# ERROR: Command errored out with exit status 128: git clone --filter=blob:none 'git@github.com:user/private-repo.git' /tmp/pip-req-build-xxxxx

- **ID:** `pip/error-command-errored-out-exit-status-128-git-clone`
- **Domain:** pip
- **Category:** auth_error
- **Error Code:** `ERROR`
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 85%

## Root Cause

Pip failed to clone a private Git repository because the SSH key or authentication credentials are not configured correctly, or the user lacks access to the repository.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| pip 21.0 | active | — | — |
| pip 22.0 | active | — | — |
| pip 23.0 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Add your SSH key to the SSH agent: `eval "$(ssh-agent -s)" && ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_rsa` and test with `ssh -T git@github.com`.** (90% success)
   ```
   Add your SSH key to the SSH agent: `eval "$(ssh-agent -s)" && ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_rsa` and test with `ssh -T git@github.com`.
   ```
2. **Use a personal access token with HTTPS: `pip install git+https://<token>@github.com/user/private-repo.git`** (85% success)
   ```
   Use a personal access token with HTTPS: `pip install git+https://<token>@github.com/user/private-repo.git`
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **** — HTTPS authentication requires a personal access token or password, which is not set in the URL. (70% fail)
- **** — If SSH key is not set up, manual clone will also fail with permission denied. (60% fail)