How do I move an existing Git submodule within a Git repository?

Question

I would like to change the directory name of a Git submodule in my Git superproject.

Lets suppose I have the following entry in my .gitmodules file:

Answer 1

[Update: 2014-11-26] As Yar summarizes nicely below, before you do anything, make sure you know the URL of the submodule. If unknown, open .git/.gitmodules and examine the keysubmodule..url.

What worked for me was to remove the old submodule using git submodule deinit followed by git rm . Then add the submodule again with the new folder name and commit. Checking git status before committing shows the old submodule renamed to the new name and .gitmodule modified.

$ git submodule deinit foo
$ git rm foo
$ git submodule add https://bar.com/foo.git new-foo
$ git status
renamed:    foo -> new-foo
modified:   .gitmodules
$ git commit -am "rename foo submodule to new-foo"