== Importing Existing Repositories

The most reliable way to import an existing Git repository into Gitolite is:

* Let Gitolite create an empty repository, e.g. my-repo (by defining it in gitolite.conf).

* Mirror clone the existing remote to your home directory 

{{{#!sh
git clone --mirror existing-remote-url
}}}

* Add your gitolite as a remote to just cloned local repository.

{{{#!sh
git remote add gitolite git@my-server:/my-repo.git
}}}

* Push your entire history to Gitolite.

{{{#!sh
git push --mirror gitolite
}}}

* Remove your local clone afterwards

This avoids permission issues and ensures the repository structure and access controls are handled correctly.

[wiki:Workflows back]