Git Unicode Filenames and `core.quotePath` Cheat Sheet

Date Created: 2026-08-30
Last Updated: 2026-08-30

1. The Problem

git status may show a Unicode filename like this:

"\343\202\265\343\203\263\343\203\227\343\203\253\343\203\225\343\202\241\343\202\244\343\203\253.xlsx"

instead of:

サンプルファイル.xlsx

This is only how Git displays the pathname. The file itself is not renamed or corrupted.

2. Recommended Setting

To make Git display Unicode filenames normally:

git config --global core.quotePath false

After that, commands such as git status will show:

サンプルファイル.xlsx

instead of the escaped form.

3. Command Breakdown

git config --global core.quotePath false

Part	Meaning
`git config`	Read or change Git configuration
`--global`	Apply to your user account
`core.quotePath`	Controls how Git displays non-ASCII pathnames
`false`	Display Unicode characters directly

4. Safety

This setting changes display only.

It does not:

rename files;
modify file contents;
change commits or history;
affect branches;
change which files are tracked.

For normal development work, it is generally safe and convenient.

5. Useful Commands

Check the current value

git config --global core.quotePath

Show where the setting comes from

git config --show-origin --get core.quotePath

Restore the default behavior

git config --global --unset core.quotePath

or:

git config --global core.quotePath true

Apply only to the current repository

git config core.quotePath false

6. Example

Before:

$ git status

Untracked files:
    note.md
    "\343\202\265\343\203\263\343\203\227\343\203\253\343\203\225\343\202\241\343\202\244\343\203\253.xlsx"

Set:

git config --global core.quotePath false

After:

$ git status

Untracked files:
    note.md
    サンプルファイル.xlsx

You can then use the readable filename directly:

git add "サンプルファイル.xlsx"
file "サンプルファイル.xlsx"

7. Quick Reference

Goal	Command
Show Unicode filenames normally	`git config --global core.quotePath false`
Check the global value	`git config --global core.quotePath`
Show config source	`git config --show-origin --get core.quotePath`
Restore default behavior	`git config --global --unset core.quotePath`
Enable quoting explicitly	`git config --global core.quotePath true`
Set only for current repo	`git config core.quotePath false`

8. Maintenance Notes

Scope: Git pathname display.
Recommendation: Use core.quotePath=false if you regularly work with readable Unicode filenames.

Git Unicode Filenames and core.quotePath Cheat Sheet