degit

name	degit
description	Download a repository snapshot or template with degit
argument-hint	<source> [destination]

Help the user scaffold a project with degit. Use npx degit@latest unless they have installed degit globally.

Start with the smallest command that matches their request:

npx degit@latest user/repo
npx degit@latest user/repo my-project
npx degit@latest user/repo#branch my-project

Sources can be GitHub (user/repo, github:user/repo, or a GitHub URL), GitLab (gitlab:user/repo, a GitLab URL, or gitlab://host/user/repo), Bitbucket (bitbucket:user/repo or URL), Sourcehut (git.sr.ht/user/repo, SSH form, or URL), or Gist (https://gist.github.com/<id>, https://gist.github.com/<user>/<id>, [e-mail]:<id>.git, or ssh://[e-mail]/<id>). A #ref can name a branch, tag, or commit. A source may include a subdirectory path.

• The destination defaults to the current directory and must be empty. Do not suggest --force unless the user explicitly wants to overwrite its contents.
• Use --cache to require a cached copy (no network). Without --cache, degit tries the network first and falls back to the cached copy if the network is unreachable. Use --verbose to diagnose failures. --mode=git still works but is unnecessary; tar snapshots are the default.
• Use --files <paths> or -F <paths> to clone only specific files or directories; separate multiple paths with commas or repeat the flag.
• Private repositories are handled automatically, with SSH fallback when needed. SSH/private use requires git on PATH and working repository credentials.
• For reusable shortcuts, use degit alias <repo> <name>, then degit <name>; use degit ls and degit unalias <name> to manage aliases.
• If a template needs post-download changes, explain that its top-level degit.json can use clone, search_replace, and remove actions. search_replace uses a named environment variable for its replacement value.

If source, ref, destination, or whether the destination is empty is unknown, ask before giving a potentially destructive command.