How do i upload a folder that contains all my code files to my Github repo using Github's REST API programmatically?

[xts-bit]

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How do I upload a folder that contains all my code files to my Github repo using Github's REST API programmatically? Can anyone help me do that in JavaScript with Node.js?

Currently, when I try to run my code, it only uploads files, but how do I upload a folder instead? I don't want to upload files one by one. Any idea what to do?

async function upload() {
  const message = 'amogus';
  const content = 'aaaaa';
  const owner = 'MY-USERNAME';
  const repo = 'MY-REPO-NAME';
  const path = 'my-project';
  const auth = '{MY ACCESS TOKEN HERE}';

  const existingFile = await (await fetch(
    `https://api.github.com/repos/${owner}/${repo}/contents/${path}`,
    {
      method: 'GET',
      headers: {
        Accept: 'application/vnd.github+json',
        Authorization: `Bearer ${auth}`
      }
    }
  )).json();

  await (await fetch(
    `https://api.github.com/repos/${owner}/${repo}/contents/${path}`,
    {
      method: 'PUT',
      headers: {
        Accept: 'application/vnd.github+json',
        Authorization: `Bearer ${auth}`
      },
      body: JSON.stringify({
        message: message,
        content: btoa(content),
        sha: existingFile.sha,
      }),
    }
  )).json();
}

[DozenLimeStone]

Probably you have to loop through all files in the folder and upload them one by one.

[xts-bit]

@DozenLimeStone What if the project has multiple folders with multiple files?

[DozenLimeStone]

@xts-bit Well then recursively get them all :) The best other thing you can do is to compress them into one file and send it.

[xts-bit]

@DozenLimeStone Yep, So you mean I should first create a .zip file of my project convert it into base64 string then upload it?

[DozenLimeStone]

@xts-bit Yes, I mean that. If there is nobody to see the contents, and used to store the data, yes.

[xts-bit]

@DozenLimeStone What do you mean by. "If there is nobody to see the contents, and used to store the data" I just tried to upload .zip file but it only uploaded that file with a base64 string like "YW1vZ3VzLmh0bWw=" instead of my code files

any idea?

[DozenLimeStone]

@xts-bit You probably should just read the file in binary, then convert contents into base64 and send.

[xts-bit]

@DozenLimeStone I did this but then it created a myfoldername.zip file in my GitHub repo with a base64 string like "YW1vZ3VzLmh0bWw=" instead of my code files my code:

import fs from 'fs';

function readFileAndConvertToBase64(filePath) {
  try {
    const fileBuffer = fs.readFileSync(filePath);
    const base64Data = fileBuffer.toString('base64');
    return base64Data;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error(error);
  }
}

async function upload() {
  const message = 'hi';
  const content = readFileAndConvertToBase64('./folder.zip');
  const owner = 'MY-USERNAME';
  const repo = 'MY-REPO-NAME';
  const path = 'my-project';
  const auth = '{MY ACCESS TOKEN HERE}';

  const existingFile = await (await fetch(
    `https://api.github.com/repos/${owner}/${repo}/contents/${path}`,
    {
      method: 'GET',
      headers: {
        Accept: 'application/vnd.github+json',
        Authorization: `Bearer ${auth}`
      }
    }
  )).json();

  await (await fetch(
    `https://api.github.com/repos/${owner}/${repo}/contents/${path}`,
    {
      method: 'PUT',
      headers: {
        Accept: 'application/vnd.github+json',
        Authorization: `Bearer ${auth}`
      },
      body: JSON.stringify({
        message: message,
        content: btoa(content),
        sha: existingFile.sha,
      }),
    }
  )).json();
}

upload()

[DozenLimeStone]

@xts-bit Sorry for late response, what does btoa function do?

[xts-bit]

@DozenLimeStone "The btoa function in JavaScript stands for "binary to ASCII," and it is used to encode binary data (like a string of characters) into a base64-encoded ASCII string. In the provided code snippet, it is used to encode the content of a file before sending it in the body of a PUT request to the GitHub API."

btw recursively get them all approach suggested by you worked fine, Thanks!

[DozenLimeStone]

@xts-bit Hmmm, okay. Happy New Year!

[xts-bit]

@DozenLimeStone You too!

[tx0c]

this is not actually answered;

following from isaacs/github#199 to here

how can do Multi file operations in a single commit through the contents API. #199 ?

[DozenLimeStone]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[tx0c]

filed another #88796

[QMS85]

did you try drag & drop ?

[DozenLimeStone]

you dont even know whats he talking abt lol

[Irajeris]

__

[shahrushahru622-debug]

go vs code do

[shahrushahru622-debug]

import os.zip
do

[Irajeris]

``

[Irajeris]

نه

[yYargadriod777]

Your function works only for updating a single file, but it cannot upload a folder.
GitHub’s REST API does not support uploading an entire folder in one request — you must upload each file individually, one at a time, using the same PUT /contents/{path} endpoint.

