---
title: Importing a repository with GitHub Importer
intro: 'If you have a project hosted on another Git-based hosting service, you can quickly import it to {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %} using the {% data variables.product.prodname_importer %} tool.'
redirect_from:
  - /articles/importing-from-other-version-control-systems-to-github
  - /articles/importing-a-repository-with-github-importer
  - /github/importing-your-projects-to-github/importing-a-repository-with-github-importer
  - /github/importing-your-projects-to-github/importing-source-code-to-github/importing-a-repository-with-github-importer
  - /get-started/importing-your-projects-to-github/importing-source-code-to-github/importing-a-repository-with-github-importer
versions:
  fpt: '*'
  ghec: '*'
shortTitle: Import a repository
---

## About repository imports with {% data variables.product.prodname_importer %}

{% data variables.product.prodname_importer %} imports the source code and commit history of Git repositories hosted on external hosting services. For more information about the capabilities and limitations of {% data variables.product.prodname_importer %}, see [AUTOTITLE](/migrations/importing-source-code/using-github-importer/about-github-importer#capabilities-and-limitations-of-github-importer).

{% data variables.product.github %} uses the email address in the commit header to link a commit to a {% data variables.product.github %} user. To correctly attribute commits in an imported repository, users will need to add the email address associated with their commits to their {% data variables.product.github %} account. For more information, see [AUTOTITLE](/account-and-profile/setting-up-and-managing-your-personal-account-on-github/managing-email-preferences/adding-an-email-address-to-your-github-account).

## Importing a repository with {% data variables.product.prodname_importer %}

When you import a repository using the {% data variables.product.prodname_importer %}, a new repository will be created. If you already have an existing repository you want to use, you can instead add your local repository to {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %} using Git. For more information, see [AUTOTITLE](/migrations/importing-source-code/using-the-command-line-to-import-source-code/adding-locally-hosted-code-to-github#importing-a-git-repository-with-the-command-line).

1. In the upper-right corner of any page on {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom_the_website %}, click {% octicon "plus" aria-label="Create new..." %}, and then click **Import repository**.

   ![Screenshot of the top-right corner of any page on {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %}. A plus icon is highlighted with an orange outline.](/assets/images/help/importer/import-repository.png)

1. On the "Import your project to {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %}" page, enter the URL for the remote repository hosted on another platform.
1. If the source repository is private, enter credentials for authentication. {% data variables.product.prodname_importer %} will use the credentials to perform a `git clone` operation on the source repository.
1. Choose an owner and a name for the new repository on {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %}.
1. Choose the visibility of the new repository. For more information, see [AUTOTITLE](/repositories/creating-and-managing-repositories/about-repositories#about-repository-visibility).
1. Click **Begin import**.

You'll be redirected to a "Preparing your new repository" page, where you can track the status of your import. You'll receive an email when the repository has been completely imported.