When you create a repository on GitHub, it exists as a remote repository. You can clone your repository to create a local copy on your computer and sync between the two locations. Platform navigation Tool navigation In this article About cloning a repository You can clone a repository from GitHub.com to your local computer, or to a codespace, to make it easier to fix merge conflicts, add or remove files, and push larger commits. When you clone a repository, you copy the repository from GitHub.com to your local machine, or to a remote virtual machine when you create a codespace. For more information about cloning to a codespace, see Creating a codespace for a repository . You can clone a repository from GitHub.com to your local computer to make it easier to fix merge conflicts, add or remove files, and push larger commits. When you clone a repository, you copy the repository from GitHub.com to your local machine. You can clone a repository from GitHub.com to your local computer to make it easier to fix merge conflicts, add or remove files, and push larger commits. When you clone a repository, you copy the repository from GitHub.com to your local machine. Cloning a repository pulls down a full copy of all the repository data that GitHub.com has at that point in time, including all versions of every file and folder for the project. You can push your changes to the remote repository on GitHub.com, or pull other people's changes from GitHub.com. For more information, see Using Git . You can clone your existing repository or clone another person's existing repository to contribute to a project. Cloning a repository On GitHub, navigate to the main page of the repository. On GitHub, navigate to the main page of the repository. Above the list of files, click Code . Above the list of files, click Code . Copy the URL for the repository. To clone the repository using HTTPS, under "HTTPS", click . To clone the repository using an SSH key, including a certificate issued by your organization's SSH certificate authority, click SSH , then click . To clone a repository using GitHub CLI, click GitHub CLI , then click . Copy the URL for the repository. To clone the repository using HTTPS, under "HTTPS", click . To clone the repository using HTTPS, under "HTTPS", click . To clone the repository using an SSH key, including a certificate issued by your organization's SSH certificate authority, click SSH , then click . To clone the repository using an SSH key, including a certificate issued by your organization's SSH certificate authority, click SSH , then click . To clone a repository using GitHub CLI, click GitHub CLI , then click . To clone a repository using GitHub CLI, click GitHub CLI , then click . Open Terminal Terminal Git Bash . Open Terminal Terminal Git Bash . Change the current working directory to the location where you want the cloned directory. Change the current working directory to the location where you want the cloned directory. Type git clone , and then paste the URL you copied earlier. git clone https://github.com/YOUR-USERNAME/YOUR-REPOSITORY Type git clone , and then paste the URL you copied earlier. Press Enter to create your local clone. $ git clone https://github.com/YOUR-USERNAME/YOUR-REPOSITORY > Cloning into `Spoon-Knife`... > remote: Counting objects: 10, done . > remote: Compressing objects: 100% (8/8), done . > remove: Total 10 (delta 1), reused 10 (delta 1) > Unpacking objects: 100% (10/10), done . Press Enter to create your local clone. To learn more about GitHub CLI, see About GitHub CLI . To clone a repository locally, use the repo clone subcommand. Replace the repository parameter with the repository name. For example, octo-org/octo-repo , monalisa/octo-repo , or octo-repo . If the OWNER/ portion of the OWNER/REPO repository argument is omitted, it defaults to the name of the authenticating user.

You can also use the GitHub URL to clone a repository. On GitHub, navigate to the main page of the repository. On GitHub, navigate to the main page of the repository. Above the list of files, click Code . Above the list of files, click Code . To clone and open the repository with GitHub Desktop, click Open with GitHub Desktop . To clone and open the repository with GitHub Desktop, click Open with GitHub Desktop . Follow the prompts in GitHub Desktop to complete the clone. Follow the prompts in GitHub Desktop to complete the clone. For more information, see Cloning a repository from GitHub to GitHub Desktop . Cloning an empty repository An empty repository contains no files. It's often made if you don't initialize the repository with a README when creating it. On GitHub, navigate to the main page of the repository. On GitHub, navigate to the main page of the repository. To clone your repository using the command line using HTTPS, under "Quick setup", click . To clone the repository using an SSH key, including a certificate issued by your organization's SSH certificate authority, click SSH , then click . Alternatively, to clone your repository in Desktop, click Set up in Desktop and follow the prompts to complete the clone. To clone your repository using the command line using HTTPS, under "Quick setup", click . To clone the repository using an SSH key, including a certificate issued by your organization's SSH certificate authority, click SSH , then click . Alternatively, to clone your repository in Desktop, click Set up in Desktop and follow the prompts to complete the clone. Open Terminal Terminal Git Bash . Open Terminal Terminal Git Bash . Change the current working directory to the location where you want the cloned directory. Change the current working directory to the location where you want the cloned directory. Type git clone , and then paste the URL you copied earlier. git clone https://github.com/YOUR-USERNAME/YOUR-REPOSITORY Type git clone , and then paste the URL you copied earlier. Press Enter to create your local clone. $ git clone https://github.com/YOUR-USERNAME/YOUR-REPOSITORY > Cloning into `Spoon-Knife`... > remote: Counting objects: 10, done . > remote: Compressing objects: 100% (8/8), done . > remove: Total 10 (delta 1), reused 10 (delta 1) > Unpacking objects: 100% (10/10), done . Press Enter to create your local clone. Troubleshooting cloning errors When cloning a repository it's possible that you might encounter some errors. If you're unable to clone a repository, check that: You can connect using HTTPS. For more information, see Troubleshooting cloning errors . You have permission to access the repository you want to clone. For more information, see Troubleshooting cloning errors . The default branch you want to clone still exists. For more information, see Troubleshooting cloning errors . Further reading Troubleshooting connectivity problems