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GitHub App token format header stops working November 30, 2026

Readers can stay on GitHub: they change a setting or plan. Help the ones who would rather leave.

43 days left · November 30, 2026 · Public page

Low switching pressure44/100

An estimate from the deadline, cost, discussion and need to move. It is not a product rating.

What goes into it

Confidence: medium.

deadline24/30
money14/25
attention0/25
audience0/12
force6/8
  • Hard deadline in 43 days.
  • The change is forced: it reaches users even if they wait.

  1. 1 Related discussions

    Only threads tied to this event that talk about leaving, moving or prices. Saved, not live. Check the date and read the thread before replying.

    No live threads yet.

  2. 2 What people ask

    No common questions yet.

  3. 3 Reply templates

    Answer the question first. Link only if it helps. Always keep the disclosure line. Never post the same text twice.

    Helpful first
    Sorry you have to deal with this. You can stay on GitHub. Here is what to change before November 30, 2026:

1. Find the header. Search your code for X-GitHub-Stateless-S2S-Token.
2. Make room for long tokens. Check database columns, secret stores, proxies and log filters. Tokens are about 520 characters now.
3. Remove the header. Delete it once your app works with the new tokens.

If they would rather leave, describe a verified way <your product> can help: <your link>
[Disclosure: I build <your product>.]
    Short answer
    You have until November 30, 2026. You can stay on GitHub. First: find the header. Then make room for long tokens.
Happy to help if you get stuck.
[Disclosure: I build <your product>.]

  4. 4 Switch-page builder

    Create a draft “Switch from GitHub” page. Add your product, review every claim, then copy HTML or Markdown. Your product claims need your own evidence.

    • Add your product name to replace “Your product”.
    Preview

    Switch from GitHub to Your product

    GitHub Apps that send the stateless token header: a change is due by November 30. You can stay on GitHub. If you would rather leave, here is how to move to Your product.

    What changes at GitHub

    GitHub App tokens now have a new, longer format. They are about 520 characters, not 40. A test header, X-GitHub-Stateless-S2S-Token, let apps ask for the old kind. From November 30, 2026, GitHub ignores it. Then apps get only the new tokens.

    • Header no longer respected: November 30, 2026 (GitHub)
    • New installation token: Starts with ghs_, about 520 characters long instead of 40 (GitHub)
    • Header: X-GitHub-Stateless-S2S-Token on POST /app/installations/:installation_id/access_tokens (GitHub)
    • What the disabled value did: Returned a classic opaque token, even after the rollout reached the app (GitHub)
    • Pattern GitHub suggests for both formats: ghs_[A-Za-z0-9\.\-_]{36,} (GitHub)
    • Storage: Database columns and header settings must accept at least 520 characters (GitHub)
    • Tokens made before: Keep working until they expire (GitHub)
    • GitHub Enterprise Server: Not affected (GitHub)
    • Announced: October 2, 2026 (GitHub)
    • Apps that send the header: Get stateless tokens after November 30, 2026 (GitHub)

    You can stay on GitHub if you make the change. This page is for people who would rather leave.

    What Your product gives you

    Write two or three short lines here. Say what Your product does, who it is for, and what it costs. Use only facts you can show.

    How to move from GitHub to Your product

    1. Save what you need from GitHub. Keep a copy before you cancel anything.
    2. Import into Your product. Say which files you accept and how long an import takes.

    Tell readers the key date: November 30, 2026.

    Questions people ask

    If Your product has a direct answer to one of these, add it here. Keep it short and true.

    How to help new users settle in

    Send one short email. Say what changed, where to find you now, and what they need to do. Put the most important line first.

    If there is a date, send a short reminder a few days before it. Keep a copy of the list you sent it to.

    Sources

  5. 5 Search ideas to validate

    suggested, not measured Phrases people may search when a tool changes like this. We have no search volume data for them.

    • github apps that send the stateless token header
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