git archive

Learn to create a repository archive with git archive.

What is git archive?

git archive exports files from a specific commit or branch in a Git repository as a single compressed archive file (tar or zip). Unlike cloning or copying, it does not include the .git history directory in the archive.

git archive --output=proje.tar HEAD

This gives you a clean snapshot of just the source code, ideal for distribution to clients or deployment servers.

Archive Output and Target File

The --output (or -o for short) option is used to specify the archive output. Git can automatically recognize the archive format from the file extension.

git archive -o proje.tar HEAD
git archive --output=kaynak.tar.gz HEAD

Additionally, if the --prefix=proje/ flag is added, files are extracted inside a subfolder when uncompressed.

Exercise Create HEAD Archive

Archive the latest commit (HEAD) in the repository with the --output=surum.tar parameter. Then list the archive contents using tar -tf surum.tar.

Show example solution

git init -q
git config user.name "Dev"
git config user.email "dev@example.com"
echo "v1.0.0" > surum.txt
git add surum.txt
git commit -q -m "Ilk surum"

git archive --output=surum.tar HEAD
tar -tf surum.tar

Test yourself

What is the main difference between <code>git archive</code> and a plain folder copy?
- It excludes .git history and produces a clean snapshot
- It archives all branches simultaneously
- It automatically deletes the remote repository
- It only exports the .git directory
Show answer

It excludes .git history and produces a clean snapshot — `git archive` excludes the `.git` directory and commit history, creating a clean snapshot package of only the current files.

Archive the HEAD Commit

git archive --output=yedek.tar ____

Show answer

git archive --output=yedek.tar HEAD

Archive Basics

git archive

Packages repo snapshot
HEAD

Current commit to archive
--output

Specifies output file path
.git klasörü

Not added to archive file

Next lesson: zip and tar

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