Transfer git repositories from GitLab to GitHub - can we, how to and pitfalls (if any)?

Question

Can one transfer repositories from GitLab to GitHub if the need be. If so, how exactly can I go about doing the same?

Also, are there any pitfalls in doing so or precautionary measures that I need to keep in mind before doing so given that I may decide to eventually move them to GitHub (as it has more features at the moment that I might find handy for my project).

Answer 1

You can transfer those (simply by adding a remote to a GitHub repo and pushing them)

• create an empty repo on GitHub
• git remote add github https://yourLogin@github.com/yourLogin/yourRepoName.git
• git push --mirror github

The history will be the same.

But you will lose the access control (teams defined in GitLab with specific access rights on your repo)

If you face any issue with the https URL of the GitHub repo:

The requested URL returned an error: 403

All you need to do is to enter your GitHub password, but the OP suggests:

Then you might need to push it the ssh way. You can read more on how to do it here.

See "Pushing to Git returning Error Code 403 fatal: HTTP request failed".

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Note that mike also adds in the comments:

GitLab can also be set to push mirror to downstream repositories, and there are specific instructions for push mirroring to GitHub.
This can use a GitHub Personal Access Token and also be set to periodically push.
You might use this option to share on GitHub, but keep your main development activity in your GitLab instance.

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tswaehn suggests in the comments the tool piceaTech/node-gitlab-2-github

It is possible to migrate issues, labels, ... with this tool github.com/piceaTech/node-gitlab-2-github: I tested it, not bad.
But had issues when transferring attachments of the issues itself.
Still worth a try maybe.

Answer 2

This is very easy by import repository feature:

Login to github.com,

Side of profile picture you will find + button click on that then there will be option to import repository:

You will find a page like this:

Your old repository’s clone URL is required which is gitlab repo url in your case.

Then select Owner and then type name for this repo and click to begin import button.

Answer 3

If you want to migrate the repo including the wiki and all issues and milestones, you can use node-gitlab-2-github and GitLab to GitHub migration

Answer 4

For anyone still looking for a simpler method to transfer repos from Gitlab to Github while preserving all history.

Step 1. Login to Github, create a private repo with the exact same name as the repo you would like to transfer.

Step 2. Under "push an existing repository from the command" copy the link of the new repo, it will look something like this:

git@github.com:your-name/name-of-repo.git

Step 3. Open up your local project and look for the folder .git typically this will be a hidden folder. Inside the .git folder open up config.

The config file will contain something like:

[remote "origin"]
url = git@github.com:your-name/name-of-repo.git
fetch = +refs/heads/:refs/remotes/origin/

Under [remote "origin"], change the URL to the one that you copied on Github.

Step 4. Open your project folder in the terminal and run: git push --all. This will push your code to Github as well as all the commit history.

Step 5. To make sure everything is working as expected, make changes, commit, push and new commits should appear on the newly created Github repo.

Step 6. As a last step, you can now archive your Gitlab repo or set it to read only.

Answer 5

You can use the following commands:

cd existing_repository
git remote rename origin old-origin
git remote add origin <yourRepository.git>
git push -u origin --all
git push -u origin --tags

If an error occurs, you can try to force the push using the -f command, type like this:

git push -u -f origin --all
git push -u -f origin --tags

This would be the path recommended by GitLab to import an existing repository on GitHub, however, if you change the <yourRepository.git> link to the repository link on GitHub it is possible to go the other way, transferring from GitLab to GitHub. In practice, you create a new origin and force a push of everything.

Answer 6

One simple solution can be to add one more remote URL to your local repository.

Steps:

git remote add <name> <URL>
git push name 

Example:

git remote add github_origin https://github.com/...
git push github_origin

Answer 7

If you have MFA enabled on GitLab you should go to Repository Settings/Repository ->Deploy Keys and create one, then use it as login while importing repo on GitHub

Answer 8

With default Github repository import it is possible, but just make sure the two factor authentication is not enabled in Gitlab.

Thanks

Answer 9

You can simply transfer your GitLab project to GitHub with included histories and commits following these 2 steps:

1. Click setting on the right-hand side of your Github profile and select import repository. Then on the old repository URL paste the Gitlab repository link you want to transfer. Follow the attached screenshot Steps to import git repository

2. Click on import then wait a minutes after verifying login credentials, Finally you're done. Check your GitHub Repository to see the changes.

Answer 10

You can import repositories from gitlab into github use user interface (UI) with following instructions:

-> Firstly login in gitlab

-> Then copy the link of a project in gitlab

-> Then Goto github and sign in

-> Press (+) from right side of the github interface

-> Then click on the import repository

-> Then Paste the link in "Your old repository’s clone URL" in field

-> Then right the reporitory name

-> Then select private/public

-> Then press "Begin Import" button

It will import all the files with commit of your gitlab project.

After completing the project it will show

" Importing complete! Your new repository "link" is ready.

Finally your project is imported.

Answer 11

Be sure that you do not have MFA enabled on your GitLab's user account, otherwise it won't work. If you have MFA enabled (as it should be), disable it temporarly until you perform the import, and re-enable it again.