How to change git shell's start directory in windows 7

Question

I downloaded and installed the programs offered by GitHub including Git Shell.

The problem is that I want to set up the home directory of the Git Shell program to a custom one, but I don't know how to do that.

I tried changing the "start in" field from the properties menu of the Git Shell shortcut but it didn't work.

Can anybody please give me some information on how to change the home directory of the Git Shell to a custom one?

Taproot

GitHub for Windows can be configured to use a number of different shell programs, and I don't remember which is the default. Are you using PowerShell, cmd, or bash? – Applicant

I am using powershell. – Taproot

In case you are using cmd you can set on path in the syntax to set your start directory. – Arran

Answer 1

1.Open GitHub Windows client.

2.Click tools (at the top of the window) and select 'Options'.

3.There you will find 'default storage location'. This is where Git Shell starts when you run it.

Barrier

Maybe this doesn't work anymore? My (new) github version calls "default storage directory" above "Clone path" instead. The path I entered there only shows up as "Local Path" under the "+" sign in the GUI. The solution that worked for me is in my comment to @ssmith 's answer below. – Oomph

After updating github for windows yesterday (to Version 2.14.7) I have found that powershell no longer sets the home directory to "Clone path". The solution is much simper than described in the answers below; edit the shortcut and add the directory path after the --open-shell parameter, like this --open-shell=c:\whatever – Aer

Using GitHub Desktop 3.0.7.1, this seems to work again. – Bondie

Answer 2

1. Right click on Git Shell
2. Choose Properties
3. Move to the end of the Target field
4. Change --open-shell to --open-shell=c:\your_dir

Claro

This did it for me, also allowed me to configure lots of shortcuts for different Git shells – Dihybrid

Definitely the right answer, accepted answer doesn't work anymore. – Bokbokhara

Note that you can't use double quotes around your directory name. – Petition

@ErikSchierboom I know this is an old post, but since quotes can't be used, is there a solution/workaround for filepaths that contain spaces? (Beyond the obvious "change the path so it doesn't have spaces") – Kinard

@Kinard If so, I haven't been able to find one. Single quotes also don't work. – Petition

@Kinard I haven't tried it myself, but maybe short / "8.3" directory names would work? superuser.com/q/348079/6581 – Rind

Worked for me with the 8.3 "short" directory name (for setting a shortcut in Total Commander, use %p) – Sawtoothed

Answer 3

When I use @ssmith's answer it opens up in the right directory but does not have any of the features of posh-git. When I open it up normally it say s posh-git in the title, when I add this configuration it just says powershell...

I figured it out, use/create the file

C:\Users\yourUserName\Documents\WindowsPowerShell\Microsoft.PowerShell_profile.ps1

(the default profile) and then add the line mentioned above

Set-Location C:\Your\Start\Directory

Politician

This will set location for every Powershell window not only Github for Windows Powershell right? – Barrier

I can't confirm that for you, I've a different setup now, but I assume so. – Politician

Answer 4

According the article below (in the "Posh-Git and PowerShell" section) you should be able to create a Documents\WindowsPowerShell\GitHub.PowerShell_profile.ps1 file that will start when your GitHub PowerShell starts. In that file you can add the Set-Location c:\path\to\repo command.

For what it's worth, in case anyone comes across this but has a Bash shell, adding the command cd /path/to/repo to ~/.basrc should do the trick.

http://haacked.com/archive/2012/05/21/introducing-github-for-windows.aspx

Welfarism

When I name the file "GitHub.PowrShell_profile.ps1", I lose the posh-git exactly as @BunnyStrider mentions in his answer. – Fanchette

@DavidPeden I just figured out the next step. It's literally the next step in the article above. Add the lines in the "Custom Shell" section to your GitHub.PowerShell and it will load posh-git. It took me most of the day to figure all this out. RTFM, sure... but which one? – Oomph

Answer 5

Piotr Perak directions are accurate. however, for newer versions, you have to update the "Clone Path".

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1. Launch GitHub for windows.

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2. Click "Tools and Options" gear at top right > Options

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3. Change "Clone Path" to the directory you would like git to open at. Please see image below. Thank you.

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Perimeter

Answer 6

Other answers didn't work for me, and I am on Windows 10. So for those looking for another way I added a line to my ~/.bashrc: cd /c/myfoldername

Works like a charm

Mincemeat

Mmm, but what if then you execute cd ~ ? – Talamantes