level 3Git & Version Control
Clone
also: cloned, cloning, git clone
Making a full copy of a project from a remote onto your computer, including its entire history.
a bit more technical
"git clone" copies a repository, including its commits and branches, from a remote into a new local folder. It also records that source as the origin remote, so you can pull updates and push changes.
picture it
Photocopying an entire filing cabinet, drawer by drawer, including every old draft, not just the latest page.
why it matters
Cloning is often the first step when an agent starts on an existing project, or when you set up a new computer. Unlike downloading a zip, a clone stays connected, so you can keep syncing.
what your agent might say
I've cloned the repository into ~/projects/shop-app. It's on main, and the last commit was two days ago. Should I install dependencies next?
how you might use it
Clone the project from this GitHub URL into a new folder, install what it needs, and tell me how to run it locally. Don't change any files yet.
common mistake
Thinking clone and fork are the same. A clone is a copy on your computer. A fork is a copy under your own account on GitHub.
builds on
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