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en/tutorials/git/3git-init

# Creating a Repository

To start tracking a project with Git, you need to create a repository. This is a one-time setup per project.

## Initializing a Repository

Navigate to your project folder and run:

```bash
git init
# Initialized empty Git repository in /path/to/project/.git/
```

## What Happens Inside .git/

Git creates a `.git/` directory with everything it needs:

```bash
ls -la .git/
# HEAD
# config
# description
# hooks/
# info/
# objects/
# refs/
```

This folder contains your entire history once you start committing.

## Working Directory vs Repository

- **Working directory**: Your project files (the ones you see and edit)
- **Repository**: The `.git/` folder where Git stores all tracking data

## Alternative: git clone

Instead of starting fresh, you can copy an existing repository:

```bash
git clone https://github.com/user/project.git
```

This creates a full copy with all history and files.

## Best Practices

- Initialize Git at the start of a project
- Keep your `.git/` folder safe (don't delete it)
- Use `git clone` for existing projects
- Add a `.gitignore` file early to exclude files

## Common Mistakes

- Running `git init` multiple times in the same project
- Deleting the `.git/` folder (destroys all history)
- Forgetting to initialize before making commits
- Not adding a `.gitignore` for sensitive files

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