VSCode Uses Specific .git Folder Even If No git Folder Present in Project Root

Git is a popular version control system that enables developers to manage and track changes in their source code. However, Git is not limited to managing code files alone. It can also be used to manage non-code files, such as dotfiles, which are files that begin with a dot (.) and are typically hidden in Unix-based systems. In this article, we will discuss how to use Git for managing dotfiles, specifically when using a specific Git folder even when no Git folder is present in the project root.

Background: Git-based Dotfiles Management

Traditionally, managing dotfiles in a Git repository involved the use of symlinks. Symlinks are files that act as shortcuts to other files or directories. However, this approach has some limitations. For instance, it can lead to complex repository structures, and it can be difficult to keep track of which symlinks belong to which files.

Using a Specific Git Folder for Dotfiles

An alternative approach to managing dotfiles in Git is to use a specific Git folder for them, even when no Git folder is present in the project root. This approach simplifies the repository structure and makes it easier to manage dotfiles alongside code files.

Creating a Bare Git Repository for Dotfiles

To create a bare Git repository for dotfiles, follow these steps:

Create a new directory for the Git repository:

mkdir .git

Navigate to the new directory:

. /.git

Initialize the Git repository:

git init --bare

Now, add the dotfiles you want to manage to the Git repository. To do this, you need to add each file to the Git index using the git add command:

Add the dotfile to the Git index:

. .

Commit the changes:

git commit -m "Initial commit of dotfile"

Repeat these steps for each dotfile you want to manage.

Configuring Git to Use the Specific Git Folder

To configure Git to use the specific Git folder for dotfiles, you need to modify the .gitconfig file:

Open the .gitconfig file in a text editor:

nano ~/.gitconfig

Add the following configuration:

[core]
       excludesfile = ~/.gitignore_global
[alias]
dotfiles = "!git -C <path/to/git/folder> status --porcelain --ignore-submodules --ignore-untracked-submodules"

Replace with the path to the Git folder you created earlier.

Save and close the .gitconfig file.

Using the Git Alias

Now, you can use the git dotfiles alias to check the status of your dotfiles:

git dotfiles

This command will show you the status of all dotfiles in the current directory that are being managed by Git.