diff --git a/command.py b/command.py
index 287f4d3..207ef46 100644
--- a/command.py
+++ b/command.py
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@
   def GetProjects(self, args, missing_ok=False, submodules_ok=False):
     """A list of projects that match the arguments.
     """
-    all_projects = self.manifest.projects
+    all_projects_list = self.manifest.projects
     result = []
 
     mp = self.manifest.manifestProject
@@ -140,7 +140,6 @@
     groups = [x for x in re.split(r'[,\s]+', groups) if x]
 
     if not args:
-      all_projects_list = list(all_projects.values())
       derived_projects = {}
       for project in all_projects_list:
         if submodules_ok or project.sync_s:
@@ -152,12 +151,12 @@
             project.MatchesGroups(groups)):
           result.append(project)
     else:
-      self._ResetPathToProjectMap(all_projects.values())
+      self._ResetPathToProjectMap(all_projects_list)
 
       for arg in args:
-        project = all_projects.get(arg)
+        projects = self.manifest.GetProjectsWithName(arg)
 
-        if not project:
+        if not projects:
           path = os.path.abspath(arg).replace('\\', '/')
           project = self._GetProjectByPath(path)
 
@@ -172,14 +171,19 @@
             if search_again:
               project = self._GetProjectByPath(path) or project
 
-        if not project:
-          raise NoSuchProjectError(arg)
-        if not missing_ok and not project.Exists:
-          raise NoSuchProjectError(arg)
-        if not project.MatchesGroups(groups):
-          raise InvalidProjectGroupsError(arg)
+          if project:
+            projects = [project]
 
-        result.append(project)
+        if not projects:
+          raise NoSuchProjectError(arg)
+
+        for project in projects:
+          if not missing_ok and not project.Exists:
+            raise NoSuchProjectError(arg)
+          if not project.MatchesGroups(groups):
+            raise InvalidProjectGroupsError(arg)
+
+        result.extend(projects)
 
     def _getpath(x):
       return x.relpath
diff --git a/docs/manifest-format.txt b/docs/manifest-format.txt
index dcc90d0..e48b75f 100644
--- a/docs/manifest-format.txt
+++ b/docs/manifest-format.txt
@@ -27,15 +27,15 @@
                         remove-project*,
                         project*,
                         repo-hooks?)>
-  
+
     <!ELEMENT notice (#PCDATA)>
-  
+
     <!ELEMENT remote (EMPTY)>
     <!ATTLIST remote name         ID    #REQUIRED>
     <!ATTLIST remote alias        CDATA #IMPLIED>
     <!ATTLIST remote fetch        CDATA #REQUIRED>
     <!ATTLIST remote review       CDATA #IMPLIED>
-  
+
     <!ELEMENT default (EMPTY)>
     <!ATTLIST default remote      IDREF #IMPLIED>
     <!ATTLIST default revision    CDATA #IMPLIED>
@@ -46,8 +46,8 @@
 
     <!ELEMENT manifest-server (EMPTY)>
     <!ATTLIST url              CDATA #REQUIRED>
-  
-    <!ELEMENT project (annotation?,
+
+    <!ELEMENT project (annotation*,
                        project*)>
     <!ATTLIST project name        CDATA #REQUIRED>
     <!ATTLIST project path        CDATA #IMPLIED>
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@
     <!ATTLIST annotation name  CDATA #REQUIRED>
     <!ATTLIST annotation value CDATA #REQUIRED>
     <!ATTLIST annotation keep  CDATA "true">
-  
+
     <!ELEMENT remove-project (EMPTY)>
     <!ATTLIST remove-project name  CDATA #REQUIRED>
 
diff --git a/git_command.py b/git_command.py
index d347dd6..51f5e3c 100644
--- a/git_command.py
+++ b/git_command.py
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@
     global _git_version
 
