init.md

Git - Getting Started

> mkdir test
> cd test
> git init

Initialized empty Git repository in test/.git/

At this point you may notice a new, hidden directory created in the current folder. Let's take a look.

> ls -F .git

HEAD
branches/
config
description
hooks/
info/
objects/
refs/

Hopefully by the end of this guide some of those files won't seem so cryptic, and you will know what they do.

Terminology

• The .git folder is referred to as the "repository" or "local repository"
• The directory above the .git folder, where you edit your actual files, is called the "working directory" or "workspace"
• Refer to Git Lifecycle diagram

Summary of commands

mkdir -p test; cd test;
git init; ls -F .git;

Warning

For the purposes of this guide we will be poking around in this folder from time to time. Given that we just created this repository, and we're not using it for anything real, it's completely safe. In fact, it's even encouraged - there's no better way to learn how Git works. :)

That said, in general it is highly recommended not to touch anything in this folder normally, as it may result in data loss or corruption.

Next

Let's start by learning about commits.