How to git clone 'git' metadata only

Question

I have a remote repo called FOO which has the two following revisions:

commit1
commit2

I have a directory 'bar' which contains all the files for commit2 but I am missing the .git directory and all metadata.

Is there a way for me to 'git clone' only the '.git' metadata from the remote into my current directory without the files?

The main goal is to avoid wasting time checking out files since I already have them.

This question is a duplicate of Clone only the .git directory of a git repo — EvgenKo423
– EvgenKo423, Commented Apr 24, 2021 at 15:05

customcommander · Accepted Answer · 2020-01-02 21:47:27Z

25

git clone -n

-n will tell git not to checkout the head after performing the clone.

customcommander

19.3k6 gold badges70 silver badges96 bronze badges

answered Nov 19, 2013 at 18:05

Spencer

94213 silver badges22 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

1 Comment

Note that it doesn't restore the index, so if you just move the .git directory into the working tree git status output will be incorrect.