typically happens when using Git GUI applications with bundled Git versions that cannot find the system credential helper, or when the credential helper is misconfigured.

Quick fix

Fixes git: 'credential-osxkeychain' is not a git command

# Check Git version and location
which git
git --version

# Check current credential helper configuration
git config --global credential.helper
git config --list | grep credential

# Check if osxkeychain helper exists
git credential-osxkeychain
# If it exists, it will wait for input (press Ctrl+C to exit)

Check which Git installation is being used
Install or update Xcode Command Line Tools
Upgrade Git using Homebrew
Configure Git GUI apps to use system Git

git — error

$# Check Git version and location
which git
git --version
# Check current credential helper configuration
git config --global credential.helper
git config --list | grep credential
# Check if osxkeychain helper exists
git credential-osxkeychain
# If it exists, it will wait for input (press Ctrl+C to exit)
git: 'credential-osxkeychain' is not a git command

What this error means

The `credential-osxkeychain` error indicates that Git is configured to use the macOS Keychain credential helper, but it cannot find the helper executable. This helper is responsible for securely storing your Git credentials (usernames and passwords or tokens) in the macOS Keychain. When you perform Git operations that require authentication (push, pull, clone from private repos), Git looks for the credential helper specified in your configuration. If it's set to `osxkeychain` but the `git-credential-osxkeychain` binary isn't in Git's PATH, you'll see this error. This commonly happens in these scenarios: 1. **Different Git installations** - macOS has multiple ways to install Git (Xcode Command Line Tools, Homebrew, bundled with apps), and each may use different paths 2. **Git GUI applications** - Apps like GitHub Desktop, SourceTree, Fork, or Tower bundle their own Git version which may not include the system credential helper 3. **Misconfigured PATH** - The credential helper exists but isn't in a directory Git can find 4. **Missing installation** - The osxkeychain helper was never installed or was removed

Typical symptoms

Error message appears when running git push, pull, clone, or fetch
Git GUI applications (GitHub Desktop, SourceTree, Fork) fail during sync operations
Git commands that previously worked start failing after macOS or application updates
Error occurs only in specific applications but works in Terminal
Commands fail even though keychain credentials appear valid
Error appears after switching between different Git installations
CI/CD builds on macOS runners fail with this error

Common causes

Git GUI application using bundled Git that lacks the osxkeychain helper
Homebrew Git installation not properly linked to system credential helper
Git configuration points to osxkeychain but the binary is missing
Path mismatch between where Git looks and where the helper is installed
Xcode Command Line Tools not installed or outdated
Credential helper configured globally but only available in specific Git installation
macOS update changed system paths or removed the helper
Multiple Git installations conflicting with each other

How to fix "git: 'credential-osxkeychain' is not a git command"

1Check which Git installation is being used

First, identify which Git installation is active and verify the credential helper status:

bash

# Check Git version and location
which git
git --version

# Check current credential helper configuration
git config --global credential.helper
git config --list | grep credential

# Check if osxkeychain helper exists
git credential-osxkeychain
# If it exists, it will wait for input (press Ctrl+C to exit)

If git credential-osxkeychain returns the "not a git command" error, the helper is missing from your current Git installation.

2Install or update Xcode Command Line Tools

The macOS Command Line Tools include the osxkeychain credential helper. Install or reinstall them:

bash

# Install Command Line Tools (opens a dialog)
xcode-select --install

# If already installed, you can reinstall:
sudo rm -rf /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools
xcode-select --install

# Verify installation
xcode-select -p
# Should show: /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools

After installation, check if the credential helper is now available:

bash

git credential-osxkeychain
# Should wait for input (press Ctrl+C)

3Upgrade Git using Homebrew

If you're using Homebrew Git, upgrading often resolves path issues:

bash

# Install Homebrew if not installed
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

# Install or upgrade Git
brew install git
# or
brew upgrade git

# Ensure Homebrew Git is used (add to ~/.zshrc or ~/.bash_profile)
export PATH="/opt/homebrew/bin:$PATH"  # Apple Silicon
# or
export PATH="/usr/local/bin:$PATH"     # Intel Mac

# Reload shell configuration
source ~/.zshrc
# or
source ~/.bash_profile

# Verify the new Git is being used
which git
git --version

Homebrew's Git typically includes the osxkeychain helper properly configured.

