github download entire directory in raw format

Question

I just wonder what would be the best way to download an entire GitHub directory/folder in raw format using a command line instead of using the GUI.

I need to download all the existing files and there is a long list.
What would you recommend?

I suggest you to check these posts: [How do I clone a subdirectory only of a Git repository?](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/600079/how-do-i-clone-a-subdirectory-only-of-a-git-repository) and [Download a single folder or directory from a GitHub repo](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/600079/how-do-i-clone-a-subdirectory-only-of-a-git-repository) — Amir Dadkhah, Feb 03 '20 at 00:04

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Feb 01 '20 at 01:29

1

You could:

curl the archive of the GitHub repo (HEAD content as a zip or tar file)
Example:

curl -LkSs https://api.github.com/repos/ziyaddin/xampp/tarball -o master.tar.gz

tar -xzf backup.tar.gz --strip-components=3 -C a/b/m

You can extract any file or folder from that archive.

answered Feb 01 '20 at 01:29

VonC

Does this work publicly and what are the limits? – Pacerier Apr 24 '23 at 20:46
@Pacerier I suspect it works only on public repository, and I do not know if there is a limit (in term of archive size) – VonC Apr 24 '23 at 21:08

1 Answers1