Cloning Repositories

Overview

Cloning creates a copy of your remote repository on your local file system. When you clone a repository, you will copy the most up to date version of your files to your local machine as well as the history of changes to those files.

Both local and remote repositories are complete repositories. Git-based collaboration is based on 1:1 relationships between repositories, enabling you to push or pull commits directly between local and remote repositories.

Cloning a Repository

There are two ways to clone a repository. You can start from the Web App and identify a repository you want to clone. Alternatively, you can clone from the Desktop App and search for a repository from the Copia server.

Choosing a Repository from the Web App

Log into the Desktop App if you haven't done so already.

In the Web App, navigate to the repository you wish to clone. Click on the Create Clone dropdown and select the Open in Desktop App button.

You should be presented with a dialog that pre-populates the URL for the repository you started cloning.

If for some reason the URL does not appear or is incorrect, you can manually copy the repository URL by clicking the Copy button under the Create Clone dropdown. This URL would need to be pasted into the Repository URL field in the Desktop App.

You can also elect to change the Local Path. Make any necessary updates and then press the Clone button.

Your cloned repository will appear in the Desktop App. You can manage your cloned repositories by clicking the Current Repository dropdown and making another selection.

Choosing a Repository from the Desktop App

Log into the Desktop App if you haven't done so already.

In the Desktop App, navigate to the File dropdown and choose the Clone repository... option. You can select your repository from the list that appears under the app.copia.io tab. Ensure that the Local Path for the repository is correct and press the Clone button.

The cloning process should begin and you will soon see your example repository rendered in the Desktop App. You can manage your cloned repositories by clicking the Current Repository dropdown and making another selection.