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Cover image for Day 29/30 - Git Bundle – Package a Repo into a Single File for Sharing
Ruqaiya Beguwala
Ruqaiya Beguwala

Posted on • Originally published at Medium

Day 29/30 - Git Bundle – Package a Repo into a Single File for Sharing

#programming #git #productivity

Introduction

Sharing Git repositories typically involves pushing to a remote server or cloning via HTTP/SSH. But what if you need to share a repo without internet access? Enter git bundle—a powerful Git command that packages a repository (or parts of it) into a single file for easy offline sharing.

A Git bundle is essentially a compressed file containing commits, branches, and tags, allowing you to transfer repositories via USB, email, or any offline medium. This is especially useful for:

  • Sharing code in restricted environments
  • Backing up repositories
  • Distributing patches or updates

In this guide, we’ll explore how to use git bundle, common use cases, and some tips to maximize its efficiency.

How to Use Git Bundle

1. Creating a Git Bundle

To bundle a repository, specify a range of commits (or a branch) and an output file:

git bundle create repo.bundle master
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This creates repo.bundle containing the entire master branch.

Example: Bundling Specific Commits 

git bundle create recent-changes.bundle HEAD~5..HEAD
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This bundles only the last 5 commits from HEAD.

2. Sharing and Unpacking a Bundle

Once you have the .bundle file, transfer it to another machine and clone from it:

git clone repo.bundle -b master my-project
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This extracts the bundle into a new repository (my-project).

Example: Fetching Updates from a Bundle

If you already have a repo and want to apply changes from a bundle:

git fetch updates.bundle feature-branch:feature-branch
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This fetches feature-branch from updates.bundle into your local repo.

Common Use Cases for Git Bundle

1. Offline Collaboration

When working in air-gapped environments (e.g., secure labs), git bundle allows sharing code without direct Git server access.

2. Backup & Archiving

Instead of relying on remote servers, create periodic backups:

git bundle create backup-$(date +%Y-%m-%d).bundle --all
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3. Partial Repository Transfer

Need only a specific feature branch? Bundle just that:

git bundle create feature-x.bundle origin/feature-x
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4. Sending Patches via Email

Bundles can replace git format-patch for larger changes:

git bundle create patch.bundle HEAD~3..HEAD
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Email the bundle instead of multiple patch files.

Tips and Tricks

1. Verify Bundle Contents Before Applying

Check what’s inside a bundle:

git bundle verify repo.bundle
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2. Bundle Only What’s Needed

Avoid large bundles by specifying commit ranges:

git bundle create small-bundle.bundle v1.0..v2.0
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3. Use Tags for Versioned Bundles

Tag releases before bundling for clarity:

git tag v2.0
git bundle create release-v2.0.bundle v1.0..v2.0
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4. Combine with git archive for Code-Only Export

If you only need files (not Git history), use:

git archive --format=zip -o snapshot.zip HEAD
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Conclusion

git bundle is a versatile tool for sharing, backing up, and transferring Git repositories—especially in offline or restricted environments. Whether you need to:

  • Share code without internet access
  • Create backups
  • Send patches efficiently

git bundle provides a simple yet powerful solution.

Up Next in the Series: git replace – Override commits without rewriting history (magic!)

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