     if _git_version is None:
-      ver_str = git.version()
+      ver_str = git.version().decode('utf-8')
       if ver_str.startswith('git version '):
         _git_version = tuple(
           map(int,
diff --git a/git_config.py b/git_config.py
index a294a0b..f6093a2 100644
--- a/git_config.py
+++ b/git_config.py
@@ -304,8 +304,8 @@
     d = self._do('--null', '--list')
     if d is None:
       return c
-    for line in d.rstrip('\0').split('\0'):  # pylint: disable=W1401
-                                             # Backslash is not anomalous
+    for line in d.decode('utf-8').rstrip('\0').split('\0'):  # pylint: disable=W1401
+                                                             # Backslash is not anomalous
       if '\n' in line:
         key, val = line.split('\n', 1)
       else:
diff --git a/git_refs.py b/git_refs.py
index 4dd6876..3c26606 100644
--- a/git_refs.py
+++ b/git_refs.py
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@
   def _ReadPackedRefs(self):
     path = os.path.join(self._gitdir, 'packed-refs')
     try:
-      fd = open(path, 'rb')
+      fd = open(path, 'r')
       mtime = os.path.getmtime(path)
     except IOError:
       return
diff --git a/hooks/commit-msg b/hooks/commit-msg
index b37dfaa..5ca2b11 100755
--- a/hooks/commit-msg
+++ b/hooks/commit-msg
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 #!/bin/sh
-# From Gerrit Code Review 2.5.2
+# From Gerrit Code Review 2.6
 #
 # Part of Gerrit Code Review (http://code.google.com/p/gerrit/)
 #
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@
 		if (unprinted) {
 			print "Change-Id: I'"$id"'"
 		}
-	}' "$MSG" > $T && mv $T "$MSG" || rm -f $T
+	}' "$MSG" > "$T" && mv "$T" "$MSG" || rm -f "$T"
 }
 _gen_ChangeIdInput() {
 	echo "tree `git write-tree`"
diff --git a/hooks/pre-auto-gc b/hooks/pre-auto-gc
index 360e5e1..4340302 100755
--- a/hooks/pre-auto-gc
+++ b/hooks/pre-auto-gc
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@
 then
 	exit 0
 elif test -x /usr/bin/pmset && /usr/bin/pmset -g batt |
-	grep -q "Currently drawing from 'AC Power'"
+	grep -q "drawing from 'AC Power'"
 then
 	exit 0
 elif test -d /sys/bus/acpi/drivers/battery && test 0 = \
diff --git a/manifest_xml.py b/manifest_xml.py
index f1d3eda..c5f3bcc 100644
--- a/manifest_xml.py
+++ b/manifest_xml.py
@@ -215,8 +215,9 @@
       root.appendChild(doc.createTextNode(''))
 
     def output_projects(parent, parent_node, projects):
-      for p in projects:
-        output_project(parent, parent_node, self.projects[p])
+      for project_name in projects:
+        for project in self._projects[project_name]:
+          output_project(parent, parent_node, project)
 
     def output_project(parent, parent_node, p):
       if not p.MatchesGroups(groups):
@@ -235,7 +236,7 @@
         e.setAttribute('path', relpath)
       remoteName = None
       if d.remote:
-          remoteName = d.remote.remoteAlias or d.remote.name
+        remoteName = d.remote.remoteAlias or d.remote.name
       if not d.remote or p.remote.name != remoteName:
         e.setAttribute('remote', p.remote.name)
       if peg_rev:
@@ -277,13 +278,11 @@
         e.setAttribute('sync-s', 'true')
 
       if p.subprojects:
-        sort_projects = list(sorted([subp.name for subp in p.subprojects]))
-        output_projects(p, e, sort_projects)
+        subprojects = set(subp.name for subp in p.subprojects)
+        output_projects(p, e, list(sorted(subprojects)))
 
-    sort_projects = list(sorted([key for key, value in self.projects.items()
-                     if not value.parent]))
-    sort_projects.sort()
-    output_projects(None, root, sort_projects)
+    projects = set(p.name for p in self._paths.values() if not p.parent)
+    output_projects(None, root, list(sorted(projects)))
 
     if self._repo_hooks_project:
       root.appendChild(doc.createTextNode(''))
@@ -296,9 +295,14 @@
     doc.writexml(fd, '', '  ', '\n', 'UTF-8')
 
   @property
+  def paths(self):
+    self._Load()
+    return self._paths
+
+  @property
   def projects(self):
     self._Load()
-    return self._projects
+    return self._paths.values()
 
   @property
   def remotes(self):
@@ -329,9 +333,14 @@
   def IsMirror(self):
     return self.manifestProject.config.GetBoolean('repo.mirror')
 
+  @property
+  def IsArchive(self):
+    return self.manifestProject.config.GetBoolean('repo.archive')
+
   def _Unload(self):
     self._loaded = False
     self._projects = {}
+    self._paths = {}
     self._remotes = {}
     self._default = None
     self._repo_hooks_project = None
@@ -463,11 +472,17 @@
         self._manifest_server = url
 
     def recursively_add_projects(project):
-      if self._projects.get(project.name):
+      projects = self._projects.setdefault(project.name, [])
+      if project.relpath is None:
         raise ManifestParseError(
-            'duplicate project %s in %s' %
+            'missing path for %s in %s' %
             (project.name, self.manifestFile))
-      self._projects[project.name] = project
+      if project.relpath in self._paths:
+        raise ManifestParseError(
+            'duplicate path %s in %s' %
+            (project.relpath, self.manifestFile))
+      self._paths[project.relpath] = project
+      projects.append(project)
       for subproject in project.subprojects:
         recursively_add_projects(subproject)
 
@@ -488,12 +503,18 @@
 
         # Store a reference to the Project.
         try:
-          self._repo_hooks_project = self._projects[repo_hooks_project]
+          repo_hooks_projects = self._projects[repo_hooks_project]
         except KeyError:
           raise ManifestParseError(
               'project %s not found for repo-hooks' %
               (repo_hooks_project))
 
