VS Code Extension - GitMoveRight
Moving a file in VS Code silently destroys its Git history. GitMoveRight fixes that automatically.
The Problem
Dragging a file to a new folder in the VS Code Explorer is a raw filesystem operation. Git has no idea a rename happened. It just sees one file disappear and an untracked file appear. Your Source Control panel fills up with a confusing delete/add pair, and once you commit, all of that file's history is gone. Every blame annotation, every git log --follow, every diff: wiped.
The Solution
GitMoveRight watches for file moves and immediately stages them as a proper Git rename. Git recognises it as the same file, history is preserved, and your Source Control panel shows a clean R status. Nothing to configure, nothing to remember. Just drag and drop as you always have.
Features
- Automatic. Works silently in the background. Just drag and drop as normal.
- History-preserving. Moves are staged as Git renames, keeping full commit history,
git log --follow, and blame intact. - Safe. Only acts on files already tracked by Git. Untracked files and files outside a Git repository are left completely alone.
- "Move with Git..." Right-click any file in the Explorer for an explicit, dialog-driven move when you want full control.
- Configurable. Turn off automatic staging or notifications at any time via VS Code Settings.
How to Use
Automatic (drag and drop)
Move files in the Explorer as you normally would. GitMoveRight handles the rest. You'll see a brief notification confirming the rename was staged, and the Source Control panel will show R instead of a delete/add pair.
Manual ("Move with Git...")
- Right-click any tracked file in the Explorer
- Select Move with Git...
- Choose the destination in the save dialog
- GitMoveRight moves the file and stages the rename for you
GitMoveRight is free and open source. Download it from the VS Code Marketplace or browse the source on GitHub.