Git aware mv

Git-Aware File Move

Initialize todos tool:

[
  {"content": "Validate parameters", "status": "in_progress", "active_form": "Validating parameters"},
  {"content": "Check git tracking status", "status": "pending", "active_form": "Checking git tracking status"},
  {"content": "Execute file move", "status": "pending", "active_form": "Executing file move"},
  {"content": "Report results", "status": "pending", "active_form": "Reporting results"}
]

This skill automatically moves files using git mv for tracked files or regular mv for untracked files.

Usage

Invoke this skill when you need to move or rename files in a git repository. The skill will:

1. Check if the source file is git-tracked
2. Use git mv if tracked (preserves history)
3. Use mv if not tracked (standard filesystem move)
4. Create destination directories if needed
5. Handle errors gracefully

Parameters

The script accepts the following arguments:

• source (required, positional): AbsPath to the source file or directory to move
• destination (required, positional): AbsPath to the destination
• --force (optional): Overwrite existing destination
• --dry-run (optional): Preview what would happen without executing
• --verbose / -v (optional): Show detailed information
• --json (optional): Output result as JSON for machine parsing

Update todos: mark "Validate parameters" as completed, mark "Check git tracking status" as in_progress.

When to Use

• Moving or renaming any file in a git repository
• Relocating files between directories
• Moving configuration files
• Organizing project structure
• Any file move where git history should be preserved

Implementation

Execute the entry point script with parameters:

python3 scripts/git-aware-mv.py <source> <destination> [--force] [--dry-run] [--verbose] [--json]

Script outputs JSON with --json flag for machine parsing. Fields: source, destination, git_tracked, command, success, error.

Update todos: mark "Check git tracking status" as completed, mark "Execute file move" as in_progress.

Examples

Basic Move

Move a tracked file (uses git mv automatically):

python3 scripts/git-aware-mv.py plugins/which-key.lua plugins-disabled/which-key.lua

Dry Run

Preview what would happen:

python3 scripts/git-aware-mv.py plugins/which-key.lua plugins-disabled/which-key.lua --dry-run

Verbose Output

Show detailed information:

python3 scripts/git-aware-mv.py plugins/which-key.lua plugins-disabled/which-key.lua --verbose

Force Overwrite

Overwrite existing destination:

python3 scripts/git-aware-mv.py plugins/which-key.lua plugins-disabled/which-key.lua --force

JSON Output

Machine-parseable result:

python3 scripts/git-aware-mv.py plugins/which-key.lua plugins-disabled/which-key.lua --json

Update todos: mark "Execute file move" as completed, mark "Report results" as in_progress.

Edge Cases

File in Staging Area

If the file has staged changes, git mv will move both the file and preserve the staged state.

Renamed but Not Committed

If a file was renamed via git mv but not yet committed, another git mv will work correctly.

Untracked File in Git Repo

Files that exist in a git repo but are not tracked (new files, gitignored files) will use regular mv.

Moving Outside Git Repository

If the destination is outside the git repository, git mv will fail and fall back to regular mv.

Destination Directory Doesn't Exist

The skill automatically creates the destination directory using mkdir -p.

Benefits Over Manual Execution

• Automatic git tracking detection
• Automatic git history preservation
• No manual command execution required
• Error handling and validation
• Dry-run mode for previewing
• Verbose mode for debugging
• Automatic directory creation
• Force overwrite option
• Clear error messages

Rationale

• Preserves git history for tracked files
• Enables git log --follow to trace file history across renames
• Avoids accidental history loss
• Reduces user error by automating the decision
• Provides safety features (dry-run, verbose, force)

Update todos: mark "Report results" as completed. Clear todos with todos([]).