+        if len(repo_hooks_projects) != 1:
+          raise ManifestParseError(
+              'internal error parsing repo-hooks in %s' %
+              (self.manifestFile))
+        self._repo_hooks_project = repo_hooks_projects[0]
+
         # Store the enabled hooks in the Project object.
         self._repo_hooks_project.enabled_repo_hooks = enabled_repo_hooks
       if node.nodeName == 'remove-project':
@@ -540,11 +561,12 @@
                         name = name,
                         remote = remote.ToRemoteSpec(name),
                         gitdir = gitdir,
+                        objdir = gitdir,
                         worktree = None,
                         relpath = None,
                         revisionExpr = m.revisionExpr,
                         revisionId = None)
-      self._projects[project.name] = project
+      self._projects[project.name] = [project]
 
   def _ParseRemote(self, node):
     """
@@ -704,9 +726,10 @@
     groups = [x for x in re.split(r'[,\s]+', groups) if x]
 
     if parent is None:
-      relpath, worktree, gitdir = self.GetProjectPaths(name, path)
+      relpath, worktree, gitdir, objdir = self.GetProjectPaths(name, path)
     else:
-      relpath, worktree, gitdir = self.GetSubprojectPaths(parent, path)
+      relpath, worktree, gitdir, objdir = \
+          self.GetSubprojectPaths(parent, name, path)
 
     default_groups = ['all', 'name:%s' % name, 'path:%s' % relpath]
     groups.extend(set(default_groups).difference(groups))
@@ -719,6 +742,7 @@
                       name = name,
                       remote = remote.ToRemoteSpec(name),
                       gitdir = gitdir,
+                      objdir = objdir,
                       worktree = worktree,
                       relpath = relpath,
                       revisionExpr = revisionExpr,
@@ -747,10 +771,15 @@
     if self.IsMirror:
       worktree = None
       gitdir = os.path.join(self.topdir, '%s.git' % name)
+      objdir = gitdir
     else:
       worktree = os.path.join(self.topdir, path).replace('\\', '/')
       gitdir = os.path.join(self.repodir, 'projects', '%s.git' % path)
-    return relpath, worktree, gitdir
+      objdir = os.path.join(self.repodir, 'project-objects', '%s.git' % name)
+    return relpath, worktree, gitdir, objdir
+
+  def GetProjectsWithName(self, name):
+    return self._projects.get(name, [])
 
   def GetSubprojectName(self, parent, submodule_path):
     return os.path.join(parent.name, submodule_path)
@@ -761,14 +790,15 @@
   def _UnjoinRelpath(self, parent_relpath, relpath):
     return os.path.relpath(relpath, parent_relpath)
 
-  def GetSubprojectPaths(self, parent, path):
+  def GetSubprojectPaths(self, parent, name, path):
     relpath = self._JoinRelpath(parent.relpath, path)
     gitdir = os.path.join(parent.gitdir, 'subprojects', '%s.git' % path)
+    objdir = os.path.join(parent.gitdir, 'subproject-objects', '%s.git' % name)
     if self.IsMirror:
       worktree = None
     else:
       worktree = os.path.join(parent.worktree, path).replace('\\', '/')
-    return relpath, worktree, gitdir
+    return relpath, worktree, gitdir, objdir
 
   def _ParseCopyFile(self, project, node):
     src = self._reqatt(node, 'src')
diff --git a/project.py b/project.py
index a6a8860..a1249a8 100644
--- a/project.py
+++ b/project.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 import stat
 import subprocess
 import sys
+import tarfile
 import tempfile
 import time
 
@@ -82,7 +83,7 @@
   """
   global _project_hook_list
   if _project_hook_list is None:
-    d = os.path.abspath(os.path.dirname(__file__))
+    d = os.path.realpath(os.path.abspath(os.path.dirname(__file__)))
     d = os.path.join(d , 'hooks')
     _project_hook_list = [os.path.join(d, x) for x in os.listdir(d)]
   return _project_hook_list
@@ -487,6 +488,7 @@
                name,
                remote,
                gitdir,
+               objdir,
                worktree,
                relpath,
                revisionExpr,
@@ -507,6 +509,7 @@
       name: The `name` attribute of manifest.xml's project element.
       remote: RemoteSpec object specifying its remote's properties.
       gitdir: Absolute path of git directory.
+      objdir: Absolute path of directory to store git objects.
       worktree: Absolute path of git working tree.
       relpath: Relative path of git working tree to repo's top directory.
       revisionExpr: The `revision` attribute of manifest.xml's project element.
@@ -525,6 +528,7 @@
     self.name = name
     self.remote = remote
     self.gitdir = gitdir.replace('\\', '/')
+    self.objdir = objdir.replace('\\', '/')
     if worktree:
       self.worktree = worktree.replace('\\', '/')
     else:
@@ -557,11 +561,12 @@
                     defaults =  self.manifest.globalConfig)
 
     if self.worktree:
-      self.work_git = self._GitGetByExec(self, bare=False)
+      self.work_git = self._GitGetByExec(self, bare=False, gitdir=gitdir)
     else:
       self.work_git = None
-    self.bare_git = self._GitGetByExec(self, bare=True)
+    self.bare_git = self._GitGetByExec(self, bare=True, gitdir=gitdir)
     self.bare_ref = GitRefs(gitdir)
+    self.bare_objdir = self._GitGetByExec(self, bare=True, gitdir=objdir)
     self.dest_branch = dest_branch
 
