🐥 Duplicating a git repository to a new remote

Sometimes you need to create a full copy of an existing Git repository under a different remote—maybe you're taking a coding test, starting a new project based on a template, or preserving a snapshot of a public repo. Here's a quick way to duplicate a Git repo using the bare clone technique.

A bare clone creates a copy of the entire Git repository without a working directory (i.e., no checked-out files). This is ideal when you want to treat the repository like a pure archive or use it to push to another remote without interference from local files.

Here's how to do it step by step:

# 1. Clone the original repository as a bare repository
git clone --bare https://github.com/pieterclaerhout/tech-assessment.git

# 2. Navigate into the cloned directory
cd tech-assessment.git

# 3. Remove the old origin remote
git remote remove origin

# 4. Add your own new GitHub remote
git remote add origin https://github.com/pieterclaerhout/tech-assessment-pieterclaerhout.git

# 5. Push all branches and set upstream
git push -u origin main

Make sure the target repository already exists on GitHub, or you'll need to create it first.

This method is often used in situations where you need to:

• Submit your own version of a coding assignment based on a starter repo
• Duplicate a project template without creating a GitHub fork
• Preserve the commit history while changing ownership or remote

By using a bare clone, you get a clean, metadata-only copy that you can push anywhere—perfect for archiving or duplicating repos in a professional workflow.