def METHOD_NAME(self):
    """Performs a shallow clone of the repository into the downloads
    directory. This function can be called repeatedly. If the project has
    already been checked out at this version, it will be a no-op. Returns
    the path to the checked out directory."""
    try:
        dir_ = git.clone_and_checkout(
            self.git,
            get_downloads_path(),
            revision=self.revision,
            dirname=self._checkout_name,
            subdirectory=self.subdirectory,
        )
    except ExecutableError as exc:
        if exc.cmd and exc.cmd[0] == "git":
            fire_event(EnsureGitInstalled())
        raise
    return os.path.join(get_downloads_path(), dir_)