Cloning Repositories

Create a local copy of a remote repository with git clone.

What is Clone?

Clone creates:

• A complete copy of the repository
• All branches and history
• Remote tracking (origin)

Basic Clone

Clone Commands

Command	Description
git clone <url>	Clone to folder with repo name
git clone <url> <folder>	Clone to specific folder
git clone --depth 1	Shallow clone (latest only)
git clone --branch <name>	Clone specific branch

Clone URLs

HTTPS

git clone https://github.com/user/repo.git

SSH

git clone git@github.com:user/repo.git

Clone Options

Specific Branch

git clone -b develop https://github.com/user/repo.git

Shallow Clone

git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/user/repo.git

Only gets the latest commit - faster for large repos.

Specific Folder Name

git clone https://github.com/user/repo.git my-project

After Cloning

The cloned repository:

• Has origin remote set up
• Is on the default branch
• Has all remote branches available

View branches:

git branch -a

Cloning vs Forking

Action	Use Case
Clone	Work on repo you have access to
Fork	Create your own copy on GitHub

Working with Cloned Repos

# Clone
git clone https://github.com/user/repo.git

# Navigate into it
cd repo

# Create branch for your work
git checkout -b my-feature

# Make changes, commit, push
git push -u origin my-feature

Exercise: Simulate Clone

Run a clone command (simulated in this environment):