diff --git a/crates/git/src/fetch.rs b/crates/git/src/fetch.rs
index 4d561de..667bb59 100644
--- a/crates/git/src/fetch.rs
+++ b/crates/git/src/fetch.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ use std::ops::Deref;
 
 use tracing::{debug, info};
 
-use super::{RepoDetails, Repository};
+use super::{LegacyRepository, RepoDetails};
 
 #[derive(Debug, derive_more::From, derive_more::Display)]
 pub enum Error {
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ pub enum Error {
 impl std::error::Error for Error {}
 
 #[tracing::instrument(skip_all, fields(repo = %repo_details))]
-pub fn fetch(repository: &Repository, repo_details: &RepoDetails) -> Result<(), Error> {
+pub fn fetch(repository: &LegacyRepository, repo_details: &RepoDetails) -> Result<(), Error> {
     let repository = repository.deref().to_thread_local();
     let Some(remote) = repository.find_default_remote(gix::remote::Direction::Fetch) else {
         return Err(Error::NoFetchRemoteFound);
diff --git a/crates/git/src/lib.rs b/crates/git/src/lib.rs
index 6427946..a33c567 100644
--- a/crates/git/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/git/src/lib.rs
@@ -19,5 +19,6 @@ pub use git_ref::GitRef;
 pub use git_remote::GitRemote;
 pub use push::push;
 pub use repo_details::RepoDetails;
+pub use repository::LegacyRepository;
 pub use repository::Repository;
 pub use validate::validate;
diff --git a/crates/git/src/push.rs b/crates/git/src/push.rs
index c4a506a..a27a45d 100644
--- a/crates/git/src/push.rs
+++ b/crates/git/src/push.rs
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ use git_next_config::BranchName;
 use secrecy::ExposeSecret;
 use tracing::{info, warn};
 
-use super::{GitRef, RepoDetails, Repository};
+use super::{GitRef, LegacyRepository, RepoDetails};
 
 #[derive(Debug)]
 pub enum Force {
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ impl std::fmt::Display for Force {
 // TODO: (#72) reimplement using `gix`
 #[tracing::instrument(skip_all, fields(branch = %branch_name, to = %to_commit, force = %force))]
 pub fn push(
-    repository: &Repository,
+    repository: &LegacyRepository,
     repo_details: &RepoDetails,
     branch_name: BranchName,
     to_commit: GitRef,
diff --git a/crates/git/src/repository.rs b/crates/git/src/repository.rs
index b3562c7..81b5288 100644
--- a/crates/git/src/repository.rs
+++ b/crates/git/src/repository.rs
@@ -1,11 +1,123 @@
 //
 use std::{ops::Deref as _, path::PathBuf, sync::atomic::AtomicBool};
 
+use git_next_config::{GitDir, Hostname, RepoPath};
+
+use crate::GitRemote;
+
 use super::RepoDetails;
 
