Creating and Cloning a Repository

Setting up a new repository

Lets look at how you can set up a new remote repository on Gitlab/Github, so you are ready to start committing your code. the easist way is to create a new repository in Gitlab/Github, clone it locally then start adding your files to it. We'll look at this method first.

Using Gitlab

#### Gitlab

Open Gitlab in your browser and log in
Now click new project on the right hand side of the interface

You'll now be asked what template do you want to use, I recommend a blank project unless your use case fits with the other options

Now it's time to give your project a name. You can also set if the project is public or private at this time (although this can be changed later)

Once done click create project at the bottom of the page
You'll be taken to the next page which shows you a bare bones repository. (It should have a README.md file if you didn't change the setting to create one)

Get the project URL

The next step is to get the URL for the git repository you want to clone. You can do this by going to the green code button and clicking it.
If you intend to commit code back select the SSH URL.

If you want to just pull the code down to use locally you can use HTTPS, this is especially useful if you don't have permissions on the repository.

Using Github

login into Github
Click new on the left hand side of the page

Now fill out the name of the repository in name and change any settings you need.

Make sure its a unique name in your namespace.

Your repository is now created. You can copy the URL for it from the information in quickstart as you'll need this for the next section

Clone the new repository

Now you have the URL you can go back to your terminal and clone the repository.

git clone git@gitlab.com:ric_harvey/demo-project.git

you are now ready to get going committing code! Head over to the commit.md file for information on what to do next.

Adding existing files to a git repository

Now if you have already been working hard and you have files already you can import these files. By following the following instructions. You'll still need that SSH URL you copied.

cd existing_directory
git init
git remote add origin https://gitlab.com/ric_harvey/demo-project.git
git branch -M main
git add .
git commit -m "first commit"
git push -uf origin main

This will now sync all your your files up to the remote repository.

Cloning an existing repository

If you want to pull code from an existing repository you have two options. SSH and HTTPS, if you have permissions on the project (you can push code to it) you should use SSH, if you are just pulling some code to run then HTTPS is fine but default to using SSH if you can.

The repository will have a code button on the right hand side of the page that when you click it, it will give you the options of cloning by SSH or HTTPS, you my also get options to download the repository as a zip or tgz file also.

Once you have the URL you can run clone command.

git clone <COPIED_GIT_URL>

Now you can change directory into that new folder and start working.

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