check-attr Git Command Guide
The git check-attr command is used to display gitattributes information, showing whether each attribute is unspecified, set, or unset as a gitattribute on specified pathnames. It helps understand how different files are handled by Git based on .gitattributes rules.
git check-attr Syntax:
Section titled “git check-attr Syntax:”git check-attr [--source <tree-ish>] [-a | --all | <attr>...] [--] <pathname>...git check-attr --stdin [-z] [--source <tree-ish>] [-a | --all | <attr>...]Options:
Section titled “Options:”| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| -a, —all | List all attributes that are associated with the specified paths |
| —cached | Consider .gitattributes in the index only, ignoring the working tree |
| —stdin | Read pathnames from the standard input, one per line, instead of from the command line |
| -z | The output format is modified to be machine-parsable |
| —source= | Check attributes against the specified tree-ish |
Parameters:
Section titled “Parameters:”| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Attribute name(s) to check | |
| File path(s) to check attributes for |
git check-attr Command Samples:
Section titled “git check-attr Command Samples:”Check a single attribute for a file
Section titled “Check a single attribute for a file”git check-attr diff org/example/MyClass.javaShows if the ‘diff’ attribute is set for the given Java file.
Check multiple attributes for a file
Section titled “Check multiple attributes for a file”git check-attr crlf diff myAttr -- org/example/MyClass.javaDisplays the setting for crlf, diff, and myAttr attributes on the specified path.
List all attributes for a file
Section titled “List all attributes for a file”git check-attr --all -- org/example/MyClass.javaShows all attributes associated with the path, excluding unspecified ones.
Check an attribute across multiple files
Section titled “Check an attribute across multiple files”git check-attr myAttr -- file1.txt file2.mdReports myAttr setting for each of the listed files.
Use stdin for pathnames
Section titled “Use stdin for pathnames”echo "README.md" | git check-attr --stdin diffReads pathnames from standard input instead of command line arguments.
Check against a specific commit
Section titled “Check against a specific commit”git check-attr --source HEAD~1 diff script.pyChecks attributes as they were in the previous commit.
How do I check if a file has a specific gitattribute set?
Section titled “How do I check if a file has a specific gitattribute set?”To check if a file has a specific gitattribute set, use:
git check-attr <attribute> <path>How can I list all attributes for a file?
Section titled “How can I list all attributes for a file?”To list all attributes for a file, run:
git check-attr --all <path>How do I check gitattributes for multiple files at once?
Section titled “How do I check gitattributes for multiple files at once?”To check gitattributes for multiple files at once, execute:
git check-attr <attr>... -- <path1> <path2>...How can I use stdin to check attributes?
Section titled “How can I use stdin to check attributes?”To use stdin to check attributes, use:
echo "<path>" | git check-attr --stdin <attr>How do I check attributes for a specific commit?
Section titled “How do I check attributes for a specific commit?”To check attributes for a specific commit, run:
git check-attr --source <commit> <attr> <path>How can I get machine-readable output?
Section titled “How can I get machine-readable output?”To get machine-readable output, use:
git check-attr -z <attr> <path>Applications of the git check-attr command
Section titled “Applications of the git check-attr command”- Debugging .gitattributes configurations to ensure proper file handling
- Verifying that files have expected attributes for diff, merge, or filter behaviors
- Checking attribute settings across multiple files during repository maintenance
- Troubleshooting inconsistent file behavior due to attribute inheritance
- Automating checks in CI/CD pipelines for correct attribute configurations
- Analyzing historical attribute settings for forensic repository analysis
- Validating attribute rules before committing changes to .gitattributes