Deleting a GitHub repository is a straightforward process that can be done through the repository's settings page. Before permanently deleting a repository, it's essential to consider the potential effects, such as deleting associated wikis, issues, and comments, or removing forks of a public repository. Only users with specific permissions can delete certain types of repositories, and there is no way to restore deleted repositories. Archiving a repository instead can be a safer alternative for preserving data without permanently deleting it.