Can I use Bitbucket REST API to clone a repository?

Question

I am trying to find a way to clone all my repositories automatically. However I am not able to find an acceptable way to do the clone. I am writing a C# Console application and the only thing I have managed to get working is using git clone through Powershell using an app-password. However I do not like the idea of exposing my username and password in the url, https://:@bitbucket.org.... I would rather use a rest api where I can add the credentials in a authentication header. However I am not able to find anything on clone in the REST API documentation. What I have tried so far beside this: * git commands using ssh but the request of a passphrase every time is stopping me from doing it automatically. * Using the lib LibGit2Sharp but I cannot get it to handle long paths over 260 characters * Access token and refresh token is a way I cannot see how I could automate from a console app since the tokens will expire in between backup runs. The solution needs to be fully self sufficient. Is there a way to do that?

Theodora Boudale · Answer

Hi Patrik,

It is not possible to clone a repo via API, this can only be done with Git commands.

You mentioned

git commands using ssh but the request of a passphrase every time is stopping me from doing it automatically.

It is not required to use an SSH key pair with a passphrase. You can generate a new SSH key pair without a passphrase and use that instead.

If you prefer to use OAuth, the access token will expire after 2 hours, but the refresh token does not expire. You can therefore generate a new access token + refresh token using the refresh token from the previous run right before you start cloning the repos, and use the new access token for cloning.

Kind regards,
Theodora