     # This will be filled in if a project is later identified to be the
@@ -982,15 +987,62 @@
 
 ## Sync ##
 
+  def _ExtractArchive(self, tarpath, path=None):
+    """Extract the given tar on its current location
+
+    Args:
+        - tarpath: The path to the actual tar file
+
+    """
+    try:
+      with tarfile.open(tarpath, 'r') as tar:
+        tar.extractall(path=path)
+        return True
+    except (IOError, tarfile.TarError) as e:
+      print("error: Cannot extract archive %s: "
+            "%s" % (tarpath, str(e)), file=sys.stderr)
+    return False
+
   def Sync_NetworkHalf(self,
       quiet=False,
       is_new=None,
       current_branch_only=False,
       clone_bundle=True,
-      no_tags=False):
+      no_tags=False,
+      archive=False):
     """Perform only the network IO portion of the sync process.
        Local working directory/branch state is not affected.
     """
+    if archive and not isinstance(self, MetaProject):
+      if self.remote.url.startswith(('http://', 'https://')):
+        print("error: %s: Cannot fetch archives from http/https "
+              "remotes." % self.name, file=sys.stderr)
+        return False
+
+      name = self.relpath.replace('\\', '/')
+      name = name.replace('/', '_')
+      tarpath = '%s.tar' % name
+      topdir = self.manifest.topdir
+
+      try:
+        self._FetchArchive(tarpath, cwd=topdir)
+      except GitError as e:
+        print('error: %s' % str(e), file=sys.stderr)
+        return False
+
+      # From now on, we only need absolute tarpath
+      tarpath = os.path.join(topdir, tarpath)
+
+      if not self._ExtractArchive(tarpath, path=topdir):
+        return False
+      try:
+        os.remove(tarpath)
+      except OSError as e:
+        print("warn: Cannot remove archive %s: "
+              "%s" % (tarpath, str(e)), file=sys.stderr)
+      self._CopyFiles()
+      return True
+
     if is_new is None:
       is_new = not self.Exists
     if is_new:
@@ -1069,6 +1121,7 @@
     """Perform only the local IO portion of the sync process.
        Network access is not required.
     """
+    self._InitWorkTree()
     all_refs = self.bare_ref.all
     self.CleanPublishedCache(all_refs)
     revid = self.GetRevisionId(all_refs)
@@ -1077,7 +1130,6 @@
       self._FastForward(revid)
       self._CopyFiles()
 
-    self._InitWorkTree()
     head = self.work_git.GetHead()
     if head.startswith(R_HEADS):
       branch = head[len(R_HEADS):]
@@ -1165,7 +1217,7 @@
     last_mine = None
     cnt_mine = 0
     for commit in local_changes:
-      commit_id, committer_email = commit.split(' ', 1)
+      commit_id, committer_email = commit.decode('utf-8').split(' ', 1)
       if committer_email == self.UserEmail:
         last_mine = commit_id
         cnt_mine += 1
@@ -1544,11 +1596,13 @@
       return result
     for rev, path, url in self._GetSubmodules():
       name = self.manifest.GetSubprojectName(self, path)
-      project = self.manifest.projects.get(name)
+      relpath, worktree, gitdir, objdir = \
+          self.manifest.GetSubprojectPaths(self, name, path)
+      project = self.manifest.paths.get(relpath)
       if project:
         result.extend(project.GetDerivedSubprojects())
         continue
-      relpath, worktree, gitdir = self.manifest.GetSubprojectPaths(self, path)
+
       remote = RemoteSpec(self.remote.name,
                           url = url,
                           review = self.remote.review)
@@ -1556,6 +1610,7 @@
                            name = name,
                            remote = remote,
                            gitdir = gitdir,
+                           objdir = objdir,
                            worktree = worktree,
                            relpath = relpath,
                            revisionExpr = self.revisionExpr,
@@ -1573,6 +1628,19 @@
 
 ## Direct Git Commands ##
 
+  def _FetchArchive(self, tarpath, cwd=None):
+    cmd = ['archive', '-v', '-o', tarpath]
+    cmd.append('--remote=%s' % self.remote.url)
+    cmd.append('--prefix=%s/' % self.relpath)
+    cmd.append(self.revisionExpr)
+
+    command = GitCommand(self, cmd, cwd=cwd,
+                         capture_stdout=True,
+                         capture_stderr=True)
+
+    if command.Wait() != 0:
+      raise GitError('git archive %s: %s' % (self.name, command.stderr))
+
   def _RemoteFetch(self, name=None,
                    current_branch_only=False,
                    initial=False,
@@ -1843,11 +1911,11 @@
             cookiefile = line[len(prefix):]
             break
         if p.wait():
-          line = iter(p.stderr).next()
-          if ' -print_config' in line:
+          err_msg = p.stderr.read()
+          if ' -print_config' in err_msg:
             pass  # Persistent proxy doesn't support -print_config.
           else:
-            print(line + p.stderr.read(), file=sys.stderr)
+            print(err_msg, file=sys.stderr)
         if cookiefile:
           return cookiefile
       except OSError as e:
@@ -1908,8 +1976,17 @@
 
