You can set today as default date using by passing moment(); only.
So in your case you have to do $scope.ctrl.datepicker = moment();
Below is working example:
HTML:
<div class="form-control"
moment-picker="ctrl.div.stringDate"
format="YYYY-MM-DD"
locale="en"
ng-model="ctrl.div.momentDate">
<a class="pull-right"
ng-if="ctrl.div.stringDate"
ng-click="ctrl.div.momentDate = undefined">
×
</a>
<span ng-class="{'text-muted': !ctrl.div.stringDate}">
{{ ctrl.div.stringDate || 'Select a date...' }}
</span>
</div>
JavaScript controller:
ctrl.setToday = function (which) {
ctrl[which].momentDate = moment();
};
Here is complete code:
https://plnkr.co/edit/3tf1IeOoZimt9V6HQnSp?p=preview