Let’s break down what your code is doing and what you need to change.

---

✅ What your current code does

Your function:

• Fetches metadata for an existing file at my-project
• Sends a PUT request to update that file
• Encodes the content using btoa()

This works only if my-project is a file, not a folder.

If my-project is a folder, GitHub returns an array of items, not a single file object — so existingFile.sha will be undefined, and the update will fail.

---

❗ Why uploading a folder doesn’t work

GitHub’s API requires:

• One request per file
• A correct path including the filename
• A correct sha only when updating an existing file

There is no API endpoint that accepts a folder upload.

---

✅ How to upload a folder programmatically

You must:

1. Read all files in the folder (using Node.js fs if running locally)
2. Loop through each file
3. Check if it already exists
4. Upload or update it

Here’s a clean Node.js example:

import fs from 'fs';
import path from 'path';
import fetch from 'node-fetch';

const owner = 'MY-USERNAME';
const repo = 'MY-REPO-NAME';
const folderPath = './my-project'; // local folder
const githubFolder = 'my-project'; // folder in repo
const auth = '{MY ACCESS TOKEN HERE}';

async function uploadFile(filePath, githubPath) {
  const content = fs.readFileSync(filePath, 'utf8');
  const encoded = Buffer.from(content).toString('base64');

  // Check if file exists
  const res = await fetch(
    `https://api.github.com/repos/${owner}/${repo}/contents/${githubPath}`,
    {
      headers: {
        Accept: 'application/vnd.github+json',
        Authorization: `Bearer ${auth}`
      }
    }
  );

  let sha = undefined;
  if (res.status === 200) {
    const data = await res.json();
    sha = data.sha;
  }

  // Upload or update
  await fetch(
    `https://api.github.com/repos/${owner}/${repo}/contents/${githubPath}`,
    {
      method: 'PUT',
      headers: {
        Accept: 'application/vnd.github+json',
        Authorization: `Bearer ${auth}`
      },
      body: JSON.stringify({
        message: `Upload ${githubPath}`,
        content: encoded,
        sha
      })
    }
  );
}

async function uploadFolder() {
  const files = fs.readdirSync(folderPath);

  for (const file of files) {
    const localFile = path.join(folderPath, file);
    const githubFile = `${githubFolder}/${file}`;

    if (fs.lstatSync(localFile).isFile()) {
      await uploadFile(localFile, githubFile);
    }
  }
}

uploadFolder();

---

⭐ Key takeaways

• GitHub API cannot upload folders directly.
• You must upload each file individually.
• Use sha only when updating an existing file.
• Encode file contents using Buffer.from(...).toString('base64') (not btoa in Node).

---

If you want, I can help you:

• Recursively upload nested folders
• Upload binary files (images, executables)
• Turn this into a reusable CLI tool

Just tell me what direction you want to take.

[DozenLimeStone]

github users are a shame

[bigeaglewhitemancarly9-a11y]

Select Topic Area

Question

Body

How do I upload a folder that contains all my code files to my Github repo using Github's REST API programmatically? Can anyone help me do that in JavaScript with Node.js?

Currently, when I try to run my code, it only uploads files, but how do I upload a folder instead? I don't want to upload files one by one. Any idea what to do?

async function upload() {
  const message = 'amogus';
  const content = 'aaaaa';
  const owner = 'MY-USERNAME';
  const repo = 'MY-REPO-NAME';
  const path = 'my-project';
  const auth = '{MY ACCESS TOKEN HERE}';

  const existingFile = await (await fetch(
    `https://api.github.com/repos/${owner}/${repo}/contents/${path}`,
    {
      method: 'GET',
      headers: {
        Accept: 'application/vnd.github+json',
        Authorization: `Bearer ${auth}`
      }
    }
  )).json();

  await (await fetch(
    `https://api.github.com/repos/${owner}/${repo}/contents/${path}`,
    {
      method: 'PUT',
      headers: {
        Accept: 'application/vnd.github+json',
        Authorization: `Bearer ${auth}`
      },
      body: JSON.stringify({
        message: message,
        content: btoa(content),
        sha: existingFile.sha,
      }),
    }
  )).json();
}

Carlyluminatti and sub files

[yYargadriod777]

Hello everyone, I hope this message finds you energized and ready for some great news! I’m thrilled to announce a new development that will make uploading your project folders to your GitHub repository easier and more efficient than ever before. For all those who have been searching for a streamlined way to upload entire folders—rather than uploading files one by one—your solution is here! Get ready to experience a smoother workflow with programmatic folder uploads using GitHub’s REST API and Node.js. This enhancement is designed to simplify your process and boost productivity, so you can focus more on coding and less on manual uploads. Stay tuned for more updates and details on how you can take advantage of this new approach. I can’t wait to see how this empowers our community and sparks even greater innovation! Best regards, Michael

