How to normalize working tree line endings in Git?

Question

I have cloned a repository that had inconsistend line endings. I have added a .gitattributes that sets the text attribute for the files I want to normalize. Now

Answer 1

Alternative approach (differs only in command used)

Make sure you have no any pending changes in repository:

$ git status
$ git stash

Modify .gitattributes so CRLF interpretation will changed:

$ echo "*.txt  text" >>.gitattributes
$ git commit -m "Made .txt files a subject to CRLF normalization." -- .gitattributes

Remove data from index and refresh working directory:

$ git rm --cached -r .
$ git reset --hard

Review CRLF fixes that Git proposes:

$ git ls-files --eol
$ git status
$ git diff

Agree with Git decision:

$ git add -u
$ git commit -m "Normalized CRLF for .txt files"

Reload changes as if clean clone was done:

$ git rm --cached -r .
$ git reset --hard