> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://yu-sun.gitbook.io/essential-git-for-scientists/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://yu-sun.gitbook.io/essential-git-for-scientists/basic-operations/create-a-repo.md).

# Create a Repo

In this section, we will create an empty local repo.

> From now on, it's assumed that you know the basic Linux commands in the Bash shell. If you're using a Mac or Linux you can open the terminal. If you're on Windows, you can download [Cmder](https://petermacvic-my.sharepoint.com/:u:/g/personal/yu_sun_petermac_org/EXYyFt1fTCRJsz6qK5_gmzsB92WZHTdpy2-iNCyOGi9DjQ?e=efDJVi) which bundles up the Linux commands.
>
> Examples will be simulating a Python project. Feel free to try your own content.

First, navigate to an empty folder. This is where you will put your code and work mostly. Here, I will be using a folder called `git-prj` under my D drive. Note that the prompt is λ and the command is whatever follows. For example, this is the input and output of `pwd`, which prints the working directory.

```
λ pwd
D:\Work\git-prj
```

If we do a list now, there won't be any files

```
λ ls -la
total 4
drwxr-xr-x 1 panflutes 197121 0 May  2 15:17 ./
drwxr-xr-x 1 panflutes 197121 0 May  2 15:17 ../
```

### Initialise

Now use `git init` to tell Git to make this folder a repo, meaning Git will start tracking this folder.

{% code overflow="wrap" fullWidth="false" %}

```
λ git init
Initialized empty Git repository in D:/Work/git-prj/.git/
```

{% endcode %}

If we list now, you will find the `.git` folder. This is where Git stores all the tracking information. On Linux, files started with a dot is hidden so include `-a` to show all files.

```
λ ls -la
total 8
drwxr-xr-x 1 panflutes 197121 0 May  2 15:21 ./
drwxr-xr-x 1 panflutes 197121 0 May  2 15:17 ../
drwxr-xr-x 1 panflutes 197121 0 May  2 15:21 .git/
```

You don't need to interact with `.git` directly. The Git commands will do all the work.