Workshop setup: SVN-to-Git mock repo

Instructions for the instructor to create the shared repository that participants will clone and push to during the workshop.

1. Create the repo on GitHub

Create a new repository (e.g. git-workshop). Do not initialize it with a README (we set it up manually below).

2. Populate it

mkdir git-workshop && cd git-workshop
git init
git branch -M main

# Starter file used in Exercise 1 (staging)
printf "Line 1\n" > notes.txt

# .gitignore (C / Magma projects)
cat > .gitignore << 'IGNORE'
*.o
*.so
*.a
*.dylib
build/
_build/
*~
*.swp
.*.swp
.DS_Store
IGNORE

git add notes.txt .gitignore
git commit -m "Initial commit"

# Second commit so git log shows some history
printf "# Git Workshop\n\nStarter repo for the SVN-to-Git workshop.\n" > README.md
git add README.md
git commit -m "Add README"

# Push
git remote add origin git@github.com:Magma-Maths/git-workshop.git
git push -u origin main

3. Grant push access

Everyone needs write access to the repo so they can push during Exercise 2.

• GitHub: Settings → Collaborators → Add people (by GitHub username or email).
• Alternative: Create a GitHub Organization, add a team with write access, and add all participants to the team.

4. Before the workshop

• Verify every participant can see the repo (have them open the URL in a browser).
• Have the clone URL ready to paste in chat or display on a slide. Use HTTPS unless everyone already has SSH keys configured:

  git@github.com:Magma-Maths/git-workshop.git
  

• Run through the preflight check slide yourself to confirm git version, user.name, and user.email are set.

5. After the workshop

The repo will contain each participant’s personal file from Exercise 2 and possibly messy merge history. You can archive or delete it.

To reuse the repo for another session, reset it:

git checkout main
git reset --hard <initial-commit-hash>
git push --force origin main