Bfg-repo-cleaner: How to `Examine the repo to make sure your history has been updated`

[esseti]

Hi all,
I would like to remove some files from git (using replace text).
The "tutorial" online states Examine the repo to make sure your history has been updated but, how should one do it? I generally use sourcetree, but It cannot open the folder where the edits where made.

Moreover, how can I go back if something is not correct?

[javabrett]

If you followed the instructions, the repo you have cleaned might be bare, which could explain the trouble you are having with tools inspecting it. You can clone the cleaned/bare repo then inspect the history as you normally would, to check what history has been rewritten.

If something is not correct, you can re-clone the original repo and try again.

[mccoy1]

As a follow-up to @javabrett, I wasn't sure how to "clone the cleaned/bare repo" so this article helped me figure that out. https://stackoverflow.com/questions/12450245/getting-a-working-copy-of-a-bare-repository
Learned something new!