Add an Empty Directory to a Git Repository (original) (raw)

Last Updated : 20 Mar, 2026

Git does not track empty directories by default, as it only tracks files. To preserve project structure, placeholder files are used to include empty directories in the repository.

• Git tracks files, not empty directories.
• Empty directories are added using placeholder files like .gitkeep.
• Helps maintain consistent project structure across teams.

Methods to Add an Empty Directory

Strategies to add empty directories in Git repositories:

1. Using a placeholder file

To add an empty directory in Git, create a placeholder file inside the directory since Git only tracks files. This ensures the directory is included in version control.

**Steps:

**Step 1: Create a new directory

mkdir

**Step 2: Navigate to the directory and create a placeholder file (e.g., .gitkeep)

cd touch .gitkeep

**Step 3: Add the file to the staging area

git add .gitkeep

**Step 4: Commit the changes

git commit -m "Add empty directory using .gitkeep"

2. Using a .gitignore file

Another way to add an empty directory in Git is by using a .gitignore file. This file ignores all contents of the directory except itself, allowing Git to track the directory.

**Steps:

**Step 1: Create and navigate to the directory

mkdir cd

**Step 2: Create a .gitignore file

touch .gitignore

**Step 3: Add the following content to .gitignore

Ignore everything in this directory

Except this .gitignore file

!.gitignore

**Step 4: Add the file to the staging area

git add .gitignore

**Step 5: Commit the changes

git commit -m "Add empty directory using .gitignore"