   def _InitGitDir(self, mirror_git=None):
     if not os.path.exists(self.gitdir):
-      os.makedirs(self.gitdir)
-      self.bare_git.init()
+
+      # Initialize the bare repository, which contains all of the objects.
+      if not os.path.exists(self.objdir):
+        os.makedirs(self.objdir)
+        self.bare_objdir.init()
+
+      # If we have a separate directory to hold refs, initialize it as well.
+      if self.objdir != self.gitdir:
+        os.makedirs(self.gitdir)
+        self._ReferenceGitDir(self.objdir, self.gitdir, share_refs=False,
+                              copy_all=True)
 
       mp = self.manifest.manifestProject
       ref_dir = mp.config.GetString('repo.reference') or ''
@@ -1958,7 +2035,7 @@
       self._InitHooks()
 
   def _InitHooks(self):
-    hooks = self._gitdir_path('hooks')
+    hooks = os.path.realpath(self._gitdir_path('hooks'))
     if not os.path.exists(hooks):
       os.makedirs(hooks)
     for stock_hook in _ProjectHooks():
@@ -2025,33 +2102,61 @@
         msg = 'manifest set to %s' % self.revisionExpr
         self.bare_git.symbolic_ref('-m', msg, ref, dst)
 
+  def _ReferenceGitDir(self, gitdir, dotgit, share_refs, copy_all):
+    """Update |dotgit| to reference |gitdir|, using symlinks where possible.
+
+    Args:
+      gitdir: The bare git repository. Must already be initialized.
+      dotgit: The repository you would like to initialize.
+      share_refs: If true, |dotgit| will store its refs under |gitdir|.
+          Only one work tree can store refs under a given |gitdir|.
+      copy_all: If true, copy all remaining files from |gitdir| -> |dotgit|.
+          This saves you the effort of initializing |dotgit| yourself.
+    """
+    # These objects can be shared between several working trees.
+    symlink_files = ['description', 'info']
+    symlink_dirs = ['hooks', 'objects', 'rr-cache', 'svn']
+    if share_refs:
+      # These objects can only be used by a single working tree.
+      symlink_files += ['config', 'packed-refs']
+      symlink_dirs += ['logs', 'refs']
+    to_symlink = symlink_files + symlink_dirs
+
+    to_copy = []
+    if copy_all:
+      to_copy = os.listdir(gitdir)
+
+    for name in set(to_copy).union(to_symlink):
+      try:
+        src = os.path.realpath(os.path.join(gitdir, name))
+        dst = os.path.realpath(os.path.join(dotgit, name))
+
+        if os.path.lexists(dst) and not os.path.islink(dst):
+          raise GitError('cannot overwrite a local work tree')
+
+        # If the source dir doesn't exist, create an empty dir.
+        if name in symlink_dirs and not os.path.lexists(src):
+          os.makedirs(src)
+
+        if name in to_symlink:
+          os.symlink(os.path.relpath(src, os.path.dirname(dst)), dst)
+        elif copy_all and not os.path.islink(dst):
+          if os.path.isdir(src):
+            shutil.copytree(src, dst)
+          elif os.path.isfile(src):
+            shutil.copy(src, dst)
+      except OSError as e:
+        if e.errno == errno.EPERM:
+          raise GitError('filesystem must support symlinks')
+        else:
+          raise
+
   def _InitWorkTree(self):
     dotgit = os.path.join(self.worktree, '.git')
     if not os.path.exists(dotgit):
       os.makedirs(dotgit)
-
-      for name in ['config',
-                   'description',
-                   'hooks',
-                   'info',
-                   'logs',
-                   'objects',
-                   'packed-refs',
-                   'refs',
-                   'rr-cache',
-                   'svn']:
-        try:
-          src = os.path.join(self.gitdir, name)
-          dst = os.path.join(dotgit, name)
-          if os.path.islink(dst) or not os.path.exists(dst):
-            os.symlink(os.path.relpath(src, os.path.dirname(dst)), dst)
-          else:
-            raise GitError('cannot overwrite a local work tree')
-        except OSError as e:
-          if e.errno == errno.EPERM:
-            raise GitError('filesystem must support symlinks')
-          else:
-            raise
+      self._ReferenceGitDir(self.gitdir, dotgit, share_refs=True,
+                            copy_all=False)
 
       _lwrite(os.path.join(dotgit, HEAD), '%s\n' % self.GetRevisionId())
 
@@ -2061,14 +2166,10 @@
       if GitCommand(self, cmd).Wait() != 0:
         raise GitError("cannot initialize work tree")
 
