Git Clone

Overview

git clone downloads a repository including its full history, branches, and remote configuration. It is the standard way to start working on an existing project from GitHub, GitLab, or another host.

Syntax / Usage

# HTTPS clone
git clone https://github.com/user/project.git

# SSH clone (requires SSH key)
git clone git@github.com:user/project.git

# Clone into specific folder
git clone https://github.com/user/project.git my-project

# Shallow clone (less history, faster)
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/user/project.git

# Clone specific branch
git clone -b develop --single-branch git@github.com:user/project.git

After cloning:

cd project
git remote -v        # origin points to source
git branch -a        # all branches
git switch main

Examples

Clone and install a Node project:

git clone git@github.com:stackademic/stackademic-v2.git
cd stackademic-v2
yarn install
cp .env.example .env.local

Clone your fork and add upstream:

git clone git@github.com:you/open-source.git
cd open-source
git remote add upstream git@github.com:org/open-source.git

Common Mistakes

• Cloning into a non-empty directory without git clone . patterns
• Using HTTPS without credential helper and failing pushes
• Forgetting to run project setup after clone (deps, env files)
• Cloning the wrong repo URL (fork vs upstream)

See Also

remote branch commit stash