Understanding the Contents of the .git Folder
Tags: git, github, beginners
Published: 2023-05-24 17:45:28

If you've ever used Git before, you're probably familiar with the `.git` folder. This folder contains all of the information that Git needs to track changes to your codebase, and it's an essential part of the Git workflow. In this guide, we'll take a deep dive into the contents of the `.git` folder and explore how it works.

## The `.git` Folder: An Overview

![Git Folder](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/bj9hjsyj4wyc765w4lc3.png)

Before we dive into the details, let's start with an overview of what's inside the `.git` folder. When you create a new Git repository, the `.git` folder is created in the root directory of your project. Inside this folder, you'll find a variety of files and folders that contain information about your codebase.

## The `HEAD` File: Keeping Track of Your Current Branch

![HEAD file](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/k5d1lr7ydn7528y5mj22.png)

The `HEAD` file is a simple text file that contains the SHA hash of the commit that's currently checked out in your repository. This file is used to keep track of your current branch, and it's updated automatically whenever you switch branches or checkout a specific commit.

## The `refs` Folder: Storing References to Commits and Branches

![refs folder](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/xm3nprvd3zh0hexryyz0.png)

The `refs` folder is where Git stores references to commits and branches in your repository. Inside this folder, you'll find a variety of subfolders that correspond to different types of references. For example, the `heads` subfolder contains references to the heads of branches in your repository, while the `tags` subfolder contains references to specific tags that you've created.

## The `objects` Folder: Storing Your Codebase as a Series of Snapshots

![objects folder](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/7d6tbrkwhxcylz21yscx.png)

The `objects` folder is where Git stores your codebase as a series of snapshots. Each snapshot represents the state of your codebase at a specific point in time, and Git uses these snapshots to track changes to your code over time. Inside the objects folder, you'll find two subfolders: pack and info. The pack subfolder contains compressed snapshots of your codebase, while the info subfolder contains metadata about those snapshots.

## The `config` File: Storing Configuration Information for Git

![config file](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/471q5vh3p2ylwrztlbx9.png)

The `config` file is where Git stores configuration information for your repository. This file contains a variety of settings that control how Git behaves, such as your name and email address, the default branch for new checkouts, and the behavior of Git's merge and diff tools.

## The `hooks` Folder: Running Scripts at Specific Points in the Git Workflow

![hooks folder](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/9l0tzp7z16dvwe4yjn2q.png)

The hooks folder is where you can add custom scripts that run at specific points in the Git workflow. For example, you can add a script that runs before each commit to ensure that your code meets certain quality standards, or a script that runs after each checkout to set up your development environment.

## Overview

Content | Description
 -- | --
`HEAD` File | Keeping Track of Your Current Branch
`refs` Folder | Storing References to Commits and Branches
`objects` Folder | Storing Your Codebase as a Series of Snapshots
`config` File | Storing Configuration Information for Git
`hooks` Folder | Running Scripts at Specific Points in the Git Workflow

## Conclusion

Now that you understand the contents of the `.git` folder, you're well on your way to becoming a Git expert. By understanding how Git stores and tracks changes to your codebase, you'll be able to use this powerful tool more effectively and efficiently.

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