4Configure Git GUI apps to use system Git

Many Git GUI applications bundle their own Git version. Configure them to use your system Git instead:

SourceTree:
1. Open SourceTree > Preferences (Cmd+,)
2. Go to the Git tab
3. Under "Git Version", select Use System Git
4. Restart SourceTree

Fork:
1. Open Fork > Preferences (Cmd+,)
2. Go to the Git tab
3. Under "Git Instance", select the system Git (usually /usr/bin/git or Homebrew path)
4. Restart Fork

Tower:
1. Open Tower > Preferences
2. Go to Git Config
3. Ensure it uses the system Git installation

GitHub Desktop:
GitHub Desktop typically uses its bundled Git. If issues persist, consider using the command line or switching to another GUI that allows system Git selection.

5Create a symbolic link for the credential helper

If the credential helper exists but your Git installation can't find it, create a symbolic link:

bash

# Find where git-credential-osxkeychain is installed
find /usr -name "git-credential-osxkeychain" 2>/dev/null
find /Library -name "git-credential-osxkeychain" 2>/dev/null
find /opt -name "git-credential-osxkeychain" 2>/dev/null

# Common locations:
# /usr/local/git/bin/git-credential-osxkeychain
# /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools/usr/libexec/git-core/git-credential-osxkeychain
# /opt/homebrew/bin/git-credential-osxkeychain

# Create symbolic link to /usr/local/bin (commonly in PATH)
sudo ln -s /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools/usr/libexec/git-core/git-credential-osxkeychain /usr/local/bin/git-credential-osxkeychain

# Or link from Homebrew location
sudo ln -s /opt/homebrew/bin/git-credential-osxkeychain /usr/local/bin/git-credential-osxkeychain

For Git GUI applications with bundled Git:

bash

# For GitHub Desktop (example)
ln -s /usr/local/bin/git-credential-osxkeychain "/Applications/GitHub Desktop.app/Contents/Resources/git/bin/git-credential-osxkeychain"

# For SourceTree
ln -s /usr/local/bin/git-credential-osxkeychain "/Applications/Sourcetree.app/Contents/Resources/git_local/bin/git-credential-osxkeychain"

6Reconfigure the credential helper

Reset and reconfigure the credential helper in your Git configuration:

bash

# Remove any existing credential helper configuration
git config --global --unset-all credential.helper

# Configure osxkeychain as the credential helper
git config --global credential.helper osxkeychain

# Verify the configuration
git config --global credential.helper
# Should output: osxkeychain

# Test the helper
echo "protocol=https
host=github.com" | git credential-osxkeychain get
# If credentials exist, it will output them
# If not, it will output nothing (that's OK)

If osxkeychain still doesn't work, try an alternative:

bash

# Use the Git Credential Manager (recommended by GitHub)
brew install git-credential-manager
git config --global credential.helper manager

# Or use simple credential caching (temporary storage)
git config --global credential.helper cache

7Install Git Credential Manager as an alternative

GitHub recommends Git Credential Manager (GCM) as the modern replacement for osxkeychain:

bash

# Install Git Credential Manager via Homebrew
brew install git-credential-manager

# Configure Git to use GCM
git config --global credential.helper manager

# Verify installation
git credential-manager --version

Benefits of Git Credential Manager:
- Supports two-factor authentication (2FA)
- Works with GitHub, GitLab, Azure DevOps, Bitbucket
- Uses OAuth for secure browser-based authentication
- Cross-platform (also works on Windows and Linux)

After installation, the next time you push or pull, GCM will open a browser window for authentication if needed.

8Switch to SSH authentication

As an alternative to credential helpers, use SSH keys which don't require the osxkeychain helper:

bash

# Check for existing SSH keys
ls -la ~/.ssh

# Generate a new SSH key (if needed)
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your_email@example.com"
# Press Enter to accept defaults, optionally set a passphrase

# Start the SSH agent and add your key
eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"
ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_ed25519

# Add to macOS Keychain (so you don't need to re-enter passphrase)
ssh-add --apple-use-keychain ~/.ssh/id_ed25519

# Copy the public key
pbcopy < ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub

Add the key to your Git hosting service:
- GitHub: Settings > SSH and GPG keys > New SSH key
- GitLab: Preferences > SSH Keys
- Bitbucket: Personal settings > SSH keys

Update your repository remotes to use SSH:

bash

# Check current remote
git remote -v

# Change from HTTPS to SSH
git remote set-url origin git@github.com:username/repo.git

# Test SSH connection
ssh -T git@github.com

Advanced notes

### Understanding macOS Git Installations

macOS can have multiple Git installations simultaneously:

| Source | Typical Path | Notes |
|--------|-------------|-------|
| Xcode CLT | /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools/usr/bin/git | Default for /usr/bin/git |
| Homebrew (ARM) | /opt/homebrew/bin/git | Apple Silicon Macs |
| Homebrew (Intel) | /usr/local/bin/git | Intel Macs |
| App Bundle | /Applications/[App].app/Contents/Resources/git | Isolated per app |