+pub enum Repository {
+    Real,
+    Mock,
+}
+pub const fn new() -> Repository {
+    Repository::Real
+}
+pub const fn mock() -> Repository {
+    Repository::Mock
+}
+pub trait RepositoryLike {
+    fn open(&self, gitdir: &GitDir) -> Result<OpenRepository, Error>;
+    fn clone(&self, repo_details: &RepoDetails) -> Result<OpenRepository, Error>;
+}
+impl std::ops::Deref for Repository {
+    type Target = dyn RepositoryLike;
+
+    fn deref(&self) -> &Self::Target {
+        match self {
+            Self::Real => &RealRepository,
+            Self::Mock => todo!(),
+        }
+    }
+}
+struct RealRepository;
+impl RepositoryLike for RealRepository {
+    fn open(&self, gitdir: &GitDir) -> Result<OpenRepository, Error> {
+        Ok(OpenRepository::Real(RealOpenRepository(
+            gix::ThreadSafeRepository::open(gitdir.to_path_buf())?.to_thread_local(),
+        )))
+    }
+
+    fn clone(&self, repo_details: &RepoDetails) -> Result<OpenRepository, Error> {
+        use secrecy::ExposeSecret;
+        let origin = repo_details.origin();
+        let (repository, _outcome) =
+            gix::prepare_clone_bare(origin.expose_secret().as_str(), repo_details.gitdir.deref())?
+                .fetch_only(gix::progress::Discard, &AtomicBool::new(false))?;
+
+        Ok(OpenRepository::Real(RealOpenRepository(repository)))
+    }
+}
+struct MockRepository;
+impl RepositoryLike for MockRepository {
+    fn open(&self, _gitdir: &GitDir) -> Result<OpenRepository, Error> {
+        Ok(OpenRepository::Mock)
+    }
+
+    fn clone(&self, _repo_details: &RepoDetails) -> Result<OpenRepository, Error> {
+        Ok(OpenRepository::Mock)
+    }
+}
+
+pub enum OpenRepository {
+    Real(RealOpenRepository),
+    Mock, // TODO: contain a mock model of a repo
+}
+pub trait OpenRepositoryLike {
+    fn find_default_remote(&self, direction: Direction) -> Option<GitRemote>;
+}
+impl OpenRepositoryLike for OpenRepository {
+    fn find_default_remote(&self, direction: Direction) -> Option<GitRemote> {
+        match self {
+            OpenRepository::Real(real) => real.find_default_remote(direction),
+            OpenRepository::Mock => todo!(),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+struct RealOpenRepository(gix::Repository);
+impl OpenRepositoryLike for RealOpenRepository {
+    fn find_default_remote(&self, direction: Direction) -> Option<GitRemote> {
+        let repository = &self.0;
+        let Some(Ok(remote)) = repository.find_default_remote(direction.into()) else {
+            return None;
+        };
+        let Some(url) = remote.url(direction.into()) else {
+            return None;
+        };
+        let Some(host) = url.host() else {
+            return None;
+        };
+        let path = url.path.to_string();
+        let path = path.strip_prefix('/').map_or(path.as_str(), |path| path);
+        let path = path.strip_suffix(".git").map_or(path, |path| path);
+        Some(GitRemote::new(
+            Hostname::new(host),
+            RepoPath::new(path.to_string()),
+        ))
+    }
+}
+
+pub enum Direction {
+    /// Push local changes to the remote.
+    Push,
+    /// Fetch changes from the remote to the local repository.
+    Fetch,
+}
+impl From<Direction> for gix::remote::Direction {
+    fn from(value: Direction) -> Self {
+        match value {
+            Direction::Push => gix::remote::Direction::Push,
+            Direction::Fetch => gix::remote::Direction::Fetch,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, derive_more::From, derive_more::Deref)]
-pub struct Repository(gix::ThreadSafeRepository);
-impl Repository {
+#[deprecated(note = "Use Repository::Real::open() or Repository::Real::clone()")]
+pub struct LegacyRepository(gix::ThreadSafeRepository);
+impl LegacyRepository {
     pub fn open(gitdir: impl Into<PathBuf>) -> Result<Self, Error> {
         Ok(Self(gix::ThreadSafeRepository::open(gitdir.into())?))
     }
diff --git a/crates/git/src/validate.rs b/crates/git/src/validate.rs
index e86fb80..9240c22 100644
--- a/crates/git/src/validate.rs
+++ b/crates/git/src/validate.rs
@@ -1,16 +1,14 @@
-use std::ops::Deref as _;
-
-use git_next_config::{Hostname, RepoPath};
-use gix::remote::Direction;
 use tracing::info;
 
-use super::{GitRemote, RepoDetails, Repository};
+use crate::repository::{Direction, OpenRepository, OpenRepositoryLike};
+
+use super::{GitRemote, RepoDetails};
 
