Git: How to push dist directory to a separate branch of the same repository

Question

I have a project in existing repository, the folder structure :

myproject (master)
+-- app/ (master)
+-- dist/ (in .gitignore, but i need it as other branch)
+-- node_modules (.gitignore)
+-- index.html (master)
+-- gulpfile.babel.js (master)
+-- package.json (master)

Is there a way to push dist to a separate branch of the same repository?
To clarify, I want only dist files in the deploy branch, and keep the another files in the master.

Answer 1

Is there a way to push dist to a separate branch of the same repository?

There is, using git submodule.

• create an orphan branch 'deploy'
• copy your dist folder content in the empty repo, add and commit, and push.
• add that branch as a dist folder submodule.

That is:

git checkout --orphan deploy
# copy your folder content
git add .
git commit -m "deploybranch folder content"
git push -u origin deploy

Then

git checkout master
git submodule add -b deploy -- /remote/url/of/your/own/repo dist
git commit -m "Add deploy branch as submodule"
git push

In your master branch, you will keep a reference to deploy through the dist root folder submodule.

That being said, keep in mind what is generated and deployed is usually not stored in a source control file system, but in a binary referential like Nexus or Artifactory: make sure you don't keep huge binaries in there.