How Do I Commit Case-Sensitive Only Filename Changes in Git?

Better Stack Team
Updated on June 24, 2024

To commit only case-sensitive filename changes in Git, you need to perform the following steps:

  1. Rename the File with a Temporary Name: Start by renaming the file to a temporary name, ensuring it differs only in case. For example, if you have a file named MyFile.txt, you can rename it to tempfile.txt.

     
    git mv MyFile.txt tempfile.txt

  2. Commit the Renamed File:

     
    git commit -m "Rename MyFile.txt to tempfile.txt"

  3. Rename the File Back to Its Original Name: After committing the rename, rename the file back to its original name with the correct case.

     
    git mv tempfile.txt MyFile.txt

  4. Commit the Final Change:

     
    git commit -m "Rename tempfile.txt back to MyFile.txt with correct case"

Note:

  • Git's default behavior on case-insensitive filesystems (like on Windows and macOS) may not recognize changes in file names that only differ in case. By following these steps, you explicitly tell Git about the change by renaming the file.
  • It's essential to commit the file rename in two separate steps to ensure that Git tracks the case-sensitive filename change correctly.
  • Be cautious when performing file renames, especially if the file is actively being used or referenced by other parts of the codebase.
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