This article contains the steps to transfer GitHub@UMN repositories (also known as "repos") to an account that is not hosted by UMN (such as a personal Github.com account).
- If you still have access to GitHub@UMN, you can follow these steps to transfer appropriate content out of your private UMN account to a personal (public) github.com account.
- If you are a student, staff, faculty, or other UMN community member and are leaving the University system, you will no longer have access to any repos via github.umn.edu. See What happens to my repositories when I leave the University? for more information about account end-of-life policies for GitHub@UMN.
- If you no longer have access to GitHub@UMN and need to retrieve your repos, you can contact Technology Help for further assistance.
Complete all sections in the order listed below:
Creating a Personal Repo
Cloning or Downloading UMN Repo
Changing Remote Repo
Confirming Changes with Git Push
Creating a Personal Repo
You will first need to set up a repo under GitHub's consumer service.
- Create a free github account with a personal email if you don't already have one.
- Public* github.com repos are free.
- If you require a private repo, you'll need to sign up for a paid plan.
- *Note: "Public" repos on github.umn.edu are visible only to those with UMN GitHub accounts. "Public" repos on github.com are visible to everyone.
- To ensure you are not sharing content or materials that should not be public, follow the Source Code Management: Use Guidelines.
- Create a new repo with your github.com account.
Cloning or Downloading UMN Repo
After setting up your personal/consumer GitHub account and repo, clone (download) your UMN repositories to your computer.
- Clone your UMN GitHub repo on a local computer.
- If you already have a local repo cloned, make sure it is up to date by running a pull command.
- Authenticate with your UMN credentials if prompted.
Changing Remote Repo
Once you have your repos cloned onto your computer, you must repoint them to your consumer/personal GitHub account.
- Navigate into the local repo via command line interface.
- Display the current remote to see that the local repo currently points to a github.umn.edu remote URL:
git remote -v
-
The following will be returned to indicate that github.umn.edu is the current remote repo:
origin https://github.umn.edu/user/repository.git (fetch)
origin https://github.umn.edu/user/repository.git (push)
-
- Remove the remote that points to github.umn.edu:
git remote rm origin
-
Add a remote in your local clone using the URL of your new, personal github.com repo:
git remote add origin https://github.com/user/repo.git
- Display the current remote to confirm that it is now using a github.com URL:
git remote -v
- The following will be returned to indicate the current remote:
origin https://github.com/user/repository.git (fetch)
origin https://github.com/user/repository.git (push)
- The following will be returned to indicate the current remote:
Confirming Changes with Git Push
After repointing your local repos to your consumer account, you can save your changes by pushing them to GitHub.
Note: When pushing your code, use your personal github.com credentials if asked to authenticatenot your UMN credentials.
From your local repo, do one of the following:
- Push your repo to the new remote you just created:
git push origin master
- Or, push your repo to a different branch:
git push origin [branch-name]
Additional Resources
Information about using Git and GitHub in general can be found at the Git-SCM website and the GitHub website. Contact Technology Help for assistance.
- Git: Use the University's GitHub Server
- External Git Resources
- Git Frequently Asked Questions
- UMN Self-Help Guide: Using GitHub with Drupal Enterprise