Suggest an editImprove this articleRefine the answer for “What is the working directory?”. Your changes go to moderation before they’re published.Approval requiredContentWhat you’re changing🇺🇸EN🇺🇦UAPreviewTitle (EN)Short answer (EN)**The working directory** is the current state of the project's files on disk that the developer works with. **Key point:** changes first land in the working directory, then get added to the staging area, and after a commit are saved to the history.Shown above the full answer for quick recall.Answer (EN)Image**The working directory** is the current state of the project's files on disk that the developer works with. This is: - the files you see in the project folder - the code that opens in the editor - the place where you make changes manually The working directory contains: - unchanged files - changed files that are not yet added to the staging area - new (untracked) files The working directory differs from: - the **staging area (index)** - changes prepared for a commit - the **repository (history)** - already saved commits Relationship between states: - changes first land in the **working directory** - then get added to the **staging area** - after a commit they are saved to the **history** A key phrasing for an interview: > The working directory is the working copy of the project where all changes happen before they get added to the staging area and committed.For the reviewerNote to the moderator (optional)Visible only to the moderator. Helps review go faster.