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edheltzel/untrack_files_already_added_to_git.md

Last active October 31, 2019 23:36
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Untrack files already added to git repo
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untrack_files_already_added_to_git.md

Step 1 - Commit all changes

Make sure all changes are commited including the .gitignore

Step 2 - Remove everything from the repo

To clear the repo, use: git rm -r --cached .

  • rm is the remove command
  • -r will allow recursive removal
  • --cached will remove files from the index. (Your file will still be there)
  • . indicates that all files will be untracked.
    • Untracking a specific file use: git rm --cached foo.txt

The rm command can be unforgiving. If you wish to try what it does beforehand, add the -n or --dry-run flag to test.

Step 3 - Re add everything

git add .

Step 4 - Commit

git commit -m '.gitignore fix'

source: http://www.codeblocq.com/2016/01/Untrack-files-already-added-to-git-repository-based-on-gitignore/

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