Is it possible to move/rename files in Git and maintain their history?

Question

I would like to rename/move a project subtree in Git moving it from

/project/xyz

to

/components/xyz

If I

Answer 1

I followed this multi-step process to move code to the parent directory and retained history.

Step 0: Created a branch 'history' from 'master' for safekeeping

Step 1: Used git-filter-repo tool to rewrite history. This command below moved folder 'FolderwithContentOfInterest' to one level up and modified the relevant commit history

git filter-repo --path-rename ParentFolder/FolderwithContentOfInterest/:FolderwithContentOfInterest/ --force

Step 2: By this time the GitHub repository lost its remote repository path. Added remote reference

git remote add origin git@github.com:MyCompany/MyRepo.git

Step 3: Pull information on repository

git pull

Step 4: Connect the local lost branch with the origin branch

git branch --set-upstream-to=origin/history history

Step 5: Address merge conflict for the folder structure if prompted

Step 6: Push!!

git push

Note: The modified history and moved folder appear to already be committed. enter code here

Done. Code moves to the parent / desired directory keeping history intact!