First I created .git/ directory by typing 'git init' in /dev/shm where I have few BIG files and tmp dirs with compiled software Initially I ran into problem that git was checking ALL my files, it was slow and wrong. so, I consulted 'man gitignore' It worked much better with this .gitignore in /dev/shm/ (as example) (ignore all files BUT *.xml ones in tree, do not look into dirs) --- */* *.* !*.xml now if you run ./gitwatch from its own git tree, you will see .... ./gitwatch.sh /dev/shm/ [master d067f65] Scripted auto-commit on change (2021-01-15 17:46:25) by gitwatch.sh 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) [master 30c5669] Scripted auto-commit on change (2021-01-15 17:46:35) by gitwatch.sh 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+) create mode 120000 .#1.xml [master 4ac3506] Scripted auto-commit on change (2021-01-15 17:46:38) by gitwatch.sh 2 files changed, 8 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-) delete mode 120000 .#1.xml [master 77f79f9] Scripted auto-commit on change (2021-01-15 17:46:48) by gitwatch.sh 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+) create mode 120000 .#1.xml [master d8508b2] Scripted auto-commit on change (2021-01-15 17:46:59) by gitwatch.sh 2 files changed, 1 insertion(+), 10 deletions(-) delete mode 120000 .#1.xml ^C (I was using mc's editor) Now you can look around by using git log, git reflog and gitk (graphical git tree viewer) And return to any point in time. (git reset --hard <commit> / git checkout <commit>) Be aware, that wrong/absent .gitignore file WILL cause ALL stuff in dirs and subdirs to be checked in, this is obviously (?) not that you want. Yes, this is not out-of-the box, not GUI. But. IT WORKS.