📂 Clone an Existing Repository

1. Standard HTTPS Clone (Most Common)

git clone https://github.com/username/repo-name.git

Copies the entire repository (all branches, full history) into a new local folder named after the repo.

2. Clone via SSH

git clone git@github.com:username/repo-name.git

When to use: If you’ve set up an SSH key with GitHub (or another provider) and want to avoid typing your username/password every time.

3. Clone a Specific Branch Only

git clone --branch branch-name --single-branch https://github.com/username/repo-name.git

When to use: If you only need one branch and want to save bandwidth/time.

4. Shallow Clone (Latest Commit Only)

git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/username/repo-name.git

When to use: If you only need the latest snapshot and don’t care about full commit history.

5. Clone into a Custom Directory

git clone https://github.com/username/repo-name.git my-folder

When to use: If you want the local directory name to be something other than the repo name.

6. Clone with Submodules

git clone --recurse-submodules https://github.com/username/repo-name.git

When to use: If the repo contains submodules and you want them initialized and checked out automatically.

7. Mirror Clone (Full Backup/Migration)

git clone --mirror https://github.com/username/repo-name.git

When to use: For backups or repository migration. Includes all refs (branches, tags, remote-tracking branches).