Repository workspaces

Clone a Repository#

desk new accepts several forms of repository:

desk new octocat/Hello-World

desk new https://gitlab.com/group/project.git
desk new git@github.com:owner/repo.git
desk new ssh://git@example.com/repo.git

desk new ../my-project

For a new clone, desk runs git clone into an independently named workspace and takes you there. Authentication uses your normal Git and SSH configuration. No task name is required.

Return to It#

By default, desk new REPOSITORY offers existing workspaces for that repository alongside a new clone. Different spellings identify the same source:

desk new octocat/Hello-World
desk new https://github.com/octocat/hello-world
desk new git@github.com:octocat/Hello-World.git

desk compares each workspace's Git origin by host and path, ignoring the scheme, user, and a trailing .git. Path case is ignored on GitHub, where it doesn't matter.

Choose explicitly when you already know what you need:

desk new owner/repo --fresh   # independent clone for another experiment
desk new owner/repo --reuse   # remember reuse-MRU for this repository
desk new owner/repo --choose  # chooser this time, keep remembered preference

--reuse returns to the most recently used workspace for that repository, or creates one if needed. Later unflagged invocations reuse it too. --fresh requests a new clone; --choose overrides the remembered preference for just this invocation. Use only one of these flags at a time.

desk does not fetch, pull, or reset when it returns to a clone. Update it yourself with Git. You can also use desk switch NAME directly.

When a Clone Fails#

If git clone fails, desk removes the new workspace and reports Git's error. Fix the problem, such as credentials or a typo, and run desk new again.

Before Deleting#

For routine clearing, use cleanup: it excludes local-only work and active workspaces. desk rm is explicit removal: it shows a summary, asks, and moves whatever you confirm to garbage for 72 hours, even local-only work. If you're unsure, check first:

git status --short
git log --branches --not --remotes
git stash list