Copying a GitHub Repository

This post explains how to create an independent copy of a GitHub repository with no connection to the original repository.

Clone the original repository

Use the git clone command to clone the original repository to your local machine, then change into its directory:

git clone https://github.com/LearnWithLlew/TestingBetterWithApprovals.Java.git
cd TestingBetterWithApprovals.Java

Remove the existing remote

Remove the remote reference that points back to the original repository so future pushes don’t reach it:

git remote remove origin

Delete the git history

To make the copy fully independent, delete the existing git history by removing the .git directory:

rm -rf .git

Initialize a new repository

Initialize a fresh git repository so the code is tracked from a clean history:

git init -b main

Update the license and attribution

Before publishing the copy, make sure you stay respectful of the original authors and compliant with the license terms — keep the original LICENSE, add your own copyright notice, and acknowledge the original project in your README.md. See Updating the License and Attribution of a GitHub Repository for the practical steps.

Create the initial commit

Stage all the files and record them in a first commit. Note in the commit message that this repository was created from the original project and credit its owner, so the attribution is captured from the very first commit:

git add .
git commit -m "Initial commit

Created from https://github.com/LearnWithLlew/TestingBetterWithApprovals.Java by @LearnWithLlew"

Create a new repository on GitHub

Follow GitHub’s guide to create a new repository. Keep it empty — do not initialize it with a README, .gitignore, or license, so it stays ready to receive your code.

Add the new repository as a remote

Use the git remote add command to point your local repository at the new GitHub repository:

git remote add origin https://github.com/ibanFR/testing-better-with-approvals.git

Push the code to the new repository

Use the git push command to push the code to the new repository:

git push -u origin main