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[PATCH v2] setup: fail if .git is not a file or directory

From
Tian Yuchen <a3205153416@gmail.com>
Date
Feb 12, 2026, 17:24 UTC
Message-ID
<20260212172405.48614-1-a3205153416@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To
<20260211182122.35352-1-a3205153416@gmail.com>

Currently, `setup_git_directory_gently_1()` checks if `.git` is a regular file (handling submodules/worktrees) or a directory. If it is neither (e.g., a FIFO), the code hits a NEEDSWORK comment and simply ignores the entity, continuing the discovery process in the parent directory.

Failing instead of ignoring here makes it easier for the users to notice anomalies and take action, particularly if this non-file non-directory entity was created by mistake or by file system corruption.

Resolve the NEEDSWORK by using `lstat()` to check the entity's mode. To avoid performance penalties on the happy path, this check is only performed after `is_git_directory()` fails.

Signed-off-by: Tian Yuchen <a3205153416@gmail.com>
---
Change in v2:
- Moved the `lstat` check into an `else` block after `is_git_directory()`
to avoid any extra system call overhead on the normal happy path, as
suggested by Junio.
 setup.c | 18 +++++++++++++++---
 1 file changed, 15 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-)
diff --git a/setup.c b/setup.c
index 3a6a048620..95658f2547 100644
--- a/setup.c
+++ b/setup.c
@@ -1580,11 +1580,23 @@ static enum discovery_result setup_git_directory_gently_1(struct strbuf *dir,
 						NULL : &error_code);
 		if (!gitdirenv) {
 			if (die_on_error ||
-			    error_code == READ_GITFILE_ERR_NOT_A_FILE) {
-				/* NEEDSWORK: fail if .git is not file nor dir */
-				if (is_git_directory(dir->buf)) {
+				error_code == READ_GITFILE_ERR_NOT_A_FILE) {
+				if (is_git_directory(dir->buf)){
 					gitdirenv = DEFAULT_GIT_DIR_ENVIRONMENT;
 					gitdir_path = xstrdup(dir->buf);
+				} else {
+					/*
+					 * It is neither a gitfile nor a git directory.
+					 */
+					struct stat st;
+					if (!lstat(dir->buf, &st) &&
+						!S_ISREG(st.st_mode) &&
+						!S_ISDIR(st.st_mode)) {
+						if (die_on_error)
+							die(_("Invalid %s: not a regular file or directory"), dir->buf);
+						else
+							return GIT_DIR_INVALID_GITFILE;
+					}
 				}
 			} else if (error_code != READ_GITFILE_ERR_STAT_FAILED)
 				return GIT_DIR_INVALID_GITFILE;
-- 
2.43.0
Previous: Tian YuchenNext: Junio C Hamano
Message 4 of 35 in “[RFC] setup: fail if .git is not a file or directory”
  1. Tian YuchenFeb 11, 2026
  2. Junio C HamanoFeb 11, 2026
  3. Tian YuchenFeb 12, 2026
  4. setup: fail if .git is not a file or directoryTian Yuchen, Feb 12, 2026
  5. Junio C HamanoFeb 12, 2026
  6. Tian YuchenFeb 13, 2026
  7. setup: fail if .git is not a file or directoryTian Yuchen, Feb 14, 2026
  8. Junio C HamanoFeb 15, 2026
  9. Tian YuchenFeb 15, 2026
  10. Junio C HamanoFeb 16, 2026
  11. Tian YuchenFeb 16, 2026
  12. setup: allow cwd/.git to be a symlink to a directoryTian Yuchen, Feb 17, 2026
  13. Karthik NayakFeb 17, 2026
  14. Tian YuchenFeb 17, 2026
  15. Karthik NayakFeb 17, 2026
  16. Junio C HamanoFeb 17, 2026
  17. Junio C HamanoFeb 17, 2026
  18. Karthik NayakFeb 17, 2026
  19. Tian YuchenFeb 18, 2026
  20. Karthik NayakFeb 17, 2026
  21. 0/2 setup.c: v5 rerollTian Yuchen, Feb 18, 2026
  22. 1/2 setup: distingush ENOENT from other stat errorsTian Yuchen, Feb 18, 2026
  23. Karthik NayakFeb 18, 2026
  24. Tian YuchenFeb 18, 2026
  25. Junio C HamanoFeb 18, 2026
  26. Junio C HamanoFeb 18, 2026
  27. 2/2 setup: allow cwd/.git to be a symlink to a directoryTian Yuchen, Feb 18, 2026
  28. Karthik NayakFeb 18, 2026
  29. Tian YuchenFeb 18, 2026
  30. Junio C HamanoFeb 18, 2026
  31. Tian YuchenFeb 19, 2026
  32. Tian YuchenFeb 15, 2026
  33. brian m. carlsonFeb 12, 2026
  34. Junio C HamanoFeb 12, 2026
  35. brian m. carlsonFeb 12, 2026

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