Unable to edit PHP file via GitHub Web UI — changes revert instantly

[lemira]

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Hi everyone,

I'm encountering a strange issue when trying to edit a PHP file directly in the GitHub web interface.

Repository: https://github.com/lemira/com_kunenatopic2article Branch: interface File: admin/tmpl/topic/default.php

About three hours ago, I successfully committed changes to this file and verified that the new content is present. However, when I try to edit the file again via the GitHub interface — for example, by deleting a line or clearing the contents — the changes do not apply. The original content immediately reappears, as if the edit was canceled or overwritten.

To test further, I created a new file (default-test.php) with identical content, and it behaves the same way. Other files in the same repository can be edited normally.

I’ve tried clearing my browser cache, switching browsers, and even using incognito mode. I don’t have Git installed locally, so I rely entirely on the Web UI for editing.

Has anyone experienced something similar? Is this a known bug or limitation?

Thanks in advance for any insights or suggestions! — Leonid

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[lemira]

Examples related to the original issue with GitHub Web UI

Here are three screenshots illustrating the behavior I encountered when trying to edit a PHP file directly in the GitHub browser editor:

Before editing — the original text is visible in the editor.

Text deleted — the content is removed, but the cursor remains in place. The “Commit changes” button is disabled.

Text reappears — as soon as the cursor is moved away, the deleted text returns. The “Commit changes” button is still inactive.

These examples are tied to the initial post describing the issue with editing default.php via GitHub’s Web UI.

Resolution
I was able to resolve the issue by committing the same change locally via Git and pushing it to the repository. After that, the file became editable again in the browser.

It seems the problem is related to how GitHub’s editor handles certain PHP files — possibly due to syntax rendering or internal validation quirks.

Hope this helps others facing similar behavior!