Git submodule

Frequently used commands for Git submodules.

• gitaarik's Gist
• Git docs

Add a submodule

TO add the reference to another git project as a submodule:

git submodule add <url> <path>
git submodule update --init --recursive

Alternatively, you can use GUI tools like or GitHub desktop. They download and initiate submodules automatically.

Add you will see the file .gitmodules with information about the submodule(s). For instance,

.gitmodules

[submodule "themes/DoIt"]
    path = themes/DoIt
    url = https://github.com/HEIGE-PCloud/DoIt.git

Track a specific branch in the submodule

With -b <branchname> option

git submodule add -b <branchname> <url> <path>

Or set-branch -b <branchname> if you already have added a submodule

git submodule set-branch -b <branchname> <path>

Update all Git submodules to the latest commit

From a stackOverflow post and Git docs

git submodule update --remote --merge

For automated updates by bots, see automatic dependency update.

Remove a submodule

From Git docs

# Remove submodule from config
git submodule deinit <path>
# Delete submodule tracking data
git rm <submodule path> && git commit
# Complete removal
rm -rf $GIT_DIR/modules/<name>/

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