This article provided by MiniTool guides you through the process of cloning/duplicating a GitHub repository in various ways and scenarios. Study each method carefully and select the one that best fits your needs!

What Is GitHub Clone?

In general, when we mention GitHub clone, we are referring to cloning a GitHub repository. This means making a copy of the GitHub repository.

Why Clone GitHub?

When you create a GitHub repository, it initially exists as a remote repository. However, you can clone your repository to a local area on your computer and synchronize between these two locations.

To facilitate adding/moving files, resolving merge conflicts, and pushing larger commits more easily, it is recommended to clone your repository from the GitHub data center to your local computer.

You can also clone your own existing repository or someone else's existing repository to contribute to a project.

How to Clone a GitHub Repository?

Cloning your repository downloads a complete copy of all the repository data that GitHub has at that moment, including all versions of every file and folder for the project. You can push your changes to the remote repository on GitHub or pull others' changes from GitHub.

How to Clone from GitHub Using the Command-Line?

Let’s dive into the instructions!

Step 1. On GitHub, go to the main page of the repository.

Step 2. Above the files list, click the Code button.

Step 3. There are three options for you to clone a GitHub repository.

• Clone with HTTPS
• Use SSH
• Use GitHub CLI

Select the option you prefer and click the copy icon next to the URL link.

Alt=Clone from GitHub

Step 4. Launch Git Bash.

Step 5. Change the current working directory to your desired destination.

Step 6. Type git clone and paste the link you copied earlier.

$ git clone http://m.miracleart.cn/link/7fb15019103809d7311d26d2e8bb47ed

Step 7. Press Enter to create your local repository. Then, wait for the cloning process to finish.

Cloning a Repository Using GitHub Desktop

To clone a repository to GitHub Desktop, the steps are similar to using commands. The difference is that after clicking the Code button, you should choose the Open with GitHub Desktop option to open the repository with GitHub Desktop. Then, click Choose and navigate to the local path via Windows Explorer. Finally, click Clone.

How to Clone an Empty Repository?

An empty repository contains no files. It is typically created when you do not initialize the repository with a README when creating it.

The method for cloning an empty repository is similar to cloning a regular repository. You have three options to choose from: Set up in Desktop, HTTPS, and SSH.

How to Duplicate a Repository?

To copy a repository without forking it, you need to run a special clone command and then mirror-push to the new repository.

First, you must create the new repository on GitHub using commands like username/new-repository or username/mirrored.

Mirror a Repository

1. Open Git Bash.

2. Make a bare copy of the repository:

$ git clone –bare http://m.miracleart.cn/link/726bd18c52afc248015dcdbc463c6f85

3. Mirror-push to the new repository:

$ cd old-repository.git

$ git push –mirror http://m.miracleart.cn/link/cef347a99ab5be3642ec79a8e2c0bc87

4. Delete the temporary local repository you created:

$ cd ..

$ rm -rf old-repository.git

Mirror a Repository Containing Git Large File Storage Objects

1. Open Git Bash.

2. Make a bare copy of the repository:

$ git clone –bare http://m.miracleart.cn/link/726bd18c52afc248015dcdbc463c6f85

3. Move to the repository you cloned just now:

$ cd old-repository.git

4. Pull in the repository’s Git Large File Storage objects:

$ git lfs fetch –all

5. Mirror-push to the new repository:

$ git push –mirror http://m.miracleart.cn/link/cef347a99ab5be3642ec79a8e2c0bc87

6. Push the repository’s Git Large File Storage objects to your mirror:

$ git lfs push –all http://m.miracleart.cn/link/cef347a99ab5be3642ec79a8e2c0bc87

7. Remove the temporary local repository you created earlier:

$ cd ..

$ rm -rf old-repository.git

Mirror a Repository in Another Location

To mirror a repository in another location as well as get updates from the original, just clone a mirror and periodically push the changes.

1. Start Git Bash.

2. Create a bare mirrored clone of the repository:

$ git clone –mirror http://m.miracleart.cn/link/8db1625bead0f643f7f7913edc2a8434

3. Set the push location to your mirror:

$ cd repository-to-mirror.git

$ git remote set-url –push origin http://m.miracleart.cn/link/1345df26413e5a97ce4bddd35cad74b8

A bare clone includes all remote branches and tags, but all local references will be overwritten each time you fetch, ensuring it remains identical to the original repository. Setting the URL for pushes simplifies pushing to your mirror. You can update your mirror through the following commands:

$ git fetch -p origin

$ git push –mirror

That’s everything about GitHub cloning. For more information about the git clone command or any issues related to it, simply search on Google for additional articles.

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