Git mv fails with Fatal: source directory is empty

Question

I would like to maintain history of files within a sub-folder of a repo. But I need to rename the top level folder name. When I run 'git mv dirName newDirName I get 'Fatal: source directory is empty;'

My source directory has the following structure:

gitRepoDir
--.git
--Source 
--  -DirLevel2 
--   --DirLevel3 
--     --DirLevel4 
--       --DirLevel5 
+++       --DirNameToRename 
+++         --sub1dir 
+++           --File 
+++         --sub2dir 
+++           --File 
+++         --sub3dir 
+++           --File 
+++           --File 
+++         --sub4dir 
+++           --File

Is there a way to rename the top level folder and maintain history of the files in the below subfolders? Or do I need to create the directory structure first then move the files with the git mv command?

Answer 1

I think it, 'Fatal: source directory is empty;', means dirName is not under git control because it's not part of source. For example, you can try "git status", to figure out whatever can be controlled by git.

Answer 2

you should just tell git mv to skip any operation leading to failure condition

git mv -k dirName newDirName

Answer 3

Usually, the pathname used in git command is a relative path started from current directory.

So for your question, followings should be checked.

1) Whether dirName is a directory managed by git. you can use command git ls-files

2) Whether dirName folder is under current director.