This is done because Git only tracks files, not directories: $ git ls-files Or, if there are more files than you feel like listing, you can always use the wildcard character: $ git rm lib/*.jsīe noted that by deleting all of the contents from the lib directory, Git will also remove the actual directory itself. For instance, you can just explicitly list all files to be deleted like below: $ git rm lib/db.js lib/api.js On the basis of your preferred method, there are some ways to do this. Removing Multiple Filesĭeleting multiple files from a repo is the same as the early use-case of removing a single file using git rm. Now the file should be deleted from the filesystem and from the index, you can verify it by re-executing the “git ls-tree” command in order to list files in the current index.Ĭongratulations, you successfully deleted a file from your Git repository. In order for the changes to be effective, you will have to commit your changes and push them to your remote repository. It means that the file was removed from the filesystem but it was not deleted from the index just yet. You should get a small confirmation message saying that the “rm” command was executed on this file.Īs you can see, by executing the “git rm” command, a “deleted” action was added to the changes to be committed. In order to delete the file “file1” from the Git repository and from the filesystem, we are going to execute the “git rm” command with the name of the file. In my current repository, I have three files named “file1”, “file2” and “file3” and I want to delete the “file1” file from my Git repository.īy using the “git ls-tree” command, I am able to see the files tracked on my current branch.
How To Add and Update Git Submodules | Definition of Submodule.How To Clear Git Cache | Learn Git Clear Cache in Different Ways.How to Remove Files from Git Commit | Git Remove File from Commit Stage.Note that by using the “ git rm” command, the file will also be deleted from the filesystem.Īlso, you will have to commit your changes, “git rm” does not remove the file from the Git index unless you commit it.Īs always, let’s have a quick example in order to illustrate the commands we just described. $ git commit -m "Deleted the file from the git repository" The easiest way to delete a file in your Git repository is to execute the “git rm” command and specify the file to be deleted. a text editor, IDE, or file browser.Īlso Check: How To Delete a GitHub Repository Delete Files using git rm But removing the file from the filesystem can be made in several other applications, e.g. If you wish then it could also delete files from the filesystem.ĭeleting a file from the actual Git repository is a separate task that is done easily by the git rm command. Not only it deletes but also remove files from the staging index and the working directory. Whenever you are planning to delete or remove a file or multiple files from a git repository, then this command ie., git rm is used. Let’s dive into it without any further do. Here, we have explained completely how you can easily delete files on Git, whether it is only from your Git repository or from the filesystem. To clear your confusion, we have come up with this new Git Tutorial on How to Delete File on Git. Always, delete files on git is so confusing as it is a big question mark to delete them from my repository or delete them from the filesystem?Īlso, Have a look at the Git Commands for gaining enough knowledge & practice on Git.
But developers should realize and work on deleting unused files on git. We all know how important to add many files into a git repository for developing the project.