How to Create a Repository in Bitbucket Using Git Bash?

Bitbucket is one of the most popular version control platforms for hosting Git repositories. It provides a cloud-based environment for team collaboration, and using Git, you can easily manage your code repositories.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to create a repository in Bitbucket and connect it to your local machine using Git Bash.

Prerequisites

Before we start, make sure you have the following in place:

1. Bitbucket Account: If you don’t have one, go to bitbucket.org and sign up for a free account.
2. Git Installed: Ensure you have Git installed on your machine. You can verify this by running:

   git --version

If Git is not installed, download and install it from git-scm.com.

3. Git Bash: Make sure Git Bash is installed, as we will be using it to execute commands.
4. SSH or HTTPS Setup: You can use either SSH or HTTPS for connecting to your Bitbucket repository. SSH is recommended for secure, password-less authentication.

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Step 1: Create a Repository on Bitbucket

1.1 Log in to Bitbucket

Go to bitbucket.org and log into your Bitbucket account.

1.2 Create a New Repository

1. Once logged in, click on the Repositories tab in the top menu and then click Create repository.
2. Fill in the required fields:

• Repository name: Choose a descriptive name for your repository.
• Access level: Choose whether you want the repository to be Private or Public.
• Include a README: It’s a good practice to include a README file when you create the repository, but this is optional.
• Version control system: Ensure Git is selected.

1. Once the repository details are filled out, click Create repository.

Your repository is now created, but it is empty. Next, we’ll connect it to your local machine using Git Bash.

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Step 2: Set Up a Local Repository

2.1 Open Git Bash

On your computer, open Git Bash. You can find it by searching in your applications or using the right-click option (if enabled).

2.2 Navigate to Your Project Folder

Navigate to the local folder where your project is located or where you want to create your new project. For example:

cd /path/to/your/project

If you don’t have a project yet, you can create a new directory:

mkdir my-new-project
cd my-new-project

2.3 Initialize the Local Git Repository

Run the following command to initialize a Git repository in your local folder:

git init

This will create a .git directory inside your folder, marking it as a Git repository.

2.4 Add Files to the Repository

If you have existing files, you can add them to the repository. If it’s a new project, create a file like README.md or any other file.

To stage all files for the initial commit:

git add .

Alternatively, you can stage specific files by replacing the dot with the file names.

2.5 Commit the Files

Commit your changes with a message:

git commit -m "Initial commit"

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Step 3: Link Your Local Repository to Bitbucket

3.1 Get the Repository URL from Bitbucket

Once your repository is created on Bitbucket, you’ll be directed to the repository’s page. Here you will see the URL for your repository. Bitbucket provides two options for URL formats: SSH and HTTPS. You can choose either, but for security and convenience, SSH is recommended.

To get the SSH URL:

1. On the Bitbucket repository page, click on the Clone button.
2. Copy the SSH URL (it should look like this: [email protected]:username/repository-name.git).

3.2 Add Remote Repository

In Git Bash, add the Bitbucket repository as a remote origin by using the following command:

git remote add origin [email protected]:username/repository-name.git

Replace username with your Bitbucket username and repository-name with the name of your repository.

If you prefer to use HTTPS, the command would be:

git remote add origin https://[email protected]/username/repository-name.git

3.3 Verify the Remote Repository

Run the following command to verify that the remote repository has been added correctly:

git remote -v

You should see the remote repository URL listed for both fetch and push.

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Step 4: Push Your Local Repository to Bitbucket

Now that your local repository is linked to Bitbucket, push your code to the remote repository.

4.1 Push Your Changes

To push your local commits to Bitbucket, run:

git push -u origin master

The -u flag sets the upstream reference, meaning Git will remember the remote repository and branch for future pushes. If you’re using a different branch (e.g., main instead of master), replace master with your branch name.

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Step 5: Verify the Repository on Bitbucket

Once the push is complete, go back to your Bitbucket repository page. You should now see your files, including the ones you just pushed, available in the repository.

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Step 6: Further Interactions with the Repository

6.1 Pull Changes from Bitbucket

If other collaborators make changes to the Bitbucket repository, you can pull the latest changes using:

git pull origin master

6.2 Push Additional Changes

After making new changes locally, repeat the process of staging, committing, and pushing your updates:

git add .
git commit -m "Made some updates"
git push origin master

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Conclusion

Creating a repository on Bitbucket and linking it to your local machine using Git Bash is a simple yet powerful process. By following the steps outlined in this blog, you can efficiently manage and track changes in your code while collaborating with others on Bitbucket. Whether you’re starting a new project or managing an existing one, knowing how to create and work with repositories is an essential skill for any developer.

With Bitbucket’s seamless integration with Git, you can streamline your workflow, keep your codebase organized, and collaborate effectively with your team.