Can deleted .git be restored?
GitGithubGit Problem Overview
This happened when working with git on Ruby on Rails. several commits and branches were done and created.
git version 1.7.3.4
I accidentally deleted the .git folder using
git -rf .git
but I have all the files and updates done on online git-hub repository. I want the .git folder restored. Questions ?
- Am I totally screwed up ? OR
- If theres a way to restore .git from my online git-hub repository, how can that be done ?
Git Solutions
Solution 1 - Git
The only way you can restore a deleted .git folder is by:
- Cloning it again from somewhere
- Checking your recycling bin or backup (if no remote repository exists)
Since your files are from the online github repository, then its simple. Just clone it again from the directory where you deleted the .git folder:
git init
git remote add origin <repo_address>
git pull origin master
where repo_address can be [email protected]:yourname/yourproject.git
Your local checkout will be back to normal.
If you have uncommitted changes in your working copy you would want to keep, instead of using git pull use git fetch and then git reset --soft your local branch to the remote branch it should be at. The soft reset will not change your working copy
Solution 2 - Git
You can clone your repository to another location and simply copy the cloned .git folder to the place of your deleted .git folder.
Solution 3 - Git
I think the best bet is to Clone the repo in a throwaway folder. And copy the .git folder from that to your desired folder location (The project folder in which you've deleted .git folder).
Solution 4 - Git
If you have uncommited changes in your repository you can do this.
git init
git remote add origin <YOUR_REPO_ADDRESS>
git fetch
git branch master origin/master
git reset HEAD -- .
git rebase --autostash
git branch master origin/master creates a local master branch to track remote master branch. That is required because your new repo won't have a local branch until you have made a first commit.
Rebase will put your uncommited staged on top of the code you have fetched. Autostash option will temporary stash you edits and then put them back after the rebase has completed.
Worried? Make a backup copy of your project.
Solution 5 - Git
if you compiled your work and it is in a jar format. Go to your .m2/repository/location and find that jar file. change the .jar to .zip. unzip the file and your git repository should be there.