 #[tracing::instrument(skip_all)]
-pub fn validate(repository: &Repository, repo_details: &RepoDetails) -> Result<()> {
+pub fn validate(repository: &OpenRepository, repo_details: &RepoDetails) -> Result<()> {
     let git_remote = repo_details.git_remote();
-    let push_remote = find_default_remote(repository, Direction::Push)?;
-    let fetch_remote = find_default_remote(repository, Direction::Fetch)?;
+    let Some(push_remote) = repository.find_default_remote(Direction::Push);
+    let Some(fetch_remote) = repository.find_default_remote(Direction::Fetch);
     info!(config = %git_remote, push = %push_remote, fetch = %fetch_remote, "Check remotes match");
     if git_remote != push_remote {
         return Err(Error::MismatchDefaultPushRemote {
@@ -27,31 +25,6 @@ pub fn validate(repository: &Repository, repo_details: &RepoDetails) -> Result<(
     Ok(())
 }
 
-#[tracing::instrument(skip_all, fields(?direction))]
-pub fn find_default_remote(
-    repository: &Repository,
-    direction: gix::remote::Direction,
-) -> Result<GitRemote> {
-    let repository = repository.deref().to_thread_local();
-    let Some(Ok(remote)) = repository.find_default_remote(gix::remote::Direction::Push) else {
-        return Err(Error::NoDefaultPushRemote);
-    };
-    let Some(url) = remote.url(direction) else {
-        return Err(Error::NoUrlForDefaultPushRemote);
-    };
-    let Some(host) = url.host() else {
-        return Err(Error::NoHostnameForDefaultPushRemote);
-    };
-    let path = url.path.to_string();
-    let path = path.strip_prefix('/').map_or(path.as_str(), |path| path);
-    let path = path.strip_suffix(".git").map_or(path, |path| path);
-    info!(%host, %path, "found");
-    Ok(GitRemote::new(
-        Hostname::new(host),
-        RepoPath::new(path.to_string()),
-    ))
-}
-
 type Result<T> = core::result::Result<T, Error>;
 #[derive(Debug, derive_more::Display)]
 pub enum Error {
diff --git a/crates/server/src/actors/repo/branch.rs b/crates/server/src/actors/repo/branch.rs
index 0455e44..5c8337a 100644
--- a/crates/server/src/actors/repo/branch.rs
+++ b/crates/server/src/actors/repo/branch.rs
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ pub async fn advance_next(
     dev_commit_history: Vec<git::Commit>,
     repo_config: RepoConfig,
     forge: gitforge::Forge,
-    repository: git::Repository,
+    repository: git::LegacyRepository,
     addr: Addr<super::RepoActor>,
     message_token: super::MessageToken,
 ) {
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ pub async fn advance_main(
     next: git::Commit,
     repo_config: RepoConfig,
     forge: gitforge::Forge,
-    repository: git::Repository,
+    repository: git::LegacyRepository,
     addr: Addr<RepoActor>,
     message_token: super::MessageToken,
 ) {
diff --git a/crates/server/src/actors/repo/mod.rs b/crates/server/src/actors/repo/mod.rs
index e6689f7..1b8ad54 100644
--- a/crates/server/src/actors/repo/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/server/src/actors/repo/mod.rs
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ pub struct RepoActor {
     last_main_commit: Option<git::Commit>,
     last_next_commit: Option<git::Commit>,
     last_dev_commit: Option<git::Commit>,
-    repository: Option<git::Repository>,
+    repository: Option<git::LegacyRepository>,
     net: Network,
     forge: gitforge::Forge,
 }
diff --git a/crates/server/src/config/tests.rs b/crates/server/src/config/tests.rs
index de5572b..dfb1d7b 100644
--- a/crates/server/src/config/tests.rs
+++ b/crates/server/src/config/tests.rs
@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
 use std::collections::BTreeMap;
 
