The .git folder
- Git course
- Beginner
- Lesson 10/80
- 4 min
Learn what the .git folder stores in a repository.
Inside the .git folder
The .git folder is the brain of the repository; everything Git uses to keep history stays here. You mostly care about objects, refs and config. objects stores file contents, refs holds named pointers, and config keeps the repository settings.
ls .git
HEAD
config
description
hooks
info
objects
refsThe config file
The config file keeps settings that belong to this repository. For example, the name and e-mail shown in your records are written here. Even when objects and refs are empty, the config file is there from the start.
cat .git/config
[user]
name = Ayse
email = ayse@example.comPractice List the repository structure
Start a repository in the current folder in quiet mode. Then list the inside of the .git folder so the repository structure appears on screen.
Starter code
# 1) bu klasorunde depoyu sessizce baslat
# 2) .git klasorunun icini listeleSample solution
git init -q
ls .gitExpected output
HEAD config description hooks info objects refs
Questions and answers
Review the lesson questions together with their answers. To test yourself, solve the lesson interactively.
1 Which file inside the .git folder holds the repository settings?
- Inside the HEAD file
- The config file Correct answer
- A record in the objects folder
- A pointer in the refs folder
Explanation: Settings live in the config file; objects holds file contents, refs holds pointers, and HEAD points at the current spot.
2 Show the settings
cat .git/____cat .git/configExplanation: The repository settings live in the config file inside the .git folder.
3 .git parts
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
objects |
Stores file contents |
refs |
Holds named pointers |
config |
Holds repository settings |
HEAD |
Shows the current spot |