Cloning Repositories with Submodules
When you clone a repository with submodules, the initial clone only includes the main repository. You need to perform additional steps to clone the submodules. Here’s a step-by-step guide to do it correctly.
Step 1: Clone the Main Repository
Start by cloning the main repository as usual:
git clone <repository-url>
Step 2: Navigate to the Repository
Change into the newly cloned repository’s directory:
cd <repository-directory>
Step 3: Initialize and Update Submodules
To clone the submodules, you need to initialize and update them. This can be done in a single command:
git submodule update --init
This command does two things:
- –init initializes the submodule configurations stored in .gitmodules.
- update clones and checks out the submodules to the commit specified in the parent repository.
Step 4: Recursively Clone Submodules (If Applicable)
If your submodules contain their own submodules, you’ll need to use the –recursive option:
git submodule update --init --recursive
This ensures that all levels of submodules are initialized and updated.
How to Clone Git Repositories Including Submodules?
Git submodules are repositories embedded inside another repository. They allow you to incorporate external projects into your repository at a specific commit, giving you precise control over their versions. Cloning a repository with submodules requires a few extra steps to ensure the submodules are initialized and updated correctly. This article will guide you through the process of cloning a Git repository that includes submodules, explaining the necessary commands and best practices.