-      rr_cache = os.path.join(self.gitdir, 'rr-cache')
-      if not os.path.exists(rr_cache):
-        os.makedirs(rr_cache)
-
       self._CopyFiles()
 
   def _gitdir_path(self, path):
-    return os.path.join(self.gitdir, path)
+    return os.path.realpath(os.path.join(self.gitdir, path))
 
   def _revlist(self, *args, **kw):
     a = []
@@ -2081,9 +2182,10 @@
     return self.bare_ref.all
 
   class _GitGetByExec(object):
-    def __init__(self, project, bare):
+    def __init__(self, project, bare, gitdir):
       self._project = project
       self._bare = bare
+      self._gitdir = gitdir
 
     def LsOthers(self):
       p = GitCommand(self._project,
@@ -2092,6 +2194,7 @@
                       '--others',
                       '--exclude-standard'],
                      bare = False,
+                     gitdir=self._gitdir,
                      capture_stdout = True,
                      capture_stderr = True)
       if p.Wait() == 0:
@@ -2107,6 +2210,7 @@
       cmd.extend(args)
       p = GitCommand(self._project,
                      cmd,
+                     gitdir=self._gitdir,
                      bare = False,
                      capture_stdout = True,
                      capture_stderr = True)
@@ -2216,6 +2320,7 @@
       p = GitCommand(self._project,
                      cmdv,
                      bare = self._bare,
+                     gitdir=self._gitdir,
                      capture_stdout = True,
                      capture_stderr = True)
       r = []
@@ -2268,6 +2373,7 @@
         p = GitCommand(self._project,
                        cmdv,
                        bare = self._bare,
+                       gitdir=self._gitdir,
                        capture_stdout = True,
                        capture_stderr = True)
         if p.Wait() != 0:
@@ -2401,6 +2507,7 @@
                      manifest = manifest,
                      name = name,
                      gitdir = gitdir,
+                     objdir = gitdir,
                      worktree = worktree,
                      remote = RemoteSpec('origin'),
                      relpath = '.repo/%s' % name,
diff --git a/repo b/repo
index 62e6ea5..56d784f 100755
--- a/repo
+++ b/repo
@@ -110,6 +110,7 @@
 MIN_PYTHON_VERSION = (2, 6)     # minimum supported python version
 
 
+import errno
 import optparse
 import os
 import re
@@ -138,10 +139,9 @@
 # Python version check
 ver = sys.version_info
 if ver[0] == 3:
-  _print('error: Python 3 support is not fully implemented in repo yet.\n'
+  _print('warning: Python 3 support is currently experimental. YMMV.\n'
          'Please use Python 2.6 - 2.7 instead.',
          file=sys.stderr)
-  sys.exit(1)
 if (ver[0], ver[1]) < MIN_PYTHON_VERSION:
   _print('error: Python version %s unsupported.\n'
          'Please use Python 2.6 - 2.7 instead.'
@@ -181,6 +181,10 @@
 group.add_option('--depth', type='int', default=None,
                  dest='depth',
                  help='create a shallow clone with given depth; see git clone')
+group.add_option('--archive',
+                 dest='archive', action='store_true',
+                 help='checkout an archive instead of a git repository for '
+                      'each project. See git archive.')
 group.add_option('-g', '--groups',
                  dest='groups', default='default',
                  help='restrict manifest projects to ones with specified '
@@ -240,10 +244,10 @@
     _print("fatal: invalid branch name '%s'" % branch, file=sys.stderr)
     raise CloneFailure()
 
-  if not os.path.isdir(repodir):
-    try:
-      os.mkdir(repodir)
-    except OSError as e:
+  try:
+    os.mkdir(repodir)
+  except OSError as e:
+    if e.errno != errno.EEXIST:
       _print('fatal: cannot make %s directory: %s'
              % (repodir, e.strerror), file=sys.stderr)
       # Don't raise CloneFailure; that would delete the
@@ -322,18 +326,18 @@
 
 
 def SetupGnuPG(quiet):
-  if not os.path.isdir(home_dot_repo):
-    try:
-      os.mkdir(home_dot_repo)
-    except OSError as e:
+  try:
+    os.mkdir(home_dot_repo)
+  except OSError as e:
+    if e.errno != errno.EEXIST:
       _print('fatal: cannot make %s directory: %s'
              % (home_dot_repo, e.strerror), file=sys.stderr)
       sys.exit(1)
 
