How to Clone a Repository from GitHub

Cloning a repository from GitHub might sound technical. It might even sound a little scary. But it is actually simple. And once you do it once, you will feel like a pro. In this guide, you will learn how to clone a repository step by step, in a fun and easy way.

TLDR: Cloning a repository means copying a project from GitHub to your computer. You need Git installed and the repository’s URL. Then you use a simple command in your terminal. That’s it. After that, the project lives on your machine and you can start working on it.

Let’s break it down.

What Does “Clone” Even Mean?

To clone a repository means to create a copy of it on your computer. Not just the files. But also the full history. Every change. Every commit. Every branch.

Think of it like this:

• GitHub is a cloud storage space for code.
• A repository (or repo) is a project folder in GitHub.
• Cloning downloads that project to your computer.

Once cloned, you can:

• Edit the code.
• Create new features.
• Fix bugs.
• Push your changes back to GitHub.

Pretty cool, right?

What You Need Before You Start

Before you clone a repository, make sure you have a few things ready.

1. Install Git

You need Git installed on your computer.

To check if you already have it, open your terminal (or Command Prompt) and type:

git --version

If you see a version number, you’re good. If not, download Git from the official website and install it. The setup process is simple. Just follow the steps.

2. A GitHub Account (Optional but Recommended)

You can clone public repositories without an account. But if you want to work on private repos or push changes, you will need one.

3. The Repository URL

Every GitHub repository has a URL. That is what you use to clone it.

It looks something like this:

https://github.com/username/repository-name.git

Or with SSH:

git@github.com:username/repository-name.git

We’ll talk about the difference soon.

Step-by-Step: How to Clone a Repository

Let’s walk through the exact steps.

Step 1: Go to the Repository on GitHub

Open your browser. Navigate to the repository page you want to clone.

You will see a green button that says Code.

Click that button.

A small window will appear with options:

• HTTPS
• SSH
• GitHub CLI

For beginners, HTTPS is the easiest option.

Click the copy icon next to the URL.

Step 2: Open Your Terminal

Now open:

• Mac: Terminal
• Windows: Command Prompt or PowerShell
• Linux: Terminal

Navigate to the folder where you want the project to live.

For example:

cd Desktop

This moves you to your Desktop directory.

Step 3: Run the Clone Command

Now type this:

git clone PASTE-URL-HERE

Replace PASTE-URL-HERE with the URL you copied.

Example:

git clone https://github.com/username/project.git

Press Enter.

Git will now:

• Create a new folder.
• Download all files.
• Download commit history.
• Set up the remote connection to GitHub.

And that’s it. You just cloned a repository.

What Happens After Cloning?

After cloning, a new folder appears in your directory. The folder name matches the repository name.

Move into that folder:

cd project-name

You are now inside the project.

You can check the status:

git status

Git should say everything is up to date.

From here, you can start working.

HTTPS vs SSH: What’s the Difference?

You might have noticed two options: HTTPS and SSH.

HTTPS

• Easy to set up.
• No configuration needed.
• May ask for username and password (or token).

This is perfect for beginners.

SSH

• More secure.
• No need to enter credentials every time.
• Requires SSH key setup.

If you clone often, SSH is worth setting up. But if you are just starting, stick with HTTPS.

Cloning a Private Repository

Private repositories are locked. You need permission to access them.

If you try to clone one without access, Git will deny you.

For private repos:

• Make sure you are logged in to GitHub.
• Use HTTPS with a personal access token, or use SSH.

If using HTTPS, Git may ask for credentials. Instead of your password, you might need a personal access token.

This is just a secure key generated in GitHub settings.

Common Errors and How to Fix Them

Sometimes things go wrong. That’s normal.

“Repository not found”

This usually means:

• The URL is wrong.
• The repository is private.
• You don’t have access.

Double-check the URL. Check permissions.

“Authentication failed”

This happens when:

• Your credentials are wrong.
• Your token expired.
• Your SSH key is not configured properly.

Solution? Recheck your login method.

Git is not recognized

If your terminal says:

'git' is not recognized as an internal or external command

Git is not installed. Or it was not added to your system’s PATH. Reinstall Git and try again.

Cloning Into a Specific Folder Name

Did you know you can rename the folder while cloning?

Use this format:

git clone https://github.com/username/project.git new-folder-name

This creates a folder named new-folder-name instead of the default project name.

Very handy.

Cloning a Specific Branch

By default, Git clones the main branch.

But you can clone a specific branch like this:

git clone -b branch-name https://github.com/username/project.git

This is useful if:

• You only need a feature branch.
• You want to test something specific.

Using GitHub Desktop (No Terminal Needed)

If you do not like the terminal, no problem.

You can use GitHub Desktop.

Steps:

• Download GitHub Desktop.
• Sign in to your account.
• Click “Clone a repository”.
• Choose the repository.
• Select local path.
• Click Clone.

Super simple. Very visual. Great for beginners.

Best Practices After Cloning

Once you clone a repo, keep these tips in mind:

• Pull regularly: Use git pull to stay updated.
• Create branches: Don’t work directly on main.
• Commit often: Small changes are easier to manage.
• Write clear commit messages: Future you will thank you.

Cloning is only the beginning. Good Git habits make teamwork easier.

Quick Recap

Let’s summarize everything:

1. Install Git.
2. Go to the GitHub repository.
3. Click the green Code button.
4. Copy the URL.
5. Open your terminal.
6. Run git clone URL.
7. Start working inside the new folder.

That’s the whole process.

Final Thoughts

Cloning a repository is one of the most important Git skills. It is also one of the easiest.

At first, the command line might feel intimidating. That’s normal. But remember this: it is just one simple command. One line. One copy operation.

After you clone your first repository, you unlock a new level of development freedom. You can explore open source projects. Contribute to teams. Build on existing code. And experiment safely on your own machine.

So go ahead. Pick a repository. Copy the URL. Type git clone. Press Enter.

Welcome to the world of Git.