Export git with version history

git bundle is provided for this exact purpose.

Example:

1. Bundle your source repository in its entirety

   git bundle create my_repo.bundle --all

2. Take “my_repo.bundle” to where your target is

3. From your target, load up your source commit objects

   git bundle unbundle my_repo.bundle

   …from which point you can merge/rebase/cherry-pick your desired source commits into your target repository to your heart’s content.

   Otherwise, pulling works just the same:

   git pull my_repo.bundle

Compared to cloning, bundles are easier to transfer because they’re smaller as your files aren’t carried in their checked out state.

Other reasons for using bundle:

• Unlike using clone --bare (which doesn’t checkout your files),
  bundles are created and packed as a single file so you don’t need
  additional compressing/tarballing.

• You could also simply tarball your source repository (or just the
  .git directory), but you’ll be carrying over all the excess cache and
  garbage that builds up under .git/.