 use assert2::let_assert;
+use git::repository::Repository;
 use git_next_config::{
     ForgeType, GitDir, Hostname, RepoBranches, RepoConfig, RepoConfigSource, RepoPath,
     ServerRepoConfig,
 };
-use git_next_git::{self as git, Generation, GitRemote, Repository};
+use git_next_git::{self as git, Generation, GitRemote, LegacyRepository};
 use gix::remote::Direction;
 use kxio::fs;
 use pretty_assertions::assert_eq;
@@ -179,7 +180,7 @@ fn repo_details_find_default_push_remote_finds_correct_remote() -> Result<()> {
         .with_hostname(Hostname::new("git.kemitix.net"));
     repo_details.repo_path = RepoPath::new("kemitix/git-next".to_string());
     let gitdir = &repo_details.gitdir;
-    let repository = Repository::open(gitdir)?;
+    let repository = git::repository::new().open(gitdir)?;
     let found_git_remote = git::validate::find_default_remote(&repository, Direction::Push)?;
     let config_git_remote = repo_details.git_remote();
 
@@ -207,7 +208,7 @@ fn gitdir_validate_should_pass_a_valid_git_repo() -> Result<()> {
         .with_hostname(Hostname::new("git.kemitix.net"));
     repo_details.repo_path = RepoPath::new("kemitix/git-next".to_string());
     let gitdir = &repo_details.gitdir;
-    let repository = Repository::open(gitdir)?;
+    let repository = LegacyRepository::open(gitdir)?;
     git::validate(&repository, &repo_details)?;
 
     Ok(())
@@ -226,7 +227,7 @@ fn gitdir_validate_should_fail_a_git_repo_with_wrong_remote() -> Result<()> {
     );
     repo_details.repo_path = RepoPath::new("hello/world".to_string());
     let gitdir = &repo_details.gitdir;
-    let repository = Repository::open(gitdir)?;
+    let repository = LegacyRepository::open(gitdir)?;
     let_assert!(Err(_) = git::validate(&repository, &repo_details));
 
     Ok(())
diff --git a/crates/server/src/gitforge/forgejo/branch/validate_positions.rs b/crates/server/src/gitforge/forgejo/branch/validate_positions.rs
index baca461..ed514af 100644
--- a/crates/server/src/gitforge/forgejo/branch/validate_positions.rs
+++ b/crates/server/src/gitforge/forgejo/branch/validate_positions.rs
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ pub struct ValidatedPositions {
 
 pub async fn validate_positions(
     forge: &gitforge::forgejo::ForgeJoEnv,
-    repository: &git::Repository,
+    repository: &git::LegacyRepository,
     repo_config: RepoConfig,
 ) -> Result<ValidatedPositions, Error> {
     let repo_details = &forge.repo_details;
diff --git a/crates/server/src/gitforge/forgejo/mod.rs b/crates/server/src/gitforge/forgejo/mod.rs
index ef7a7fa..0e38960 100644
--- a/crates/server/src/gitforge/forgejo/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/server/src/gitforge/forgejo/mod.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ use std::time::Duration;
 use actix::prelude::*;
 
 use git_next_config::{BranchName, GitDir, RepoConfig};
-use git_next_git::{self as git, GitRef, RepoDetails, Repository};
+use git_next_git::{self as git, GitRef, LegacyRepository, RepoDetails, Repository};
 use kxio::network::{self, Network};
 use tracing::{error, info, warn};
 
@@ -21,10 +21,15 @@ struct ForgeJo;
 pub struct ForgeJoEnv {
     repo_details: RepoDetails,
     net: Network,
+    repo: Repository,
 }
 impl ForgeJoEnv {
-    pub(super) const fn new(repo_details: RepoDetails, net: Network) -> Self {
-        Self { repo_details, net }
+    pub(super) const fn new(repo_details: RepoDetails, net: Network, repo: Repository) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            repo_details,
+            net,
+            repo,
+        }
     }
 }
 #[async_trait::async_trait]
@@ -47,7 +52,7 @@ impl super::ForgeLike for ForgeJoEnv {
 
     async fn branches_validate_positions(
         &self,
-        repository: git::Repository,
+        repository: git::LegacyRepository,
         repo_config: RepoConfig,
         addr: Addr<RepoActor>,
         message_token: MessageToken,
@@ -71,7 +76,7 @@ impl super::ForgeLike for ForgeJoEnv {
 
     fn branch_reset(
         &self,
-        repository: &git::Repository,
+        repository: &git::LegacyRepository,
         branch_name: BranchName,
         to_commit: GitRef,
         force: git::push::Force,
@@ -130,12 +135,12 @@ impl super::ForgeLike for ForgeJoEnv {
         }
     }
 