Check which one is active:

bash

# Show all Git installations
which -a git

# Show which is first in PATH
which git

### Credential Helper Locations

The git-credential-osxkeychain binary can be in various locations:

bash

# List all possible locations
/usr/local/bin/git-credential-osxkeychain
/Library/Developer/CommandLineTools/usr/libexec/git-core/git-credential-osxkeychain
/opt/homebrew/bin/git-credential-osxkeychain
/opt/homebrew/libexec/git-core/git-credential-osxkeychain

### Debugging Credential Helper Issues

bash

# Enable Git credential debugging
GIT_TRACE=1 git push origin main

# More verbose debugging
GIT_TRACE=1 GIT_CURL_VERBOSE=1 git push origin main

# Check all credential-related config
git config --list --show-origin | grep credential

# Test credential helper directly
echo "protocol=https
host=github.com" | git credential fill

### Keychain Access Troubleshooting

If credentials are corrupted in the Keychain:

1. Open Keychain Access (Spotlight > "Keychain Access")
2. Search for github.com (or your Git host)
3. Find entries labeled "Internet password"
4. Right-click and delete problematic entries
5. Re-authenticate on next Git operation

Via command line:

bash

# Erase specific credentials
git credential-osxkeychain erase
host=github.com
protocol=https
# Press Enter twice

# For GitLab
git credential-osxkeychain erase
host=gitlab.com
protocol=https
# Press Enter twice

### PATH Configuration for Multiple Git Versions

If you have multiple Git installations, ensure the correct one is first in your PATH:

bash

# In ~/.zshrc or ~/.bash_profile
# Homebrew Git first (Apple Silicon)
export PATH="/opt/homebrew/bin:$PATH"

# Or Homebrew Git first (Intel)
export PATH="/usr/local/bin:$PATH"

# Then reload
source ~/.zshrc

### CI/CD Considerations

For GitHub Actions on macOS runners:

yaml

- name: Configure Git credentials
  run: |
    git config --global credential.helper store
    echo "https://x-access-token:${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}@github.com" > ~/.git-credentials

Or use SSH:

yaml

- name: Setup SSH
  uses: webfactory/ssh-agent@v0.9.0
  with:
    ssh-private-key: ${{ secrets.SSH_PRIVATE_KEY }}

### Alternative Credential Helpers

If osxkeychain continues to cause issues, alternatives include:

bash

# Git Credential Manager (recommended)
git config --global credential.helper manager

# Simple cache (credentials stored in memory for 15 minutes)
git config --global credential.helper cache

# Store in plain text file (less secure)
git config --global credential.helper store

# Specify cache timeout (1 hour)
git config --global credential.helper 'cache --timeout=3600'

Frequently asked questions

What does "git: 'credential-osxkeychain' is not a git command" mean?: The credential-osxkeychain error indicates that Git is configured to use the macOS Keychain credential helper, but it cannot find the helper executable. This helper is responsible for securely storing your Git credentials (usernames and passwords or tokens) in the macOS Keychain. When you perform Git operations that require authentication (push, pull, clone from private repos), Git looks for the credential helper specified in your configuration.
How do I fix "git: 'credential-osxkeychain' is not a git command"?: This error occurs when Git cannot locate the osxkeychain credential helper on macOS. It typically happens when using Git GUI applications with bundled Git versions that cannot find the system credential helper, or when the credential helper is misconfigured.
What causes "git: 'credential-osxkeychain' is not a git command"?: Git GUI application using bundled Git that lacks the osxkeychain helper Homebrew Git installation not properly linked to system credential helper Git configuration points to osxkeychain but the binary is missing
Is the "git: 'credential-osxkeychain' is not a git command" error serious?: It is a low-severity error — more of a blocker than a risk. The steps above resolve it.

Official resources & further reading

📚Git Official Documentation
💬
Stack Overflow - GitHub for Mac error: git credential-osxkeychain is not a git command(Stack Overflow)
📖
GitHub Docs - Updating credentials from the macOS Keychain(Official Docs)
💬
Atlassian Support - SourceTree credential-osxkeychain error(Stack Overflow)
💬
Stack Overflow - git credential-osxkeychain is not a git command(Stack Overflow)

How to fix git: 'credential-osxkeychain' is not a git command in Git

Quick fix

What this error means

Typical symptoms

Common causes

How to fix "git: 'credential-osxkeychain' is not a git command"

Advanced notes

Frequently asked questions

Related errors

Official resources & further reading