How to use the command 'git setup' (with examples)

The git setup command is a utility from the git-extras collection that simplifies the process of initializing a Git repository and committing all files within a directory. This command streamlines the setup of a version-controlled environment, making it particularly useful for developers looking to quickly start tracking changes to their projects with Git.

Use case 1: Create a Git repository in the current directory and commit all files

Code:

git setup

Motivation:

Imagine you’re working on a new project which hasn’t been versioned controlled yet. You have been developing this project directly on your local machine and now realize that you need to start using Git to track changes and maintain a history of your development process. You want to quickly set up a Git repository in the current working directory where all your project files reside. This is where the git setup command becomes beneficial because it eliminates the need for multiple commands to create a repository and commit files.

Explanation:

• git setup: This command is an all-in-one step inherited from git-extras which helps you initialize a new Git repository in your current directory. The command doesn’t require any additional arguments when setting up in the current directory. It automatically stages all the files present in the directory and creates an initial commit with the message “Initial commit.” It combines the functionalities of git init, git add ., and git commit -m "Initial commit" into one simple command.

Example Output:

On executing the command, the console output would show the initialization of the repository and a confirmation of the initial commit; something akin to:

Initialized empty Git repository in /path/to/current/directory/.git/
[master (root-commit) 1a2b3c4] Initial commit
10 files changed, 100 insertions(+)
create mode 100644 file1.txt
create mode 100644 file2.txt
...

Use case 2: Create a Git repository in a specific directory and commit all files

Code:

git setup path/to/directory

Motivation:

Consider a scenario where you’re working on multiple projects, each stored in different directories within your system. You’ve realized the need to version control one specific project. You are in a different directory or want to set up Git for a project that is not in your current working directory. The git setup command allows you to specify the directory in which you want to create a Git repository and commit all files within it. This functionality is extremely helpful for maintaining organized projects without having to navigate into the specific directory before executing Git commands.

Explanation:

• git setup path/to/directory: In this use case, the path/to/directory argument specifies the target directory where you want to initialize the Git repository. This path can be an absolute or relative path to the target directory. The command follows the same procedure as the initial example by initializing a repository within the specified directory, staging all files, and making the initial commit with the default message “Initial commit.”

Example Output:

Executing the command with the specified path will produce an output similar to initiating a repository with the first use case, indicating a successful repository initiation and commit:

Initialized empty Git repository in /path/to/directory/.git/
[master (root-commit) 5d6f7g8h] Initial commit
15 files changed, 150 insertions(+)
create mode 100644 project-file1.js
create mode 100644 project-file2.html
...

Conclusion:

The git setup command from git-extras is a simplified and efficient way to initialize a Git repository while simultaneously committing all present files in either the current working directory or in a specified directory. This command saves developers time and avoids potential errors by bundling standard Git commands into one. Whether you are starting a fresh project or incorporating Git into an existing one, the git setup command provides a seamless transition into version control.