---
type: howto
---

# Add a file to a repository

Adding files to a repository is a small, but key task. Bringing files in to a repository,
such as code, images, or documents, allows them to be tracked by Git, even though they
may have been created elsewhere.

You can add a file to a repository in your [terminal](#add-a-file-using-the-command-line), and
then push to GitLab. You can also use the [web interface](../user/project/repository/web_editor.md#upload-a-file),
which may be a simpler solution.

If you need to create a file first, for example a `README.md` text file, that can
also be done from the [terminal](command-line-commands.md#create-a-text-file-in-the-current-directory) or
[web interface](../user/project/repository/web_editor.md#create-a-file).

## Add a file using the command line

Open a [terminal/shell](command-line-commands.md), and change into the folder of your
GitLab project. This usually means running the following command until you get
to the desired destination:

```shell
cd <destination folder>
```

[Create a branch](create-branch.md) to add your file to, before it is added to the master
(main) branch of the project. It is not strictly necessary, but working directly in
the `master` branch is not recommended unless your project is very small, and you are
the only person working on it. You can [switch to an existing branch](start-using-git.md#work-on-an-existing-branch),
if you have one already.

Using your standard tool for copying files (for example, Finder in macOS, or File Explorer
in Windows), put the file into a directory within the GitLab project.

Check if your file is actually present in the directory (if you are in Windows,
use `dir` instead):

```shell
ls
```

You should see the name of the file in the list shown.

Check the status:

```shell
git status
```

Your file's name should appear in red, so `git` took notice of it! Now add it
to the repository:

```shell
git add <name of file>
```

Check the status again, your file's name should have turned green:

```shell
git status
```

Commit (save) your file to the repository:

```shell
git commit -m "DESCRIBE COMMIT IN A FEW WORDS"
```

Now you can push (send) your changes (in the branch `<branch-name>`) to GitLab
(the Git remote named 'origin'):

```shell
git push origin <branch-name>
```

Your image will be added to your branch in your repository in GitLab.

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