moving-a-file-to-a-new-location.md

title	intro	redirect_from	versions	topics	shortTitle
Moving a file to a new location	You can move a file to a different directory on {% data variables.product.github %} or by using the command line.	/articles/moving-a-file-to-a-new-location /github/managing-files-in-a-repository/moving-a-file-to-a-new-location /articles/moving-a-file-to-a-new-location-using-the-command-line /github/managing-files-in-a-repository/moving-a-file-to-a-new-location-using-the-command-line /github/managing-files-in-a-repository/managing-files-on-github/moving-a-file-to-a-new-location /github/managing-files-in-a-repository/managing-files-using-the-command-line/moving-a-file-to-a-new-location-using-the-command-line	fpt ghes ghec * * *	Repositories	Move a file

In addition to changing the file location, you can also update the contents of your file, or give it a new name in the same commit.

Moving a file to a new location on {% data variables.product.github %}

Tip

• If you try to move a file in a repository that you don’t have access to, we'll fork the project to your personal account and help you send a pull request to the original repository after you commit your change.
• Some files, such as images, require that you move them from the command line. For more information, see AUTOTITLE.
• {% data reusables.repositories.protected-branches-block-web-edits-uploads %}

1. In your repository, browse to the file you want to move. {% data reusables.repositories.edit-file %}
2. In the filename field, change the name of the file using these guidelines:
   • To move the file into a subfolder, type the name of the folder you want, followed by /. Your new folder name becomes a new item in the navigation breadcrumbs.
   • To move the file into a directory above the file's current location, place your cursor at the beginning of the filename field, then either type ../ to jump up one full directory level, or type the backspace key to edit the parent folder's name. {% data reusables.files.write_commit_message %} {% data reusables.files.choose_commit_branch %} {% data reusables.files.propose_file_change %}

Moving a file to a new location using the command line

You can use the command line to move files within a repository by removing the file from the old location and then adding it in the new location.

Many files can be moved directly on {% data variables.product.github %}, but some files, such as images, require that you move them from the command line.

{% data reusables.command_line.manipulating_file_prereqs %}

1. On your computer, move the file to a new location within the directory that was created locally on your computer when you cloned the repository. {% data reusables.command_line.open_the_multi_os_terminal %}

2. Use git status to check the old and new file locations.

   $ git status
   > # On branch YOUR-BRANCH
   > # Changes not staged for commit:
   > #   (use "git add/rm <file>..." to update what will be committed)
   > #   (use "git checkout -- <file>..." to discard changes in working directory)
   > #
   > #     deleted:    /OLD-FOLDER/IMAGE.PNG
   > #
   > # Untracked files:
   > #   (use "git add <file>..." to include in what will be committed)
   > #
   > #     /NEW-FOLDER/IMAGE.PNG
   > #
   > # no changes added to commit (use "git add" and/or "git commit -a")

{% data reusables.git.stage_for_commit %} This will delete, or git rm, the file from the old location and add, or git add, the file to the new location.

$ git add .
# Adds the file to your local repository and stages it for commit.
# {% data reusables.git.unstage-codeblock %}

1. Use git status to check the changes staged for commit.

   $ git status
   > # On branch YOUR-BRANCH
   > # Changes to be committed:
   > #   (use "git reset HEAD <file>..." to unstage)
   > #
   > #    renamed:    /old-folder/image.png -> /new-folder/image.png
   # Displays the changes staged for commit

{% data reusables.git.commit-file %}

$ git commit -m "Move file to new directory"
# Commits the tracked changes and prepares them to be pushed to a remote repository.
# {% data reusables.git.reset-head-to-previous-commit-codeblock %}

{% data reusables.git.git-push %}