---
title: Adding a repository from your local computer to GitHub Desktop
intro: 'You can add any Git repository to {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %}, even if it''s not a {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %} repository.'
redirect_from:
  - /desktop/contributing-to-projects/adding-a-repository-from-your-local-computer-to-github-desktop
  - /desktop/contributing-and-collaborating-using-github-desktop/adding-a-repository-from-your-local-computer-to-github-desktop
  - /desktop/contributing-and-collaborating-using-github-desktop/adding-and-cloning-repositories/adding-a-repository-from-your-local-computer-to-github-desktop
versions:
  fpt: '*'
  ghec: '*'
  ghes: '*'
shortTitle: Add a repository
---

> [!TIP]
> You can add a Git repository from your local computer to GitHub Desktop by dragging the folder onto the {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %} window. If you drag multiple Git folders into {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %} at the same time, each folder will be added as a separate Git repository.

{% mac %}

1. In the menu bar, select **File**, then click **Add Local Repository**.
   ![Screenshot of the menu bar on a Mac. The "File" dropdown menu is open, and an option labeled "Add Local Repository" is outlined in orange.](/assets/images/help/desktop/add-local-repository-mac.png)
1. In the "Add Local Repository" window, click **Choose...**, then use the Finder window to navigate to the local repository you want to add.
   ![Screenshot of the "Add Local Repository" window. Next to the "repository path" field, a button, labeled "Choose", is outlined in orange.](/assets/images/help/desktop/add-repo-choose-button-mac.png)
1. When you have chosen the local repository, in the "Add Local Repository" window, click **Add Repository**.

{% endmac %}

{% windows %}

1. In the menu bar, select **File**, then click **Add local repository**.
   ![Screenshot of the menu bar on Windows. The "File" dropdown menu is open, and an option labeled "Add local repository" is outlined in orange.](/assets/images/help/desktop/add-local-repository-windows.png)
1. In the "Add local repository" window, click **Choose...**, then use Windows Explorer to navigate to the local repository you want to add.
   ![Screenshot of the "Add local repository" window. Next to the "repository path" field, a button, labeled "Choose", is outlined in orange.](/assets/images/help/desktop/add-repo-choose-button-mac.png)
1. Click **Add repository**.

{% endwindows %}