…

________________________________ From: Carly BigEagle-Whiteman ***@***.***> Sent: Sunday, March 1, 2026 4:42 AM To: community/community ***@***.***> Cc: yYargadriod777 ***@***.***>; Manual ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [community/community] How do i upload a folder that contains all my code files to my Github repo using Github's REST API programmatically? (Discussion #83252) Select Topic Area Question Body How do I upload a folder that contains all my code files to my Github repo using Github's REST API programmatically? Can anyone help me do that in JavaScript with Node.js? Currently, when I try to run my code, it only uploads files, but how do I upload a folder instead? I don't want to upload files one by one. Any idea what to do? async function upload() { const message = 'amogus'; const content = 'aaaaa'; const owner = 'MY-USERNAME'; const repo = 'MY-REPO-NAME'; const path = 'my-project'; const auth = '{MY ACCESS TOKEN HERE}'; const existingFile = await (await fetch( `https://api.github.com/repos/${owner}/${repo}/contents/${path}`, { method: 'GET', headers: { Accept: 'application/vnd.github+json', Authorization: `Bearer ${auth}` } } )).json(); await (await fetch( `https://api.github.com/repos/${owner}/${repo}/contents/${path}`, { method: 'PUT', headers: { Accept: 'application/vnd.github+json', Authorization: `Bearer ${auth}` }, body: JSON.stringify({ message: message, content: btoa(content), sha: existingFile.sha, }), } )).json(); } Carlyluminatti and sub files — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub<#83252 (comment)>, or unsubscribe<https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/B3M67BUQQMJNY7T4RCCMQ4D4OQH3FAVCNFSM6AAAAAB2B235KOVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43URDJONRXK43TNFXW4Q3PNVWWK3TUHMYTKOJWGA2DEMA?target=https://github.com>. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[yYargadriod777]

async function upload() { const message = "amogus"; const content = "aaaaa"; const owner = "MY-USERNAME"; const repo = "MY-REPO-NAME"; const path = "my-project/file.txt"; // MUST include a filename const auth = "{MY ACCESS TOKEN HERE}"; // Safe base64 encoding const encoded = btoa(unescape(encodeURIComponent(content))); // Check if file exists const getRes = await fetch( `https://api.github.com/repos/${owner}/${repo}/contents/${path}`, { method: "GET", headers: { Accept: "application/vnd.github+json", Authorization: `Bearer ${auth}`, }, } ); let sha = undefined; if (getRes.ok) { const existing = await getRes.json(); sha = existing.sha; // required for updating } // Create or update file const putRes = await fetch( `https://api.github.com/repos/${owner}/${repo}/contents/${path}`, { method: "PUT", headers: { Accept: "application/vnd.github+json", Authorization: `Bearer ${auth}`, }, body: JSON.stringify({ message, content: encoded, sha, // include only if updating }), } ); const result = await putRes.json(); console.log(result);

…

________________________________ From: Carly BigEagle-Whiteman ***@***.***> Sent: Sunday, March 1, 2026 4:42 AM To: community/community ***@***.***> Cc: yYargadriod777 ***@***.***>; Manual ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [community/community] How do i upload a folder that contains all my code files to my Github repo using Github's REST API programmatically? (Discussion #83252) Select Topic Area Question Body How do I upload a folder that contains all my code files to my Github repo using Github's REST API programmatically? Can anyone help me do that in JavaScript with Node.js? Currently, when I try to run my code, it only uploads files, but how do I upload a folder instead? I don't want to upload files one by one. Any idea what to do? async function upload() { const message = 'amogus'; const content = 'aaaaa'; const owner = 'MY-USERNAME'; const repo = 'MY-REPO-NAME'; const path = 'my-project'; const auth = '{MY ACCESS TOKEN HERE}'; const existingFile = await (await fetch( `https://api.github.com/repos/${owner}/${repo}/contents/${path}`, { method: 'GET', headers: { Accept: 'application/vnd.github+json', Authorization: `Bearer ${auth}` } } )).json(); await (await fetch( `https://api.github.com/repos/${owner}/${repo}/contents/${path}`, { method: 'PUT', headers: { Accept: 'application/vnd.github+json', Authorization: `Bearer ${auth}` }, body: JSON.stringify({ message: message, content: btoa(content), sha: existingFile.sha, }), } )).json(); } Carlyluminatti and sub files — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub<#83252 (comment)>, or unsubscribe<https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/B3M67BUQQMJNY7T4RCCMQ4D4OQH3FAVCNFSM6AAAAAB2B235KOVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43URDJONRXK43TNFXW4Q3PNVWWK3TUHMYTKOJWGA2DEMA?target=https://github.com>. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>