---
title: "How to import a Git repository as a challenge"
description: "Paste a GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket or self-hosted repository link into a screen or live coding interview, choose Check, then add it as a challenge."
updated: 2026-10-06
canonical: https://kendor.io/docs/repo-import/import-from-any-git-host
---

# How to import a Git repository as a challenge
To use a repository as a challenge, paste its link into the repository field of a coding screen or a live coding interview, choose **Check** to preview what Kendor will import, then choose **Add challenge**. Kendor copies the files, sets up how the project runs, and opens the new challenge in the editor so you can review it.

> **Before you start**
>
> - You need the **Owner** or **Editor** role. Viewers can't add challenges.
> - Public repositories on github.com, gitlab.com and bitbucket.org work straight away. Private repositories and your own Git servers need a token first: see [Import a private repository](/docs/repo-import/private-repositories).

## Where to paste the link

The repository field appears in two places:

- **Coding screens.** Open **Screens**, open or create a screen, and go to the **Challenges** section. When the screen has no challenges yet, the field fills the section. Once it has one, the field sits under the list as **Paste a repository URL to add a challenge**, so you can add more.
- **Live coding interviews.** Open **Live coding** and choose **New live coding interview**. The field is in the **Code** section. A live coding interview holds one challenge, so the field only shows while it is empty.


## Links Kendor accepts

You can paste the link the way your Git host shows it. All of these work:

| Form | Example |
|---|---|
| Repository page | `https://github.com/acme/rate-limiter` |
| Without `https://` | `gitlab.com/acme/rate-limiter` |
| HTTPS clone URL | `https://bitbucket.org/acme/rate-limiter.git` |
| SSH clone URL | `git@github.com:acme/rate-limiter.git` |
| Branch or folder page | `https://github.com/acme/platform/tree/main/services/api` |
| GitHub shorthand | `acme/rate-limiter` or `acme/rate-limiter@v2` |

The shorthand only works for github.com. The part after `@` is a branch, tag or commit; without it, Kendor uses the default branch. To import a single branch or folder, paste its page link, as described in [Import one folder or branch](/docs/repo-import/monorepo-folders).

A link to a single file, such as GitHub's `/blob/` pages, isn't accepted. Use the repository, branch or folder link instead.

## Supported Git hosts

| Host | Needs a token |
|---|---|
| github.com | Only for private repositories |
| gitlab.com | Only for private repositories |
| bitbucket.org (Bitbucket Cloud) | Only for private repositories |
| GitHub Enterprise Server | Always: the server must be added first |
| GitLab self-managed | Always: the server must be added first |
| Gitea or Forgejo | Always: the server must be added first |

GitLab subgroups work, for example `https://gitlab.com/acme/backend/payments`. Bitbucket Data Center (the self-hosted Bitbucket) isn't supported.

If you paste a link to a server your organization hasn't added, the check stops with a message that the host isn't connected, and a **Connect it in Integrations settings** link.

## What the check shows

**Check** is a dry run that changes nothing. The result shows:

- the host, owner, repository, folder and the branch or commit it resolved to
- the number of files and their total size
- whether the project has a run setup (see below)
- the language Kendor detected, such as **detected Node.js 22**

Below that you can adjust the challenge before adding it:

- **Title**, suggested from the repository or folder name
- **Language**, the main language and version, plus any extra languages the project uses
- **Databases**, when the project needs PostgreSQL or Valkey
- **How it runs**, a summary of the services Kendor will start

If you change the link, choose **Re-check** before adding.

## How Kendor sets up the project

Every challenge runs from a `kendor.yaml` file that says how to install and start the project. During the check Kendor looks for one at the root of what you import:

- **kendor.yaml found**: the repository's own file is used as it is. The language version comes from the file, so it can't be changed in the language picker.
- **run setup detected — review it in the editor**: there is no `kendor.yaml`, so Kendor writes one from what it finds, such as `package.json`, `go.mod`, `pyproject.toml`, `composer.json` or `Cargo.toml`. Repositories with one project per folder get one service per folder. The new challenge opens with the detected setup ready for you to review.
- **no kendor.yaml — configure the runtime in the editor**: Kendor couldn't tell how the project starts. Candidates get a terminal until you set it up.

See the [kendor.yaml reference](/docs/environments/kendor-yaml-reference) for the file format.

## What gets imported

Kendor copies the files, not the Git history. It leaves out dependency and build folders, including `node_modules`, `vendor`, `.git`, `dist`, `build`, `target`, `.venv` and `__pycache__`, so candidates install dependencies fresh.

The import has these limits, counted after those folders are left out:

| Limit | Value |
|---|---|
| Files | 5,000 |
| Total size | 50 MB |
| Largest single file | 5 MB |
| Download from the host | 80 MB |

A repository over the file limit fails with a suggestion to import a subfolder instead.

> **Tip.** If you see a rate-limit message, wait a few minutes, or have an owner add a token for that host, which raises the limit.

## After you add the challenge

**Add challenge** creates the challenge and opens it in the editor, where you can check that it runs and write the brief. The challenge keeps a fixed copy of the files: later pushes to the repository don't change it. See [Snapshots and updates](/docs/repo-import/snapshots-and-updates).