Remote Repositories

Remote Repositories

A remote repository is a copy of your project stored online, on a service like GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket.

Why use a remote?

• Back up your code in the cloud.
• Share your project with others.
• Collaborate with a team.
• Deploy your project to servers.

Local vs remote

• Your local repository lives on your computer in the .git folder.
• The remote repository lives online.
• git push copies local commits to the remote.
• git pull copies remote commits to your local repo.

The origin name

The first remote you add is normally named origin by convention. When you clone a repository, Git sets up origin automatically.

Check your remotes

git remote -v

This shows your remote names and their URLs.

Add a remote

git remote add origin https://github.com/user/repo.git

This connects your local repository to an online one named origin.

TL;DR

• A remote is an online copy of your repository.
• Push sends local commits online; pull brings them back.
• The first remote is usually named origin.
• git remote -v shows your remotes and URLs.