.. _importing:

Importing existing repositories

-------------------------------

There are two main methods to import repositories in Kallithea: via the web

interface or via the filesystem. If you have a large number of repositories to

import, importing them via the filesystem is more convenient.

Importing via web interface

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

For a small number of repositories, it may be easier to create the target

repositories through the Kallithea web interface, via *Admin > Repositories* or

via the *Add Repository* button on the entry page of the web interface.

Repositories can be nested in repository groups by first creating the group (via

*Admin > Repository Groups* or via the *Add Repository Group* button on the

entry page of the web interface) and then selecting the appropriate group when

adding the repository.

After creation of the (empty) repository, push the existing commits to the

*Clone URL* displayed on the repository summary page. For Git repositories,

first add the *Clone URL* as remote, then push the commits to that remote.  The

specific commands to execute are shown under the *Existing repository?* section

of the new repository's summary page.

A benefit of this method particular for Git repositories, is that the

Kallithea-specific Git hooks are installed automatically.  For Mercurial, no

hooks are required anyway.

Importing via the filesystem

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The alternative method of importing repositories consists of creating the

repositories in the desired hierarchy on the filesystem and letting Kallithea

scan that location.

All repositories are stored in a central location on the filesystem. This

location is specified during installation (via ``setup-db``) and can be reviewed

at *Admin > Settings > VCS > Location of repositories*. Repository groups

(defined in *Admin > Repository Groups*) are represented by a directory in that

repository location. Repositories of the repository group are nested under that

directory.

To import a set of repositories and organize them in a certain repository group

structure, first place clones in the desired hierarchy at the configured

repository location.

These clones should be created without working directory. For Mercurial, this is

done with ``hg clone -U``, for Git with ``git clone --bare``.

When the repositories are added correctly on the filesystem:

* go to *Admin > Settings > Remap and Rescan* in the Kallithea web interface

* select the *Install Git hooks* checkbox when importing Git repositories

* click *Rescan Repositories*

This step will scan the filesystem and create the appropriate repository groups

and repositories in Kallithea.

*Note*: Once repository groups have been created this way, manage their access

permissions through the Kallithea web interface.