-    fn repo_clone(&self, gitdir: GitDir) -> Result<Repository, git::repository::Error> {
+    fn repo_clone(&self, gitdir: GitDir) -> Result<LegacyRepository, git::repository::Error> {
         let repository = if !gitdir.exists() {
             info!("Local copy not found - cloning...");
-            Repository::clone(&self.repo_details)?
+            self.repo.clone(&self.repo_details)?
         } else {
-            Repository::open(gitdir)?
+            self.repo.open(&gitdir)?
         };
         info!("Validating...");
         git::validate(&repository, &self.repo_details)
diff --git a/crates/server/src/gitforge/mock_forge.rs b/crates/server/src/gitforge/mock_forge.rs
index 830e85e..bc41640 100644
--- a/crates/server/src/gitforge/mock_forge.rs
+++ b/crates/server/src/gitforge/mock_forge.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 use git_next_config::{BranchName, GitDir, RepoConfig};
-use git_next_git::{self as git, GitRef, Repository};
+use git_next_git::{self as git, GitRef, LegacyRepository};
 
 use crate::{actors::repo::RepoActor, gitforge, types::MessageToken};
 
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ impl super::ForgeLike for MockForgeEnv {
 
     async fn branches_validate_positions(
         &self,
-        _repository: Repository,
+        _repository: LegacyRepository,
         _repo_config: RepoConfig,
         _addr: actix::prelude::Addr<RepoActor>,
         _message_token: MessageToken,
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ impl super::ForgeLike for MockForgeEnv {
 
     fn branch_reset(
         &self,
-        _repository: &Repository,
+        _repository: &LegacyRepository,
         _branch_name: BranchName,
         _to_commit: GitRef,
         _force: git::push::Force,
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ impl super::ForgeLike for MockForgeEnv {
         todo!()
     }
 
-    fn repo_clone(&self, _gitdir: GitDir) -> Result<Repository, git::repository::Error> {
+    fn repo_clone(&self, _gitdir: GitDir) -> Result<LegacyRepository, git::repository::Error> {
         todo!()
     }
 }
diff --git a/crates/server/src/gitforge/mod.rs b/crates/server/src/gitforge/mod.rs
index 824f84f..528725b 100644
--- a/crates/server/src/gitforge/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/server/src/gitforge/mod.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #![allow(dead_code)]
 
 use git_next_config::{BranchName, GitDir, RepoConfig};
-use git_next_git::{self as git, GitRef, RepoDetails, Repository};
+use git_next_git::{self as git, GitRef, LegacyRepository, RepoDetails};
 use kxio::network::Network;
 
 #[cfg(feature = "forgejo")]
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ pub trait ForgeLike {
     /// positions as needed.
     async fn branches_validate_positions(
         &self,
-        repository: Repository,
+        repository: LegacyRepository,
         repo_config: RepoConfig,
         addr: actix::prelude::Addr<super::actors::repo::RepoActor>,
         message_token: MessageToken,
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ pub trait ForgeLike {
     /// Moves a branch to a new commit.
     fn branch_reset(
         &self,
-        repository: &Repository,
+        repository: &LegacyRepository,
         branch_name: BranchName,
         to_commit: GitRef,
         force: git::push::Force,
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ pub trait ForgeLike {
     async fn commit_status(&self, commit: &git::Commit) -> CommitStatus;
 
     /// Clones a repo to disk.
-    fn repo_clone(&self, gitdir: GitDir) -> Result<Repository, git::repository::Error>;
+    fn repo_clone(&self, gitdir: GitDir) -> Result<LegacyRepository, git::repository::Error>;
 }
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug)]