Creating a repository with git init - Practice Exercises

Challenge - 5 Problems

💻 Command Output

intermediate

What is the output of git init in a new directory?

You run git init inside an empty folder. What message does Git show?

Git

git init

A fatal: Not a git repository (or any of the parent directories): .git

B Initialized empty Git repository in /path/to/directory/.git/

C Error: Repository already exists

D Nothing to commit, working tree clean

💡 Hint

Think about what Git says when it creates a new repository folder.

When you run git init in a new folder, Git creates a hidden .git folder and confirms with the message 'Initialized empty Git repository in ...'.

🧠 Conceptual

intermediate

What does git init actually do?

Choose the correct description of what git init does when run in a folder.

A Creates a new hidden .git directory to track changes in the folder

B Merges the current folder with another Git repository

C Deletes all files in the folder and starts fresh

D Uploads the folder contents to a remote Git server

💡 Hint

Think about what Git needs to track changes locally.

git init sets up a new Git repository by creating a hidden .git folder that stores all version control data.

❓ Troubleshoot

advanced

Why does git init fail with 'Permission denied'?

You try to run git init in a folder but get this error:
fatal: could not create work tree dir 'folder': Permission denied
What is the most likely cause?

A The folder is already a Git repository

B Git is not installed on your system

C You do not have write permission for the folder

D You forgot to run <code>git clone</code> first

💡 Hint

Think about what 'Permission denied' means in file systems.

The error means your user account cannot write or create files in the folder. You need proper permissions to initialize a Git repo.

🔀 Workflow

advanced

What is the correct sequence to create and start tracking files with Git?

You want to start a new project folder and track files with Git. Which sequence of commands is correct?

A cd project; mkdir project; git init; git commit -m 'first commit'; git add .

B git init; mkdir project; cd project; git add .; git commit -m 'first commit'

C mkdir project; git init; git add .; cd project; git commit -m 'first commit'

D mkdir project; cd project; git init; git add .; git commit -m 'first commit'

💡 Hint

You must create and enter the folder before initializing Git there.

You first create and enter the folder, then run git init inside it, add files, and commit.

✅ Best Practice

expert

Which practice is best when initializing a Git repository for a new project?

You start a new project and run git init. What should you do next to avoid committing unwanted files?

A Create a .gitignore file listing files and folders to exclude before adding files

B Immediately commit all files without filtering

C Run <code>git clone</code> to copy files from a remote repo

D Delete all hidden files before committing

💡 Hint

Think about how to prevent temporary or sensitive files from being tracked.

Creating a .gitignore file early helps exclude files like logs, build outputs, or secrets from being added accidentally.