Cloning a Git repository is one of the first steps in working with a project from GitHub or another Git-based platform. In Ubuntu, this process is fast and easy with a few terminal commands.
Whether you’re contributing to open-source, starting a new feature, or just exploring a codebase, here’s how to use git clone effectively on Ubuntu.
✅ What Does git clone Do?
The git clone command copies a remote repository to your local machine. It creates a complete local version of the project, including:
- All the files
- Git history (commits, branches, tags)
- Remote connection for pushing/pulling code
🛠 Prerequisites
Make sure Git is installed on your Ubuntu system.
📥 Install Git (if not already installed)
sudo apt update
sudo apt install git
Verify installation:
git --version
👣 How to Clone a Git Repository
📌 Step 1: Copy the Repository URL
Go to the GitHub/GitLab/Bitbucket page of the repository you want to clone.
- Click the green “Code” button
- Copy the HTTPS or SSH URL (e.g.
https://github.com/username/repo.git)
🧲 Step 2: Open Terminal and Run git clone
Use this command in the directory where you want to place the project:
git clone https://github.com/username/repo.git
📌 Example:
git clone https://github.com/octocat/Hello-World.git
Git will:
- Create a new folder named after the repo (e.g.,
Hello-World) - Download all code and history into that folder
📂 Optional: Clone into a Custom Folder Name
git clone https://github.com/username/repo.git my-folder
This creates a folder called my-folder instead of the default repo name.
🔒 Using SSH Instead of HTTPS (Optional)
If you’ve set up SSH keys with GitHub, you can use this format:
git clone gi*@gi****.com:username/repo.git
This avoids typing your username/password for every push/pull.
🧠 Post-Clone: Common Follow-Up Commands
After cloning, you can navigate into the project directory and start working:
cd repo-name
Update the repository later with:
git pull origin main # or 'master' or your current branch
✅ Summary
| Task | Command Example |
|---|---|
| Install Git | sudo apt install git |
| Clone a repo | git clone https://github.com/user/repo.git |
| Change folder name | git clone https://github.com/user/repo.git myapp |
| Use SSH clone | git clone gi*@gi****.com:user/repo.git |
| Go into project folder | cd repo |
📌 Final Thoughts
The git clone command is a fast and powerful way to begin working with existing projects in Ubuntu. Whether you’re building, learning, or collaborating, cloning is your gateway to Git-powered development.
