How do I change the default location for Git Bash on Windows?

Question

I am using Git on Windows 7 and access my repositories through Git Bash. How can I change the default location that Git Bash opens in a convenient folder when I start it?

Answer 1

If you're like me, and the way you get to Git is windows key + G + I + Enter, then you can simply hit the windows key, search for Git, right click on the resulting Git Bash icon, select properties, and change the Start in: field.

I'm not exactly sure what this does, because I'm not exactly sure what Git on Windows is (a facade on top of sh which itself is a facade on cmd?), but in any case, you can now pin the shortcut that Windows pulls up on a search for "Git" to your taskbar, or to your desktop, and it will still start in whatever directory you set it to.

Answer 2

I am using Git bash on Windows 10, here is my solution:

1. Close all git bash sessions
2. Hit windows key and type: env; then click Edit environment variables for your account (control panel)
3. Under "User variables for ...."; hit New button
4. Variable Name: HOME
5. Variable value: path where you would like ~/ to be in git bash

Open a git bash session and test it by typing: pwd and double check by doing cd ~/ && pwd

Answer 3

I tried the following; it helped me. I hope it help you also.

cd /c/xampp/your-project

Answer 4

Add this line to your .bashrc file:

cd C:/xampp/htdocs/<name of your project>;

If the .bashrc file doesn't exist, create one in your root folder. For me it is: C:\Users\tapas\

Save .bashrc and open Git Bash. That's it!

Answer 5

Make a Git Bash shortcut to Desktop for convenience then right click on the icon goto properties. Here you will find the Start in: section with a text box. Replace the path you want, for example like:

%USERPROFILE%\Desktop

Then open it directly by clicking on the icon. You will get the default Desktop path in Git Bash.

Answer 6

I liked Peter Mortenson's answer, but I would like to expand.

'cd ~' in the .bashrc file causes the "Git Bash Here" feature of Git Bash to stop working. Instead, add this if statement to the .bashrc file:

if [ "$PWD" == '/' ]
then
        cd ~
fi

This will change to the home directory when Git Bash is run on its own, but when "Git Bash Here" is run, the current working directory will not be changed.