How to start MingW Console (GitBash) from Command Line on Windows?

Question

I'm trying to automate my work environment set up using a batch file. I'm stuck at a point where I am not able to start the MingW64 Console from command line.

start "" "%ProgramFiles%\Git\bin\sh.exe" --login works fine but it seems to open a different shell window than that I am looking for. I'll explain this with pictures.

What it opens is a default cmd style window with bash integrated. This window isn't even resizeable

What I want is

I was trying to use the command start "" "%ProgramFiles%\Git\git-bash.exe" --login -i -c /bin/bash but it seems to quickly close the shell after opening it. If I execute the same file from explorer, the shell doesn't close automatically.

Here is my full batch file for reference

@echo on

REM start PHP and MYSQL
start "" mysql_server\UniServerZ\UniController.exe start_both

REM Open PhpMyAdmin
start "" http://localhost/us_opt1/

REM Open Folders
start "" %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe "E:\work\"

REM Open Git Bash Instance
:: in order to open the shell in that path
cd E:\work\
:: start "" "%ProgramFiles%\Git\bin\sh.exe" --login
start "" "%ProgramFiles%\Git\git-bash.exe" --login -i -c /bin/bash

REM start sublime text
start "" "E:\Sublime Text Build 3083 x64\sublime_text.exe"

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 11:45:49Z

16

git-bash.exe -i -c "/bin/bash" seems to work better.
This issue illustrates various other ways to call git-bash.exe, but concludes:

Preferred way to run git-for-windows is using git-cmd.exe:

c:\git\git-cmd.exe --command=usr/bin/bash.exe -l -i

That however only opens a session in the current cmd, while git-bash.exe opens a new windows.

Combined with this question (to open a new console) and this one (to avoid two CMD windows), I would use:

start /b cmd /c git-bash.exe -i -l -c "/bin/bash"

The OP Atif Mohammed Ameenuddin reports in the comments this as working fine:

start "" "%ProgramFiles%\Git\git-bash.exe"

edited May 23, 2017 at 11:45

CommunityBot

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answered Dec 13, 2015 at 15:10

VonC

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6 Comments

Atif Over a year ago

Thanks for the insight on this. start /b cmd /c "%ProgramFiles%\Git\git-bash.exe" -i -l -c "/bin/bash" doesn't seem to work, but start "" "%ProgramFiles%\Git\git-bash.exe" works

VonC Over a year ago

@AtifMohammedAmeenuddin Great! I have included your conclusion in the answer for more visibility.

Tim Malone Over a year ago

While this is working for me, I'm finding I have to press Ctrl+C once the Git bash window opens in order to actually get to the prompt. Has anyone else experienced this?

VonC Over a year ago

@TimMalone Strange. What git version are you using? On which Windows?

Tim Malone Over a year ago

@VonC 2.8.1 on Windows 10. Maybe I should try updating Git, I'm a little behind.

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Fane a lu' Matei · Accepted Answer · 2023-05-21 14:00:15Z

1

work on windows 10

start "" "%ProgramFiles%\Git\bin\sh.exe" --login

;

start "" "%ProgramFiles%\Git\git-bash.exe"

tx !

edited May 21, 2023 at 14:00

answered May 21, 2023 at 13:59

Fane a lu' Matei

113 bronze badges

1 Comment

Keith Langmead Over a year ago

You answer includes very little detail and nothing to indicate what new information your answer provides compared to the existing answers.

ltapia · Accepted Answer · 2023-07-18 04:15:08Z

0

Oneline to open it in a different path, and for example execute a command:

start "" "%ProgramFiles%\Git\git-bash.exe" --cd="E:\work" -c "git status; /bin/bash"

If there is a command it's always at the end.

edited Jul 18, 2023 at 4:15

answered Jul 18, 2023 at 4:12

ltapia

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