Git 2 reference · Basics

git init Command (Git)

Create a new Git repository in a directory, optionally naming the first branch, ready for the first commit.

Git 2

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Syntax

git init [-b BRANCH] [DIRECTORY]

Parameter	Description
`-b NAME`	Name of the initial branch (e.g. main).
`--bare`	A repository without a working tree (for servers/remotes).

A new repository

git init -q -b main shop
ls -A shop
git -C shop branch --show-current

Output

.git
main

Run this on your computer — see “Get Started” for setup.

A bare repository for use as a remote

git init -q --bare remote.git
ls remote.git | head -4

Output

HEAD
branches
config
description

Run this on your computer — see “Get Started” for setup.

git clone · Copy a repository with its full history and set up origin as the remote; --depth makes a shallow copy.
git config · Read and set Git settings per repository, per user (--global) or system-wide, such as your name, email and aliases.
Setting Up Git and Creating a Repository · tutorial