Is it safe to use a copied git repo?

Question

If I make a copy of a tracked folder using rsync -a or cp -R, can I then use the copy as if it were a git clone, or will that cause all sorts of weird

Answer 1

When you clone someone else’s repository, it basically just copies the contents of this directory to your computer.

From the real good Git Internals (Scott Chacon) from Peepcode Press. (Page 44) So just the reference to the origin is missing as far as I'm concerned/I see.

With best regards.