How to start a Git repository with git init and why it matters

Kickoff with Git: Why git init is the first small step that matters

If you’re dipping your toes into version control, you’ll likely hear a lot about Git. It’s the backbone of how most teams manage code, track changes, and collaborate without stepping on each other’s toes. The very first move you make in a brand-new project is a tiny command with huge implications: git init. It sounds simple, and it is—yet that simplicity sets up a foundation you’ll build on for days, weeks, and months of coding.

What git init actually does (in plain language)

Let me explain it in a way that sticks. When you run git init inside a folder, you’re telling Git, “Hey, start keeping a history here.” Git doesn’t suddenly rewrite your files or force you into a new structure. Instead, it creates a hidden storage area—the .git directory—within that folder. That .git folder is where Git lives: it holds all your project’s metadata, the snapshot history, and the object database Git uses to track every change.

Think of it like a journal and a safe combined. The journal records every edit you make, along with who made it and when. The safe stores the actual content of every version so you can go back, compare, or restore something from the past. That’s the power you unlock with a single command. And yes, while the files you’ve been working on stay where they are, Git quietly builds a memory of every revision so you can travel back in time if you need to.

Why this step matters in real-world projects

For students and early-career developers—especially folks cruising through programs like those at Revature—the habit of starting clean matters. A fresh git init means you’re building a traceable story from day one. If you’re collaborating later, your teammates will thank you for having a repository that’s already structured and ready to accept commits. It also helps you separate what’s a draft from what’s a milestone. The mental clarity you gain from a clean start can save hours of debugging later on.

Here’s the thing: you don’t need to know every Git feature at once. You only need to know that init puts you in the club. After that, you learn to add, commit, branch, and merge as your project grows. It’s almost like learning to ride a bike—balance comes with practice, and you gradually gain confidence with a few essential moves.

A quick, practical workflow after git init

If you’ve just initialized a repository, here’s a straightforward path you can follow. It’s the kind of flow you’ll see echoed in real-world teams, so getting comfortable with it now pays off later.

• Check your setup: ensure Git is installed on your machine. A quick git --version tells you everything you need to know.

• Create or move to your project folder: cd into the folder you want to version control.

• Run git init: this creates the hidden .git directory and marks the place as a new repository.

• See the current state: git status gives you a snapshot of what Git sees in your working directory.

• Stage your changes: you probably have new files or edits. Add them with git add or git add . to grab everything.

• Commit with a clear message: git commit -m "Initial commit" (or a message that describes what you’re starting). This is your first bookmark in the project’s history.

• Keep the rhythm: as you add features or fix bugs, repeat the cycle—stage, commit, describe what changed, and push when you’re ready to share.

What lives in that .git directory, anyway?

You don’t need to be a Git wizard to appreciate the concept. The .git directory is where the “story” lives. Inside you’ll find objects (blobs, trees, commits), refs (pointers to branches and tags), and metadata that helps Git reconstruct the project’s entire history. It’s not something you fiddle with directly most of the time, but understanding its existence helps you grasp why Git behaves the way it does—speedy, reliable, and forgiving when you make a mistake.

A tiny digression: branches, remotes, and early habits

Right after you’ve initialized a repository, you’ll likely hear about branches. They’re like parallel universes of your project where you can experiment without disturbing the main line of code. It’s common to create a branch for a specific feature, then merge it back into the main branch when you’re done. You don’t have to master branches on day one, but adding that concept to your mental toolkit early pays off.

Another aside that matters: remotes. When you connect your local repository to a remote service (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket), you gain a shared space where teammates can review code, comment on changes, and keep your work aligned. Clinnings, pushes, and pulls become part of the daily routine. It’s a natural progression after git init, and it’s the kind of practice that translates to real-world teamwork in any tech role.

Common missteps new coders stumble into (and how to avoid them)

• Initializing in the wrong place: If you accidentally run git init inside a subfolder of an existing project, you’ll end up with a separate, nested repository. This can create confusion about where changes are recorded. The fix is simple: navigate to the root of the project and run git init there.

• Forgetting to commit meaningful messages: A vague message like “update” isn’t helpful later on. A clear message describes what changed and why, so you can skim the history quickly when you’re revisiting the project.

• Skipping .gitignore: If you don’t tell Git what not to track, you’ll end up with a bloated history containing build artifacts, logs, or sensitive files. A well-crafted .gitignore file saves you from clutter and potential trouble.

• Ignoring the power of staging: Some newcomers skip the stage area and commit everything in one go. The staging step helps you curate what goes into a commit, making each commit purposeful and meaningful.

• Overlooking configuration: Setting your user.name and user.email in Git config is easy, and it personalizes your history. It can also prevent confusion in teams where many developers contribute to the same project.

A few practical tips to smooth the ride

• Do a quick config pass early: git config --global user.name "Your Name" and git config --global user.email "you@example.com" set the basics and attach your identity to every commit.

• Start with a clean ignore list: create a .gitignore that’s tailored to your environment. For many languages and frameworks, there are well-worn templates available from reputable sources.

• Make the first commit meaningful: the initial commit should often capture the project’s scaffolding—the folder structure, essential configuration files, and any baseline assets. Think of it as laying a solid foundation.

• Pair the habit with a remote: once you’re comfortable locally, link to a remote repo. The act of pushing code to a shared space builds collaboration muscles and helps you practice code review etiquette.

• Use visuals when you learn: many learners benefit from diagrams that map out the flow from working directory to staging area, to commits, to the remote. It’s not cheating—it’s memory aid.

Connecting it to broader software journeys

Git init isn’t just about a single command; it’s about starting a disciplined, trackable workflow. In the larger world of software development, a reliable version-control setup is a prerequisite for consistent progress. It’s the same principle behind team projects in bootcamps, internships, or early-career roles: you want a system that preserves ideas, supports experiments, and keeps everyone on the same page without trampling each other’s changes.

For students stepping into real-world projects, Git teaches a mental model you’ll rely on every day. You’ll learn to balance speed with caution, to value history as much as speed, and to appreciate how small, well-defined steps compound into a robust product. Those are the kinds of lessons that stick long after you’ve closed your laptop.

A simple recap in human terms

• git init is the door to version control. It creates a .git folder and signals to Git, “Here begins a project I want to track.”

• From there, you build a routine: check status, stage changes, commit with meaningful messages, and (when ready) push to a shared remote.

• Don’t fear mistakes—each misstep is a chance to learn the rhythm of a team that codes together.

• The habits you form here pay off later, in collaboration, reliability, and the confidence to experiment without wrecking your history.

If you’re exploring this topic in a practical setting—whether you’re in a structured program, a self-driven project, or a collaborative lab—think of git init as your first well-made tool in a toolbox you’ll keep expanding. It’s a quiet moment, but that still, straightforward command signals something important: you’re ready to begin, and you’re ready to grow with purpose.

A little invitation to try it out

If you have a project you’re curious about, open your terminal, create a new folder, and run through the steps I outlined. Notice how the moment you execute git init, you’re no longer just saving files; you’re setting up a living history. After you commit your first changes, you’ll likely feel that satisfying click—the sense that you’ve marked the start of a real, trackable journey.

And that’s the essence of starting with Git. It’s not about perfection at first glance; it’s about setting a reliable cadence, so you can focus on building, iterating, and learning as you go. In the end, that cadence—built one command at a time—will serve you well, whether you’re coding solo or joining a team to ship something meaningful.

If you’ve got questions about Git init or want to share a quick honest story about your first repository, I’m all ears. Let’s keep this conversation going and help each other get more comfortable with the language of version control. After all, every great project starts with a small, deliberate step.