Cloning a git repo with all submodules

Question

I have a working git repository containing several submodules (obtained by cloning different repositories).

Now, I want to copy the whole repository (with all the submodules) to a bare git repo on a different machine by either using pushing or cloning. I'm fine loosing the history of the submodules (I'm just interested in keeping their content).

Is this possible ? In my attempts, in the cloned repository the submodule directory is empty.

P.S. I know that this is not the correct workflow (see creating a public repo with submodules), however there is no possibility of updating the original submodule.

Answer 1

You can clone the git repo with all submodule using recursive as follow:

git clone --recursive your-repo-url

on the other hand if you have already cloned, you can use:

git submodule init
git submodule update

You won't lose any history in your submodule

Answer 2

in the cloned repository the submodule directory is empty.

If, by "cloned repo", you are referring to the bare repo, it is normal: a bare repo is always empty.

If you are alluding to a clone of the bare repo, you need to add:

git submodule update --init --recursive

That way, you will see the content of those submodules.

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Remember, a submodule is:

• a declaration in a .gitmodules file
• a gitlink entry in the index (special entry recording the SHA1 of that submodule)

So all you need to do is clone that repo (even with a --recursive option), and the submodules will follow.