# Importing Sources

## Importing already existing Debian™ packages

Importing an already existing Debian™ package into a Git™ repository is as easy as:

      gbp import-dsc package_0.1-1.dsc

This will create a new Git™ repository named after the imported package, put the upstream sources onto the `upstream-branch` and the Debian™ patch on the `debian-branch`. In case of a Debian™ native package, only the `debian-branch` is being used. You can specify alternative branch names via the `--upstream-branch` and `--debian-branch` options, or via the `upstream-branch` and `debian-branch` options in the configuration file.

If you want to be able to exactly recreate the original tarball (orig.tar.gz) from Git™, you should also specify the `--pristine-tar` option. This is recommended.

If you want to import further versions, you can change into your shiny new Git™ repository and just continue with the same command:

      cd package/
      gbp import-dsc package_0.1-2.dsc
      gbp import-dsc package_0.1-3.dsc
      gbp import-dsc package_0.2-1.dsc

Or you can import all versions at once using gbp import-dscs:

      gbp import-dscs /path/to/history/package_*.dsc

This will create a Git™ repository if necessary and import all versions sorted by version number.

You can also import all versions of a package known from the snapshot.debian.org service using the `--debsnap` option of gbp import-dscs:

      gbp import-dscs --debsnap package