Git - Working Tree

The working tree in Git includes all project files outside the .git folder and represents the current state of your project where changes are made and tracked.

• Contains all files and folders except .git, representing your current project state.
• Tracks changes (modified, added, deleted) and can be viewed using git status.
• Serves as a link between local changes and the staging area.
• Remote repositories do not include a working tree.

Working Tree and git status

Remote repositories (like Github) do not have a working tree. However, in a local repository, we can analyze the working tree using:

git status

This command helps us understand the current state of files in the working directory.

Example: Understanding Working Tree

1. Initialize Repository

Create an empty directory and Initialize Git:

git init

The .git folder is created (not part of the working tree)

2. Add a new file

Create a file named demo.txt and then run:

git status

3. Add to Staging Area

Stage the file:

git add demo.txt

Check status again:

git status

4. Commit the File

Commit Changes:

git commit -m "Created demo.txt"

Check status again:

git status

5. Modify the File

Edit demo.txt and run:

git status

6. Stage and Commit Changes

git add demo.txt 
git commit -m "Update demo.txt"

7. Delete the file

Delete demo.txt and run:

git status

8. Stage and Commit Deletion

git add demo.txt
git commit -m "Deleted demo.txt"