Can't export my codespace

[notinvisible-dev]

🏷️ Discussion Type

Question

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I have a GitHub codespace, and they never mentioned I would run out of credits (with this I mean I never got notified or told I would). Sadly, it did shut down, and I need the files in the codespace back as soon as possible, otherwise there are people that will be very mad at me. Is there any way to export the files? I really, really need them.

[Laalu7]

Go to GitHub Codespaces page → try Resume/Restart
If blocked → add credits/payment → reopen it
Once open → immediately download files or push to repo
If you can’t open it → contact GitHub Support ASAP

👉 If it’s only stopped → data is usually recoverable
👉 If deleted → recovery is unlikely

[kavitha-047]

In most cases your data is still recoverable.

If your codespace is in a “Stopped” state, your files are usually retained for up to 30 days.

The fastest options would be:

• check if you can use “Export to a branch” (this preserves your changes without fully restarting)
• if not available, add billing and restart the codespace, then immediately push/download your files

Also, if the codespace doesn’t appear anymore, it may have been deleted — in that case, contacting GitHub Support as soon as possible is your best option.

[notinvisible-dev]

Nope. I can't export it.

[github3112]

the fastest way is to zip it all and upload it to telegram

[notinvisible-dev]

The thing is, I can't zip it

[sks-007]

First check if your codespace is stopped or deleted at https://github.com/codespaces

If stopped → your files are still there
If deleted → recovery is unlikely (contact support ASAP)
Fastest recovery options:
Use “Export to a branch” (⋯ menu) → saves all files to your repo
If not available → add billing, restart the codespace, then quickly push or download your files

Stopped codespaces are usually kept for ~30 days, so act quickly.

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