Regression: Bluesky Git Repository Always Shows Missing Files On Windows

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Introduction

As a developer, working with Git repositories can be a seamless experience, but sometimes, issues arise that can hinder productivity. In this article, we will delve into a regression issue affecting the Bluesky Git repository on Windows, where certain files are consistently shown as missing. We will explore the steps to reproduce the issue, the error messages, and potential solutions to resolve this problem.

Steps to Reproduce

To reproduce this issue, follow these steps:

  1. Clone the Bluesky Social App Repository: Clone the bluesky-social/social-app Git repository after March 5th, 2025, using the following command:

git clone https://github.com/bluesky-social/social-app.git

2. **Run `git status`**: Navigate to the cloned repository and run the following command to check the Git status:
   ```bash
git status
  1. Observe the Error Messages: The Git staging area will show certain files as deleted, and you won't be able to remove them.

Attachments

The Git status output will display the following error messages:

Changes not staged for commit:
  (use "git add/rm <file>..." to update what will be committed)
  (use "git restore <file>..." to discard changes in working directory)
        deleted:    __e2e__/flows/report-dialog/post:default.yml
        deleted:    __e2e__/flows/report-dialog/post:edit-reason.yml
        deleted:    __e2e__/flows/report-dialog/post:reason-other.yml

Error Messages

When trying to restore these files using the git restore command, you will encounter the following error:

error: unable to stat just-written file __e2e__/flows/report-dialog/post:default.yml: No such file or directory

This error occurs because commas are used for NTFS data streams, causing the git restore command to create an empty file with the incorrect name.

Git Status Output

After running the git restore command, the Git status output will change to:

Changes not staged for commit:
  (use "git add/rm <file>..." to update what will be committed)
  (use "git restore <file>..." to discard changes in working directory)
        deleted:    __e2e__/flows/report-dialog/post:default.yml
        deleted:    __e2e__/flows/report-dialog/post:edit-reason.yml
        deleted:    __e2e__/flows/report-dialog/post:reason-other.yml

Untracked files:
  (use "git add <file>..." to include in what will be committed)
        __e2e__/flows/report-dialog/post

Platform and Device Information

This issue occurs on the following platforms:

  • Web (Mobile)
  • Web (Desktop)

The device information is as follows:

  • Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
  • App Version: 1.101.0

Additional Information

The changeset #7913 created three files with colons in their names, which Git cannot process properly on Windows, resulting in this regression issue.

Potential Solutions

To resolve this issue, consider implementing a pre-commit hook to prevent such changes that break cross-platform development for Bluesky. This hook can be used to check for files with colons in their names and prevent them from being committed.

Conclusion

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the regression issue affecting the Bluesky Git repository on Windows, where certain files are consistently shown as missing. We also discussed potential solutions to resolve this problem. In this article, we will provide a Q&A section to address common questions and concerns related to this issue.

Q: What is the root cause of this regression issue?

A: The root cause of this regression issue is Git's inability to process files with colons in their names on Windows. This is due to the way Windows handles file names with colons, which can cause Git to incorrectly identify files as deleted or missing.

Q: Why are files with colons in their names causing issues?

A: Files with colons in their names are causing issues because Git is using the colon as a separator to identify the file name and the extension. However, on Windows, the colon is also used as a separator for NTFS data streams, which can cause Git to incorrectly identify the file name and extension.

Q: How can I prevent this issue from occurring in the future?

A: To prevent this issue from occurring in the future, you can implement a pre-commit hook to check for files with colons in their names and prevent them from being committed. This hook can be used to ensure that only valid file names are committed to the repository.

Q: What are some common file names that may cause this issue?

A: Some common file names that may cause this issue include:

  • file:default.yml
  • file:edit-reason.yml
  • file:reason-other.yml

Q: How can I resolve this issue if I have already committed the files?

A: If you have already committed the files, you can try to resolve the issue by using the git restore command to restore the files to their original state. However, if the files have already been deleted or modified, you may need to use the git reset command to reset the repository to a previous state.

Q: Can I use a different version of Git to resolve this issue?

A: Yes, you can try using a different version of Git to resolve this issue. However, it's recommended to use the latest version of Git to ensure that you have the latest features and bug fixes.

Q: How can I prevent this issue from occurring on other platforms?

A: To prevent this issue from occurring on other platforms, you can implement a pre-commit hook to check for files with colons in their names and prevent them from being committed. This hook can be used to ensure that only valid file names are committed to the repository.

Q: What are some best practices for avoiding this issue in the future?

A: Some best practices for avoiding this issue in the future include:

  • Avoiding the use of colons in file names
  • Using a pre-commit hook to check for files with colons in their names
  • Using a consistent naming convention for files and directories
  • Testing your code and repository regularly to ensure that it is working correctly

In conclusion, the regression issue affecting the Bluesky Git repository on Windows is a result of Git's inability to process files with colons in their names on Windows. By implementing a pre-commit hook and following best practices, developers can prevent this issue from occurring in the future and ensure seamless cross-platform development. We hope this Q&A article has provided valuable insights and answers to common questions related to this issue.