# 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.

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz452vXQETg>" %}

{% hint style="info" %}
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.
{% endhint %}

## Cloning a Repository <a href="#cloning-a-repository-from-copia-web-app" id="cloning-a-repository-from-copia-web-app"></a>

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.

![](https://3704730939-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F4lSQNVI3DZ15V7kjkMCA%2Fuploads%2FqT3FIpIh9q59948S7WwL%2FDesktopApp_SignIn_Credentials.png?alt=media\&token=098769a3-c6e5-41c8-bf74-454779d387f7)

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.

![](https://3704730939-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F4lSQNVI3DZ15V7kjkMCA%2Fuploads%2FhJ7zLYCs8tpKPG28cHFO%2FWebApp_OpenInDesktopApp.png?alt=media\&token=9b7d92d9-d084-431b-a519-ed0453c69171)

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

![](https://3704730939-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F4lSQNVI3DZ15V7kjkMCA%2Fuploads%2F9eULqOOkMHXjSBVJKPf7%2FDesktopApp_SelectPath01.png?alt=media\&token=85f6459c-69f7-4516-91e8-6cedf528269f)

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.

<figure><img src="https://3704730939-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F4lSQNVI3DZ15V7kjkMCA%2Fuploads%2FkbidKmvq6zSayC2nbdtg%2FWebApp_CopyURL.png?alt=media&#x26;token=409cedbf-921f-4fb6-966b-a74ab908d367" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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

<figure><img src="https://3704730939-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F4lSQNVI3DZ15V7kjkMCA%2Fuploads%2Fo7aKJRFYJrS8KykOe2aO%2FDesktopApp_SelectPath_02.png?alt=media&#x26;token=7fe69e26-8d0d-4b15-8bdf-fd131ca7af68" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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.

![](https://3704730939-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F4lSQNVI3DZ15V7kjkMCA%2Fuploads%2FSGAtItaFALL1SJqCC3tl%2FDesktopApp_TutorialRepository.png?alt=media\&token=d4f63024-33a5-4449-bb94-fb3fc05e5f94)

### Choosing a Repository from the Desktop App <a href="#cloning-a-repository-from-desktop-app" id="cloning-a-repository-from-desktop-app"></a>

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

<figure><img src="https://3704730939-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F4lSQNVI3DZ15V7kjkMCA%2Fuploads%2FqT3FIpIh9q59948S7WwL%2FDesktopApp_SignIn_Credentials.png?alt=media&#x26;token=098769a3-c6e5-41c8-bf74-454779d387f7" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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.

![](https://3704730939-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F4lSQNVI3DZ15V7kjkMCA%2Fuploads%2FDZzaqdxqoKk7qlUDX9fG%2FDesktopApp_FilterRepositories.png?alt=media\&token=1f6ea461-60a1-49eb-880b-2a3bdca3ebe9)

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.

<figure><img src="https://3704730939-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F4lSQNVI3DZ15V7kjkMCA%2Fuploads%2FYLTBIbHyLXPAY6aiQPPz%2FDesktopApp_TutorialRepository.png?alt=media&#x26;token=a5054b4f-8cd9-42a8-b7ac-3458d1dc9b9e" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>