How to convert a normal Git repository to a bare one?

Question

How can I convert a \'normal\' Git repository to a bare one?

The main difference seems to be:

• in the normal Git repository, you have a .git

Answer 1

Here is a little BASH function you can add to your .bashrc or .profile on a UNIX based system. Once added and the shell is either restarted or the file is reloaded via a call to source ~/.profile or source ~/.bashrc.

function gitToBare() {
  if [ -d ".git" ]; then
    DIR="`pwd`"
    mv .git ..
    rm -fr *
    mv ../.git .
    mv .git/* .
    rmdir .git

    git config --bool core.bare true
    cd ..
    mv "${DIR}" "${DIR}.git"

    printf "[\x1b[32mSUCCESS\x1b[0m] Git repository converted to "
    printf "bare and renamed to\n  ${DIR}.git\n"
    cd "${DIR}.git"
  else
    printf "[\x1b[31mFAILURE\x1b[0m] Cannot find a .git directory\n"
  fi
}

Once called within a directory containing a .git directory, it will make the appropriate changes to convert the repository. If there is no .git directory present when called, a FAILURE message will appear and no file system changes will happen.