Cloning a Repository in GitHub Desktop 📥

Want to copy someone else’s (or your own) repository from GitHub? Here’s how to do it through GitHub Desktop!

Three Ways to Clone

Method 1: From your repository list

For your personal repositories:

1. Open GitHub Desktop
2. File → Clone Repository (or Ctrl+Shift+O)
3. GitHub.com tab
4. You’ll see a list of all your repositories
5. Select the one you want
6. Choose the Local Path (where to save it)
7. Clone

✅ In 10-30 seconds the repository will be copied!

Method 2: By URL

For any public or someone else’s repository:

1. Find the repository on GitHub.com
2. Click the green Code button
3. Copy the HTTPS URL (e.g.: https://github.com/username/repo.git)
4. In GitHub Desktop: File → Clone Repository
5. Go to the URL tab
6. Paste the URL
7. Choose Local Path
8. Clone

Method 3: From the GitHub website (easiest!)

One click:

1. On the repository page click Code
2. Choose Open with GitHub Desktop
3. Confirm in the browser dialog
4. GitHub Desktop will open automatically
5. Choose a folder → Clone

🎉 Done!

What to Choose: HTTPS or SSH?

GitHub Desktop uses HTTPS by default — and that’s perfect for beginners!

HTTPS:
- ✅ Works out of the box
- ✅ No setup required
- ✅ Works through firewalls

SSH: (for advanced users)
- Requires generating keys
- Settings on GitHub
- Slightly faster

For now, use HTTPS!

After Cloning

Check the result

In GitHub Desktop you’ll see:

• History tab — all commits
• Current Branch — main branch (usually main)
• Fetch origin — button to check for updates

Open the project

In an editor:
- Repository → Open in Visual Studio Code
- Or: Ctrl+Shift+A / Cmd+Shift+A

In file explorer:
- Repository → Show in Explorer (Windows)
- Repository → Show in Finder (macOS)
- Or: Ctrl+Shift+F / Cmd+Shift+F

Update the code

If the author updated the repository:

1. Click Fetch origin
2. If there are updates, Pull origin will appear
3. Click Pull to download the updates

Cloning vs Forking

Clone

What: Just a copy for reading/learning

When:
- Want to study the code
- Run the project locally
- Don’t plan to make changes

Problem: Can’t push (upload your changes)

Fork + Clone

What: A copy IN YOUR account + cloning

When:
- Want to make your own changes
- Create a Pull Request
- Build your own version of the project

Steps:

1. On GitHub.com click Fork (top right)
2. The repository will be copied to your account
3. Now clone YOUR copy through GitHub Desktop

✅ Now you can make commits and push!

Working with Forks

After Fork + Clone:

Original:  github.com/author/repo
                ↓ (Fork)
Your fork:  github.com/YOU/repo
                ↓ (Clone)
Your computer:  ~/Projects/repo/

Make changes:

1. Edit files
2. Make commits in GitHub Desktop
3. Push origin — upload to your fork
4. On GitHub.com create a Pull Request to the original

Sync with the original:

The author updated the repository and you want those changes?

In the terminal:

# Add the original as upstream
git remote add upstream https://github.com/author/repo.git

# Download updates
git fetch upstream

# Merge into your branch
git merge upstream/main

Or on GitHub.com:

1. Open your fork
2. If there are updates, you’ll see: “This branch is X commits behind”
3. Click Sync fork → Update branch
4. In GitHub Desktop: Pull origin

Common Issues

“Authentication failed”

Cause: GitHub Desktop can’t log in.

Fix:
1. File → Options → Accounts
2. Sign out → Sign in again

“Permission denied”

Cause: Repository is private and you don’t have access.

Fix:
- Ask the owner to add you as a collaborator
- Or fork it (if the author allows)

Cloning takes forever

Cause: Large repository or slow internet.

Fix:
- Wait it out (some projects are > 1GB)
- Check your internet speed
- Try again later

“Repository not found”

Cause: Wrong URL or the repository was deleted.

Fix:
1. Check the URL
2. Make sure the repository exists
3. Verify it’s public (or that you have access)

Best Practices

✅ Organize your folders:

~/Documents/GitHub/
├── my-projects/
├── cloned-for-learning/
└── forks/

✅ After cloning:
1. Read README.md
2. Check for package.json / requirements.txt
3. Install dependencies
4. Run the project following the instructions

✅ Don’t commit to a cloned project you don’t own!
- Fork it
- Create your own branch
- Only then commit + push

✅ Update regularly:
- Click Fetch origin
- Pull if there are changes

Cloning is the first step to studying someone else’s code! Good luck! 📦