creating-a-repository-from-a-template.md

title	intro	permissions	redirect_from	versions	topics	shortTitle
Creating a repository from a template	You can generate a new repository with the same directory structure and files as an existing repository.	Anyone with read access to a template repository can create a repository from that template.	/articles/creating-a-repository-from-a-template /github/creating-cloning-and-archiving-repositories/creating-a-repository-from-a-template /github/creating-cloning-and-archiving-repositories/creating-a-repository-on-github/creating-a-repository-from-a-template	fpt ghes ghec * * *	Repositories	Create from a template

About repository templates

{% data reusables.repositories.about-template-repositories %} For more information about creation of a repository template, see "AUTOTITLE."

Tip

You can also create a repository from a template using the {% data variables.product.prodname_cli %}. For more information, see "gh repo create" in the {% data variables.product.prodname_cli %} documentation.

You can choose to include the directory structure and files from only the default branch of the template repository or to include all branches. Branches created from a template have unrelated histories, which means you cannot create pull requests or merge between the branches.

Creating a repository from a template is similar to forking a repository, but there are important differences:

• A new fork includes the entire commit history of the parent repository, while a repository created from a template starts with a single commit.
• Commits to a fork don't appear in your contributions graph, while commits to a repository created from a template do appear in your contribution graph.
• A fork can be a temporary way to contribute code to an existing project, while creating a repository from a template starts a new project quickly.

For more information about forks, see "AUTOTITLE."

Creating a repository from a template

{% data reusables.repositories.navigate-to-repo %}

1. Above the file list, click Use this template. {% ifversion fpt or ghec %}

2. Select Create a new repository.

   

   [!NOTE] Alternatively, you can open the template in a codespace and publish your work to a new repository later. For more information, see "AUTOTITLE."

{% endif %} {% data reusables.repositories.owner-drop-down %} {% data reusables.repositories.repo-name %} {% data reusables.repositories.choose-repo-visibility %}

1. Optionally, to include the directory structure and files from all branches in the template, and not just the default branch, select Include all branches. {% data reusables.repositories.select-marketplace-apps %}
2. Click Create repository from template.