How to Keep Empty Directories in Git: Mastering the .gitkeep Technique

Understanding Git’s Behavior with Empty Folders

Git, by default, doesn’t track empty directories. This can be frustrating when you want to maintain a specific folder structure in your repository. Fortunately, there’s a simple workaround using the .gitkeep file.

What is .gitkeep?

.gitkeep is not an official Git feature, but rather a widely adopted convention among developers. It’s a placeholder file used to ensure Git tracks otherwise empty directories.

Implementing .gitkeep in Your Project

To keep an empty directory in your Git repository:

Create the desired directory structure
Navigate to the empty folder you want to track
Create a .gitkeep file inside it
Add and commit the changes
Push to your remote repository

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

mkdir empty-folder
cd empty-folder
touch .gitkeep
git add .
git commit -m “Add empty folder with .gitkeep”
git push origin main

Benefits of Using .gitkeep

Maintains consistent directory structure across all environments
Ensures build processes or scripts relying on specific folders don’t break
Improves project organization and clarity for other developers

Alternatives to .gitkeep

While .gitkeep is popular, some developers prefer alternatives:

Using a README.md file to explain the folder’s purpose
Creating a .gitignore file within the empty directory
Modifying scripts to create necessary folders on-the-fly

Best Practices for .gitkeep Usage

Use .gitkeep sparingly, only for truly necessary empty directories
Consider adding a brief comment in the .gitkeep file explaining its purpose
Combine with .gitignore to exclude unwanted files while keeping the directory structure