[JENKINS-28529] Git polling deletes files in workspace if "clean" and "ignore commits in path" are both enabled

Sample GIT repo with the following content:

• ./dir1/file1


• ./dir1/file3


• ./dir2/file2


• ./file1


• ./file2

When using the following GIT client configuration

• Clean before checkout


• Polling ignores commits in certain paths
  
  
  
  • Included: dir1\/.*
  
  
  • Excluded:
  
  
  
  


• Sparse checkout paths (this is optional; issue is triggered without as well)
  
  
  
  • Path: dir1
  
  
  
  

the GIT client plugin resets the workspace when polling for changes, i.e. removes any files not part of the repository outside regular job runs. This is rather disturbing if one wants to check the workspace after a build for whatever reason and cannot find files created by the previous build anymore because the periodic polling deleted them in the meantime.

---
Originally reported by rschuetz, imported from: Git polling deletes files in workspace if "clean" and "ignore commits in path" are both enabled

• status: Open
  
• priority: Major
  
• component(s): git-plugin
  
• resolution: Unresolved
  
• votes: 5
  
• watchers: 10
  
• imported: 2025-12-02
  

Raw content of original issue

Sample GIT repo with the following content:




	
./dir1/file1

	
./dir1/file3

	
./dir2/file2

	
./file1

	
./file2



When using the following GIT client configuration




	
Clean before checkout

	
Polling ignores commits in certain paths

	


		
Included: dir1\/.*

		
Excluded: <empty>

	

	

	
Sparse checkout paths (this is optional; issue is triggered without as well)

	


		
Path: dir1

	

	



the GIT client plugin resets the workspace when polling for changes, i.e. removes any files not part of the repository outside regular job runs. This is rather disturbing if one wants to check the workspace after a build for whatever reason and cannot find files created by the previous build anymore because the periodic polling deleted them in the meantime.

environment

```
Jenkins ver. 1.596,

git-plugin 2.3.5,

git-client-plugin 1.16.1
```