-  if not os.path.isdir(gpg_dir):
-    try:
-      os.mkdir(gpg_dir, stat.S_IRWXU)
-    except OSError as e:
+  try:
+    os.mkdir(gpg_dir, stat.S_IRWXU)
+  except OSError as e:
+    if e.errno != errno.EEXIST:
       _print('fatal: cannot make %s directory: %s' % (gpg_dir, e.strerror),
              file=sys.stderr)
       sys.exit(1)
diff --git a/subcmds/branches.py b/subcmds/branches.py
index c2e7c4b..f714c1e 100644
--- a/subcmds/branches.py
+++ b/subcmds/branches.py
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@
       if in_cnt < project_cnt:
         fmt = out.write
         paths = []
-        if in_cnt < project_cnt - in_cnt: 
+        if in_cnt < project_cnt - in_cnt:
           in_type = 'in'
           for b in i.projects:
             paths.append(b.project.relpath)
diff --git a/subcmds/init.py b/subcmds/init.py
index a44fb7a..b1fcb69 100644
--- a/subcmds/init.py
+++ b/subcmds/init.py
@@ -99,6 +99,10 @@
     g.add_option('--depth', type='int', default=None,
                  dest='depth',
                  help='create a shallow clone with given depth; see git clone')
+    g.add_option('--archive',
+                 dest='archive', action='store_true',
+                 help='checkout an archive instead of a git repository for '
+                      'each project. See git archive.')
     g.add_option('-g', '--groups',
                  dest='groups', default='default',
                  help='restrict manifest projects to ones with specified '
@@ -198,6 +202,16 @@
     if opt.reference:
       m.config.SetString('repo.reference', opt.reference)
 
+    if opt.archive:
+      if is_new:
+        m.config.SetString('repo.archive', 'true')
+      else:
+        print('fatal: --archive is only supported when initializing a new '
+              'workspace.', file=sys.stderr)
+        print('Either delete the .repo folder in this workspace, or initialize '
+              'in another location.', file=sys.stderr)
+        sys.exit(1)
+
     if opt.mirror:
       if is_new:
         m.config.SetString('repo.mirror', 'true')
@@ -366,6 +380,13 @@
     if opt.reference:
       opt.reference = os.path.expanduser(opt.reference)
 
+    # Check this here, else manifest will be tagged "not new" and init won't be
+    # possible anymore without removing the .repo/manifests directory.
+    if opt.archive and opt.mirror:
+      print('fatal: --mirror and --archive cannot be used together.',
+            file=sys.stderr)
+      sys.exit(1)
+
     self._SyncManifest(opt)
     self._LinkManifest(opt.manifest_name)
 
diff --git a/subcmds/rebase.py b/subcmds/rebase.py
index b9a7774..1bdc1f0 100644
--- a/subcmds/rebase.py
+++ b/subcmds/rebase.py
@@ -62,6 +62,9 @@
     if opt.interactive and not one_project:
       print('error: interactive rebase not supported with multiple projects',
             file=sys.stderr)
+      if len(args) == 1:
+        print('note: project %s is mapped to more than one path' % (args[0],),
+            file=sys.stderr)
       return -1
 
     for project in all_projects:
diff --git a/subcmds/sync.py b/subcmds/sync.py
index e9d52b7..5e7385d 100644
--- a/subcmds/sync.py
+++ b/subcmds/sync.py
@@ -219,9 +219,25 @@
                  dest='repo_upgraded', action='store_true',
                  help=SUPPRESS_HELP)
 
-  def _FetchHelper(self, opt, project, lock, fetched, pm, sem, err_event):
+  def _FetchProjectList(self, opt, projects, *args):
     """Main function of the fetch threads when jobs are > 1.
 
+    Delegates most of the work to _FetchHelper.
+
+    Args:
+      opt: Program options returned from optparse.  See _Options().
+      projects: Projects to fetch.
+      *args: Remaining arguments to pass to _FetchHelper. See the
+          _FetchHelper docstring for details.
+    """
+    for project in projects:
+      success = self._FetchHelper(opt, project, *args)
+      if not success and not opt.force_broken:
+        break
+
+  def _FetchHelper(self, opt, project, lock, fetched, pm, sem, err_event):
+    """Fetch git objects for a single project.
+
     Args:
       opt: Program options returned from optparse.  See _Options().
       project: Project object for the project to fetch.
@@ -235,6 +251,9 @@
           can be started up.
       err_event: We'll set this event in the case of an error (after printing
           out info about the error).
+
+    Returns:
+      Whether the fetch was successful.
     """
     # We'll set to true once we've locked the lock.
     did_lock = False
@@ -253,7 +272,7 @@
           quiet=opt.quiet,
           current_branch_only=opt.current_branch_only,
           clone_bundle=not opt.no_clone_bundle,
-          no_tags=opt.no_tags)
+          no_tags=opt.no_tags, archive=self.manifest.IsArchive)
         self._fetch_times.Set(project, time.time() - start)
 
         # Lock around all the rest of the code, since printing, updating a set
@@ -281,6 +300,8 @@
         lock.release()
       sem.release()
 
