git-init-db

git init-db [--quiet] [--bare] [--template=] [--separate-git-dir=]

--quiet
    Suppress output messages.

--bare
    Create a bare repository. Bare repositories do not have a working directory.

--template=
    Use the given template directory to populate the new repository. This allows customizing the initial repository configuration and files.

--separate-git-dir=
    Create the repository in , but place the working directory at the current directory.

The git-init-db command is a low-level helper command primarily used internally by Git itself. It directly creates the database structure for a Git repository. It's generally not invoked directly by users; instead, the higher-level command git init is used, which calls git-init-db as part of its initialization process. Using git-init-db requires an understanding of Git's internal data structures and is not recommended for general usage. Its purpose is to set up the necessary directories and initial files that make up a Git repository's object store and other critical metadata.
While it's rare to use it directly, it's crucial for understanding how Git manages repository data under the hood. Essentially, it crafts the fundamental building blocks before any commits or branches exist.

Direct use requires detailed knowledge of Git's internal storage format and directory structure. Incorrect usage can lead to a corrupted or non-functional Git repository. Prefer using git init.

Primarily utilized by scripting and tools built on top of Git. Provides fine-grained control over repository creation for specialized purposes.
Rarely used interactively by developers.

git init(1), git clone(1)