Why am I getting "Commit failed with error: pathspec ... did not match any file(s)"?

Question

I am having some issues with Git.

I have a repository where I can commit any file to without problem. However, there is a single file 'Funder.php' which, when I try committing, tells me there is an error as:

Commit failed with error:
pathspec 'application/libraries/Funder.php' did not match any file(s) known to git.

I am quite new to this, so was wondering if anybody could please help?

Answer 1

The reason why this error happens is pointed in this post: https://stackoverflow.com/a/29485441/2769415

Windows’ file system is mostly case-insensitive, so you cannot rename a file by just changing its capitalization. Instead, you will have to use a temporary name in between.

Solution: Rename the file back to the original one, then rename it to a different name, then back to the one with the correct capitalization. Git will not throw the bug anymore.

Example:

Created FOOBar class.
Renamed it to FooBar and then got the error.
Rename it back to FOOBar.
Rename to FooBarTest.
Rename to FooBar.
Git works now.

Answer 2

This is the error you get when you attempt to run

git commit <file>

but <file> hasn't been staged yet; in other words, Git hasn't been told about it, yet. This is most likely what's happening here. Run

git add application/libraries/Funder.php

then try to commit.

Answer 3

I had the same problem in Android Studio after renaming some activities. I tried adding (git add) and moving (git mv) the files but never helped and I was getting the same message again and again.

Finally I decided to backup the classes in the package that had the problematic file in a separate folder in my HDD, then I removed the files from the original folder and in the terminal I did:

rm app/src/main/java/com/path/to/package/with/problematic/files/

Then recreated the deleted package via Android Studio and copied and pasted my classes back there. After that I was able to commit without any issues.

Answer 4

Here's a concise answer on the quickest way to resolve this issue. Similar to @cmbind55 post but to the point.

Problem: I have added a file that I later renamed.

Solution:

1. Un-add the old file name

git reset HEAD oldFileName.file

2. Now, add the new file name

git add newFileName.file

3. Commit and be happy