LoopyLuci Windows Path Formats (MSYS/git-bash)
When running in MSYS/git-bash on Windows, three path formats exist. Using the wrong one breaks tools.
The Three Formats
| Format | Example | Works In |
|---|---|---|
| MSYS/Unix | /c/Users/Name/file.txt |
Bash, Python, git, ls, find |
| Windows | C:\Users\Name\file.txt |
CMD, PowerShell, Windows apps |
| Windows quoted | "C:\Users\Name\file.txt" |
curl -o, some CLI tools |
Tool Compatibility
| Tool | Path Format to Use |
|---|---|
ls, cd, cp, find |
MSYS: /c/Users/... |
python file.py |
MSYS: /c/Users/... |
curl -o |
Windows quoted: "C:\Users\...\file.zip" |
JAVA_HOME |
Windows double-backslash: C:\\Users\\... |
ANDROID_SDK_ROOT |
Windows double-backslash: C:\\Users\\... |
local.properties |
Forward slash: C:/Users/... |
MEDIA: protocol |
MSYS: /c/Users/... |
| Gradle/Java | Windows backslash: C:\Users\... |
Quick Reference
# These work:
ls /c/Users/dubem/file.txt
cp /c/Users/dubem/file.txt /c/Projects/
python /c/Projects/app/main.py
# Use quoted Windows paths for curl:
curl -o "C:\Users\dubem\file.zip" https://example.com/file.zip
# Use Windows double-backslash for Java:
export JAVA_HOME="C:\\Users\\dubem\\jdk"
Common Failures
| Command | Wrong | Right |
|---|---|---|
curl -o /c/Users/x.zip URL |
❌ Fails to write | ✅ -o "C:\Users\x.zip" |
export JAVA_HOME=/c/Users/jdk |
❌ sdkmanager rejects | ✅ C:\\Users\\jdk |
unzip /c/Users/x.zip |
✅ Works | Also works |
MEDIA:/c/Users/x.apk |
✅ Works | Also C:\Users\x.apk |