# Restoring a Lost Git Repository (Simple Guide)

This guide is for users who have a project folder on their computer/server, and the **remote repository** was deleted or lost.

Goal: **Back up your project safely** and then **push it again** to a **new empty remote repository**, keeping **all history, branches, and tags**.

---

## What you need

* You have the project folder on your computer/server.
* Git is installed.
* You can log in to the https://git.ourworld.tf website and create a **new empty repository**.

> **Important:** The new remote repository should be **empty** (no README, no initial commit), if possible.

---

## Step 1 — Go to your project folder

Open Terminal (or Command Prompt) and go into your project folder.

Example:

```bash
cd /path/to/your/project
```

To confirm you’re in the right folder:

```bash
git status
```

If you see something like `On branch ...` you’re in the correct place.

---

## Step 2 — Make a safe backup (highly recommended)

### Option A: Make a “Git bundle” (best and simplest)

A **bundle** is a single file that contains your **full project history** (commits, branches, tags).

Run:

```bash
git bundle create ~/my_project_backup.bundle --all
```

Then verify it:

```bash
git bundle list-heads ~/my_project_backup.bundle
```

You should see branch names like `refs/heads/master`, `refs/heads/main`, or others.

✅ Keep this `.bundle` file somewhere safe.

### Option B: Copy the entire folder

You can also copy your whole project folder somewhere safe.

Example:

```bash
cp -r /path/to/your/project /path/to/backup/location/
```

This protects you if something goes wrong.

---

## Step 3 — Create the new remote repository (on the website)

On https://git.ourworld.tf :

1. Click **New Repository**
2. Choose a name (can be the same name or different)
3. **Do not initialize** with README / .gitignore / license (recommended)
4. Create the repository

Copy the new repository URL. It will look like one of these:

* HTTPS: `https://git.ourworld.tf/ourworld_web/www_threefold_io.git`
* SSH: `git@git.ourworld.tf:ourworld_web/www_threefold_io.git`

---

## Step 4 — Point your local project to the new remote

Check your current remote:

```bash
git remote -v
```

Now set the new remote URL (replace with your new URL):

```bash
git remote set-url origin https://git.ourworld.tf/org/repo.git
```

Confirm:

```bash
git remote -v
```

---

## Step 5 — Make sure the new remote is empty

Run:

```bash
git ls-remote origin
```

* If it prints **nothing**, the remote is empty ✅
* If it prints commit hashes, the remote is not empty

If it’s not empty, you can still restore, but you may need **force push** (see Step 7).

---

## Step 6 — Push everything (history + branches + tags)

Push **all branches**:

```bash
git push -u origin --all
```

Push **all tags**:

```bash
git push origin --tags
```

✅ This restores the repository with full history.

---

## Quick checklist

* [ ] I made a backup (bundle or folder copy)
* [ ] I created a **new empty** remote repo
* [ ] I updated `origin` to the new URL
* [ ] I pushed **all branches** and **all tags**
* [ ] I verified with `git ls-remote`

---

## One‑page “Do This” summary

```bash
cd /path/to/project

git bundle create ~/project_backup.bundle --all

git remote set-url origin https://example.com/org/repo.git

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

git ls-remote --heads --tags origin
```