Gitkeep offers a Python CLI for managing empty directories in Git

The GitHub project Gitkeep offers a Python CLI that creates “.gitkeep” files in specified directories to address Git’s inability to version-control empty directories. It can be installed with “pip3 install gitkeep2” and supports creating files at specific paths, including files with messages.

Because Git cannot manage empty directories, developers who want to keep directories for future use or processing requirements in a repository need an alternative. Gitkeep creates and deletes “.gitkeep” files by path or recursively, and can add an optional description, but it does not change Git’s management system itself.

The tool does not change what Git tracks; it turns into commands the practice of placing dummy files in directories to keep them in a repository. Gitkeep’s description starts from the premise that Git manages files and cannot add empty directories, and that placing a “.gitkeep” file is a known workaround. It is therefore not a new version-control system, but a utility that makes an existing workaround easier to apply and remove. The specific difference is that it breaks down operations typically performed manually or with shell commands into path specification, recursive processing, deletion of exceptions and the addition of optional messages. The Bash “find” command mentioned in the description creates files in empty directories, but Gitkeep lets users specify a particular path and offers options for recursive creation and deletion. By default, the file includes the creation date, project URL and a message, so it is designed not only to preserve a directory but also to convey the file’s purpose to those who manage it later. An option to create an empty file is also available, leaving users to decide whether to include a description. There are limits to its requirements. The description assumes Python is installed and says the tool can also be used by Windows users who cannot use Bash, but that does not mean a Python environment is unnecessary. The source does not describe adoption in physical AI development repositories or its effectiveness in specific settings, so it is not possible to assess its use that broadly. In practice, the created “.gitkeep” file remains in the repository, making how to manage its deletion or update when its purpose changes an operational consideration. The next points to check would be supported Python versions, testing and maintenance status, and actual usage, but these cannot be confirmed from the project description provided.

“--recursive” or “-r” creates files in subdirectories below the specified path. “--let-go” or “-l” deletes files at the specified path. Combining the two as “-lr” recursively deletes files below the specified path. The tool also offers “--empty” or “-e” to create an empty “.gitkeep” file. By default, it creates a file containing the creation date, project URL and a message. A message can be specified with “--message” or “-m”. The project uses Click and also lists development installation steps, including creating a virtualenv, installing Click and installing the project in editable mode.