Place the repository not in the same directory as the working copy

Question

Is there a way to place the repository (.hg/) not in the same directory as the working copy?

Like you can in Git by using GIT_DIR and GIT_WORK_TREE environment variables.

Background: I want to use Mercurial to keep track of modifications in important directories on Linux and Solaris servers. But I want to avoid polluting delicate directories with any "alien" files (like /platform/... or /kernel/drv/ on Solaris).

Answer 1

There isn't. However, you can always have the .hg directory further up. You could have it as /.hg and have .* in your .hgignore. Then just add whatever you want at whatever depth you want.

Also checkout etckeeper if you're using this for system files where ownership and permissions matter.