+    return success
+
   def _Fetch(self, projects, opt):
     fetched = set()
     pm = Progress('Fetching projects', len(projects))
@@ -294,7 +315,8 @@
             quiet=opt.quiet,
             current_branch_only=opt.current_branch_only,
             clone_bundle=not opt.no_clone_bundle,
-            no_tags=opt.no_tags):
+            no_tags=opt.no_tags,
+            archive=self.manifest.IsArchive):
           fetched.add(project.gitdir)
         else:
           print('error: Cannot fetch %s' % project.name, file=sys.stderr)
@@ -303,20 +325,24 @@
           else:
             sys.exit(1)
     else:
+      objdir_project_map = dict()
+      for project in projects:
+        objdir_project_map.setdefault(project.objdir, []).append(project)
+
       threads = set()
       lock = _threading.Lock()
       sem = _threading.Semaphore(self.jobs)
       err_event = _threading.Event()
-      for project in projects:
+      for project_list in objdir_project_map.values():
         # Check for any errors before starting any new threads.
         # ...we'll let existing threads finish, though.
         if err_event.isSet():
           break
 
         sem.acquire()
-        t = _threading.Thread(target = self._FetchHelper,
+        t = _threading.Thread(target = self._FetchProjectList,
                               args = (opt,
-                                      project,
+                                      project_list,
                                       lock,
                                       fetched,
                                       pm,
@@ -338,10 +364,16 @@
     pm.end()
     self._fetch_times.Save()
 
-    self._GCProjects(projects)
+    if not self.manifest.IsArchive:
+      self._GCProjects(projects)
+
     return fetched
 
   def _GCProjects(self, projects):
+    gitdirs = {}
+    for project in projects:
+      gitdirs[project.gitdir] = project.bare_git
+
     has_dash_c = git_require((1, 7, 2))
     if multiprocessing and has_dash_c:
       cpu_count = multiprocessing.cpu_count()
@@ -350,8 +382,8 @@
     jobs = min(self.jobs, cpu_count)
 
     if jobs < 2:
-      for project in projects:
-        project.bare_git.gc('--auto')
+      for bare_git in gitdirs.values():
+        bare_git.gc('--auto')
       return
 
     config = {'pack.threads': cpu_count / jobs if cpu_count > jobs else 1}
@@ -360,10 +392,10 @@
     sem = _threading.Semaphore(jobs)
     err_event = _threading.Event()
 
-    def GC(project):
+    def GC(bare_git):
       try:
         try:
-          project.bare_git.gc('--auto', config=config)
+          bare_git.gc('--auto', config=config)
         except GitError:
           err_event.set()
         except:
@@ -372,11 +404,11 @@
       finally:
         sem.release()
 
-    for project in projects:
+    for bare_git in gitdirs.values():
       if err_event.isSet():
         break
       sem.acquire()
-      t = _threading.Thread(target=GC, args=(project,))
+      t = _threading.Thread(target=GC, args=(bare_git,))
       t.daemon = True
       threads.add(t)
       t.start()
@@ -416,12 +448,13 @@
         if path not in new_project_paths:
           # If the path has already been deleted, we don't need to do it
           if os.path.exists(self.manifest.topdir + '/' + path):
+            gitdir = os.path.join(self.manifest.topdir, path, '.git')
             project = Project(
                            manifest = self.manifest,
                            name = path,
                            remote = RemoteSpec('origin'),
-                           gitdir = os.path.join(self.manifest.topdir,
-                                                 path, '.git'),
+                           gitdir = gitdir,
+                           objdir = gitdir,
                            worktree = os.path.join(self.manifest.topdir, path),
                            relpath = path,
                            revisionExpr = 'HEAD',
@@ -641,7 +674,7 @@
         previously_missing_set = missing_set
         fetched.update(self._Fetch(missing, opt))
 
-    if self.manifest.IsMirror:
+    if self.manifest.IsMirror or self.manifest.IsArchive:
       # bail out now, we have no working tree
       return
 
@@ -761,7 +794,7 @@
   def _Load(self):
     if self._times is None:
       try:
-        f = open(self._path)
+        f = open(self._path, 'rb')
       except IOError:
         self._times = {}
         return self._times
diff --git a/subcmds/upload.py b/subcmds/upload.py
index 7f7585a..526dcd5 100644
--- a/subcmds/upload.py
+++ b/subcmds/upload.py
@@ -422,7 +422,16 @@
     for project in project_list:
       if opt.current_branch:
         cbr = project.CurrentBranch
-        avail = [project.GetUploadableBranch(cbr)] if cbr else None
+        up_branch = project.GetUploadableBranch(cbr)
+        if up_branch:
+          avail = [up_branch]
+        else:
+          avail = None
+          print('ERROR: Current branch (%s) not uploadable. '
+                'You may be able to type '
+                '"git branch --set-upstream-to m/master" to fix '
+                'your branch.' % str(cbr),
+                file=sys.stderr)
       else:
         avail = project.GetUploadableBranches(branch)
       if avail:
@@ -432,8 +441,10 @@
       hook = RepoHook('pre-upload', self.manifest.repo_hooks_project,
                       self.manifest.topdir, abort_if_user_denies=True)
       pending_proj_names = [project.name for (project, avail) in pending]
+      pending_worktrees = [project.worktree for (project, avail) in pending]
       try:
-        hook.Run(opt.allow_all_hooks, project_list=pending_proj_names)
+        hook.Run(opt.allow_all_hooks, project_list=pending_proj_names,
+                 worktree_list=pending_worktrees)
       except HookError as e:
         print("ERROR: %s" % str(e), file=sys.stderr)
         return