git add submodule into existing directory

Question

I have a git repository in the parent folder. Lets call this folder "root". Then there is a sub directory in the folder, lets call it "child". What I want to do is clone a remote repository as a submodule into "child":

git submodule add [email protected]:username/repopath child/
git submodule add [email protected]:username/repopath ./child/

Both the above give me the error:

child already exists in the index

I tried removing the directory from being tracked:

git rm --cached .\child\*
git submodule add [email protected]:username/repopath child/

Then i get this error:

'child' already exists and is not a valid git repo

Any help would be most appreciated

Thanks

VonC · Accepted Answer · 2017-02-10 05:51:37Z

6

First, try your submodule add command in a new clone, because your previous attempts might have left a partial state for submodule.

Second, try first

git rm -r --cached child

Then, add and commit.

Finally, try your git submodule command:

git submodule add -- [email protected]:username/repopath child

Add, and commit.

answered Feb 10, 2017 at 5:51

VonC

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3 Comments

Timo Over a year ago

For learners, git submodule add -- [email protected]:username/repopath child. --: after the two dashes, there are only folders and files, no options. git@githu... is a ssh address, not https.

VonC Over a year ago

@Timo For more on the double hyphen (or double dash): stackoverflow.com/a/1192194/6309

Son Nguyen Over a year ago

Huge thanks to @VonC for your answer and comment. Very useful

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