How to rename git root folder?

In Git, the root folder itself is not directly managed by Git. Therefore, renaming the root folder is an operating system-level task rather than part of Git commands. Here are the steps to rename the root folder of your Git project:

1. Ensure all changes have been committed: Before performing any folder operations, it's best to ensure all changes have been committed to the version repository to avoid losing work in progress. You can use the following command to check for any uncommitted changes:

bash
 git status

If there are uncommitted changes, commit them first:

bash
 git add .
 git commit -m "Commit message"

2. Close all programs using the folder: This is important to ensure no programs or editors are using or locking the folder.

3. Rename the folder: Leave the Git command line and rename the folder at the operating system level. This can be done using the file explorer or via the command line. For example, on Windows, you can use:

bash
 ren old_folder_name new_folder_name

On Linux or Mac OS, you can use:

bash
 mv old_folder_name new_folder_name

4. Verify the Git repository status: After renaming, navigate to the new folder path and use git status to check the repository status, ensuring all configurations and links remain unaffected.

5. Update any related configurations: If there are any build scripts, CI/CD pipelines, or other configurations that depend on the folder path, remember to update these paths to reflect the new directory structure.

Example Scenario: Suppose you have a Git repository named OldProject that you need to rename to NewProject while ensuring it doesn't affect the Git repository's operation. First, ensure all changes have been committed:

bash
 cd OldProject
 git status
 git add .
 git commit -m "Prepare for renaming"

Then, exit the directory and rename the folder in the same parent directory:

bash
 cd ..
 mv OldProject NewProject

After that, enter the new project directory and check the Git status:

bash
 cd NewProject
 git status

Finally, update any related configuration files or documentation as needed to ensure everything points to the new project name. This completes the renaming of the Git root folder without affecting any internal data of the Git repository.