setup: suggest 'git init' when no repository is found

NotUnHackable · NotUnHackable · commit b068be71a063 · 2026-03-11T22:00:41.000+05:30
When Git cannot find a .git directory, the error message now includes
a helpful hint suggesting to run 'git init' to initialize a new
repository. This helps new developers understand what to do when
they encounter this common error.

This follows the pattern established by the 'detected dubious ownership'
error message which provides actionable guidance to users.
diff --git a/setup.c b/setup.c
@@ -1881,14 +1881,16 @@ const char *setup_git_directory_gently(int *nongit_ok)
 		break;
 	case GIT_DIR_HIT_CEILING:
 		if (!nongit_ok)
-			die(_("not a git repository (or any of the parent directories): %s"),
+			die(_("not a git repository (or any of the parent directories): %s\n"
+			      "See also the 'git init' command for initializing a new repository."),
 			    DEFAULT_GIT_DIR_ENVIRONMENT);
 		*nongit_ok = 1;
 		break;
 	case GIT_DIR_HIT_MOUNT_POINT:
 		if (!nongit_ok)
 			die(_("not a git repository (or any parent up to mount point %s)\n"
-			      "Stopping at filesystem boundary (GIT_DISCOVERY_ACROSS_FILESYSTEM not set)."),
+			      "Stopping at filesystem boundary (GIT_DISCOVERY_ACROSS_FILESYSTEM not set).\n"
+			      "See also the 'git init' command for initializing a new repository."),
 			    dir.buf);
 		*nongit_ok = 1;
 		break;
