git-mv(1) Git Manual git-mv(1)
NAME
git-mv - Move or rename a file, a directory, or a symlink
SYNOPSIS
git mv [-v] [-f] [-n] [-k] <source> <destination>
git mv [-v] [-f] [-n] [-k] <source>... <destination-directory>
DESCRIPTION
Move or rename a file, directory, or symlink.
In the first form, it renames <source>, which must exist and be either
a file, symlink or directory, to <destination>. In the second form,
<destination-directory> has to be an existing directory; the given
sources will be moved into this directory.
The index is updated after successful completion, but the change must
still be committed.
OPTIONS
-f, --force
Force renaming or moving of a file even if the <destination>
exists.
-k
Skip move or rename actions which would lead to an error condition.
An error happens when a source is neither existing nor controlled
by Git, or when it would overwrite an existing file unless -f is
given.
-n, --dry-run
Do nothing; only show what would happen
-v, --verbose
Report the names of files as they are moved.
SUBMODULES
Moving a submodule using a gitfile (which means they were cloned with a
Git version 1.7.8 or newer) will update the gitfile and core.worktree
setting to make the submodule work in the new location. It also will
attempt to update the submodule.<name>.path setting in the
gitmodules(5) file and stage that file (unless -n is used).
BUGS
Each time a superproject update moves a populated submodule (e.g. when
switching between commits before and after the move) a stale submodule
checkout will remain in the old location and an empty directory will
appear in the new location. To populate the submodule again in the new
location the user will have to run "git submodule update" afterwards.
Removing the old directory is only safe when it uses a gitfile, as
otherwise the history of the submodule will be deleted too. Both steps
will be obsolete when recursive submodule update has been implemented.
GIT
Part of the git(1) suite
Git 2.50.0 2025-06-15 git-mv(1)
git 2.50.0 - Generated Mon Jun 23 13:00:41 CDT 2025