init

The git init command is used to create a new Git repository. It can be used to convert an existing project into a Git repository or initialize a new, empty repository. When you run git init, it creates a new subdirectory named .git that contains all of the necessary repository files, including the metadata and object database for the repository. This command is the first step in creating a new repository.

Detailed Explanation

Creates a .git directory: This directory contains all the configuration files and directories that make up the repository.
Initializes a new repository: This can be done in an existing directory or a new directory.
Sets up default branch: By default, the initial branch is named master (or main in newer versions of Git).

Example 1: Initialize a New Repository in an Existing Directory

# Navigate to your project directory
cd /path/to/your/project

# Initialize a new Git repository
git init

Example 2: Initialize a New Repository and Create a New Directory

# Create a new directory for your project
mkdir new-project

# Navigate to the new directory
cd new-project

# Initialize a new Git repository
git init

Last modified: 29 November 2024