Enabling auto-completion in git bash on windows?

Question

I would like to be able to type

git checkout <start-of-branch-name>

...and then hit tab and have the branch name autocomplete for me. How can I enable this?

Answer 1

First of all, the problem could be as simple as not being in a git-controlled path. Check by issuing the git status command and see if you get an error.

If you are in a git path, try to source the /etc/bash_completion.d/git file and try the tab completion again. If this works, do the following:

1. Add the following to your ~/.bashrc file:

. /etc/bash_completion.d/git

2. Log out.

3. Open a new mintty session (you are using mintty, right? Tab completion might not work from "cmd" prompt or Powershell.)

4. Type git followed by a space, then hit the Tab key twice to test. You should get a list of the git subcommands.

Tab completion on the branch name should now work for you. Eg. git branch ma <TAB> should complete as git branch master .