How can I include untracked files when saving work in a Git stash?

A plain git stash is equivalent to git stash push; it does not include untracked files. In a disposable local repository, use git stash push -u. The -u option, also written --include-untracked, adds untracked files to the stash and then cleans them from the working tree. [S1]

For example, suppose you have a tracked file you edited and a new, untracked draft file. Run:

git stash push -u

The untracked files covered by the command are removed from the working tree. If you only meant to save tracked changes and leave new files in place, don’t add -u.

Inspect the saved entry with git stash show --include-untracked. Git documents that git stash show may not display untracked contents unless you pass --include-untracked (or its short form, -u). [S1]

In a disposable repository, the basic sequence is:

git stash push -u
git stash show --include-untracked

Compare the displayed contents with the files you intended to save, especially the name of the new file. Without the include-untracked option, the display may not show untracked contents. Review the output rather than assuming the stash contains exactly the files you intended.

No. The documented -u option includes untracked files, while --all is broader: it includes ignored as well as untracked files. [S1] Since your goal is to include untracked files, use -u rather than expanding the command to --all by default.

Decide separately whether the ignored file should be part of this saved work. The source documents the scope of --all, but it does not establish whether any particular ignored file is necessary or appropriate to save. For this guide’s limited task, keep ignored files outside the stash unless you have a specific reason to include them.

Use this checklist before relying on the stash:

1. Identify the intended changes in tracked files and the intended untracked files.
2. Decide separately whether any ignored files should be included; -u does not include them.
3. In the disposable repository, run git stash push -u to include tracked changes and untracked files.
4. Inspect the saved entry with git stash show --include-untracked and compare its displayed contents with your intended file list.
5. If you expected an ignored file to be included, don’t treat a -u stash as covering it. The broader --all option includes ignored files as well as untracked files. [S1]

Worked example: assume the tracked edit and untracked draft are the two items you want, and an ignored file is out of scope. Run git stash push -u, then inspect with git stash show --include-untracked. Check the output for the tracked edit and draft, and do not count the ignored file as included. This is a coverage check, not a reason to assume files were saved without reviewing the output.