Github connect button in cursor does not work

[Nova_Spivack]

Describe the Bug

On Mac OS in cursor, integrations panel connect button for github fails every time. On Github I have authorized cursor and installed it and issued a key for it too. It works through terminal but the integration via Cursor settings does not. Cursor connect page also confirms it is connected. But when I load cursor the button spins for 5 seconds and fails. When I try to load the background agent it says authentication required. But this is a paradox because Cursor does have access to my repo in Github, and the key does work via terminal. Something as important as Github integration should NOT be so brittle and broken in Cursor!!! I am not the only one with this problem. It is time for a definitive fix for this ridiculous and totally unacceptable bug.

Even a totally clean Cursor install does not solve this by the way.

Steps to Reproduce

Very simple. Open cursor integration settings on the mac. It will not connect to Github. I have tried a hundred ways. Even the cursor agent in cursor cannot solve this. There is nothing wrong with my Github setup or creds. Something is wrong with Cursor.

Expected Behavior

This should work seamlessly and without any hassle. This is a CORE feature of Cursor. It should connect to Github easily and without 10 hours of debugging and support (none of which have worked!)

Operating System

MacOS

Current Cursor Version (Menu → About Cursor → Copy)

Version: 1.2.4 (Universal)
VSCode Version: 1.99.3

Does this stop you from using Cursor

Yes - Cursor is unusable

[bersus]

@Nova_Spivack

I experienced this kind of the issue, and the following method helped.

Problem fix:
To fix the error, you’d need to link your local repo to the GitHub repo:

1. Create an empty repo on GitHub (skip “initialize with README”).
2. In your local project folder (with Git initialized), run:

git remote add origin https://github.com/your-username/your-repo.git

3. Push your files (first push):

git push -u origin main

Result:
This sets up the “remote.” Cursor will now recognize your GitHub connection.

P.S. The background agent will work as intended as well.