Can't edit file in my spaces

Beginners
1

Hello,

I’m unable to edit my app.py in my spaces. My account doesn’t show the 3 vertical dots at the top to edit.

Additionally, I can’t find the area where i can logout/ login to my account.

Hopefully this is a newbie error!

1 Like
2

If it’s an account issue, you’ll probably have to consult with HF ( website@huggingface.co ), but here’s how to isolate the problem:

Background (why this happens)

A Hugging Face Space has two different “faces”:

  • Repo (Hub) page: https://huggingface.co/spaces/<owner>/<space>
    This is where Files and versions, commits, settings, and edit controls live.
  • Running app page (“Direct URL”): https://<space-subdomain>.hf.space
    This is primarily for running/embedding the app. (Hugging Face)

The Hub page typically embeds the running app from *.hf.space in an iframe, and browsers can restrict cookies/auth across these domains—especially on Safari/iOS or strict privacy modes. (Hugging Face)

Your symptoms (“no ⋮ menu”, “can’t find logout/login”) most often come from being in the app/embedded view or not being recognized as logged-in on the Hub view.

Pinpoint the cause (fast checklist)

1) Check the URL you’re on (most important)

Look at the address bar:

  • If it’s …hf.space → you’re on the running app view (limited repo controls). (Hugging Face)
  • If it’s huggingface.co/spaces/… → you’re on the repo (Hub) page where editing should be possible.

Fix: Open the Hub repo page directly:

https://huggingface.co/spaces/<your-username-or-org>/<your-space-name>

2) Confirm you’re logged in (and can see the Hub header)

On huggingface.co, logout is in the top-right profile menu (“Sign Out”). (Hugging Face Forums)

If you can’t find the menu, use direct endpoints:

https://huggingface.co/login
https://huggingface.co/logout

If logging in “does nothing” or keeps bouncing, jump to the Safari/iOS & privacy section below.

3) Confirm you have write access to the Space repo

If the Space is under an organization, your role matters (read/contributor/write/admin). Only roles with sufficient permission can modify repo content. (Hugging Face)

Signs you might be read-only:

  • You can view files, but no Edit button appears on app.py
  • Settings/management actions are missing

Solve it (common paths)

Path A — You were on *.hf.space (app view)

  1. Open the Hub repo URL (huggingface.co/spaces/...).
  2. Go to Files and versions (this is the web view over the repo). (Hugging Face Forums)
  3. Open app.py → click Edit (pencil / edit-in-browser) → Commit changes.
    Community walkthroughs describe this exact browser-edit + commit workflow. (Hugging Face Forums)

Path B — You’re on the Hub repo page, but still can’t edit

  1. Verify login using the profile menu or the direct /login URL. (Hugging Face Forums)

  2. If logged in, check whether the Space is owned by you or an org, and whether you have write access. (Hugging Face)

  3. If it’s not your repo / you don’t have write access:

    • Ask the org admin to grant write (or higher), or
    • Duplicate the Space to your account and edit your copy. HF’s docs note duplication via the three dots (⋮) menu. (Hugging Face)

Path C — Login state is flaky (Safari/iOS / strict privacy / embedded views)

Because Spaces are cross-domain (huggingface.co + *.hf.space), cookie restrictions can break authentication and UI behavior. (Hugging Face)

If you’re on Safari/iOS and the Space is private or login-dependent, there are known reports that it may fail unless you adjust cross-site tracking/cookie settings or switch browsers. (Hugging Face Forums)

Troubleshooting steps (in order):

  • Try desktop Chrome/Firefox (quick isolation test).
  • Disable strict tracking prevention / allow third-party cookies temporarily (diagnostic).
  • Hard refresh, disable ad/script blockers for huggingface.co.

If the web editor still won’t work (reliable fallback)

Use Git (standard) or the HF CLI

Spaces are repos; you can always edit locally and push.

  • HF CLI docs (hf) cover login and repo operations. (Hugging Face)
  • Repo basics (“commit/push”) are in Hub docs. (Hugging Face)

Example Git flow:

git clone https://huggingface.co/spaces/<owner>/<space>
cd <space>
# edit app.py
git add app.py
git commit -m "Edit app.py"
git push

Quick “symptom → cause → fix” map

  • No ⋮ menu + can’t find logout
    Likely cause: you’re not in the Hub UI (or login/header not loading)
    Fix: go to huggingface.co/spaces/..., then login via /login. (Hugging Face)

  • On Hub page, can see files but no Edit
    Likely cause: not logged in or no write permission
    Fix: login; if org-owned, get write role or duplicate. (Hugging Face)

  • Safari/iOS weirdness (private space, login loop, missing state)
    Likely cause: cross-domain cookie restrictions
    Fix: try another browser; adjust cross-site tracking/cookies. (Hugging Face)

If you want the shortest path to certainty: open the Space on huggingface.co/spaces/... and check whether Files and versions shows an Edit action on app.py. If it doesn’t, it’s almost always permissions or login/cookie state. (Hugging Face Forums)