Use `git add -N` in magit

Question

Wondering if it's possible to indicate intent to add a file via magit.

The intention would be to stage parts of an untracked file for a commit but leave the rest, rather than the default git add behaviour of adding the entire file (which might have various wip bits).

Answer 1

C-us on an untracked file invokes the --intent-to-add behaviour. You can then stage parts of the file as usual.

(Note though that you cannot unstage parts of the file as usual; so be careful of what you're staging.)

Edit: I've just noticed that Magit's ediff¹ integration provides a great workaround for the inability to unstage selected parts in this scenario.

• Type e on the staged file
• Move to the .~index~ window, which contains the staged changes
• Edit the content directly (but don't try to save the buffer)
• Exit ediff with q from the control buffer
• Confirm to Magit that you wish to update the index
• Profit!

---

¹ I'll assume that you already know how to drive ediff. If not, then (a) I highly recommend taking some time to get familiar with it, because it's great; (b) ediff-window-setup-function is the variable to customize to prevent it opening a separate frame for the control buffer; (c) It has its own manual at C-h i g (ediff)