When MATLAB starts, it will look for a pathdef.m file in its startup directory. It should not be edited - leave the default MATLAB path containing only MATLAB native toolboxes. The rest should be configured dynamically, as explained below.

If a custom startup.m is found on the path, it will be executed: https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/ref/startup.html

There are two ways to configure place the startup.m on the path:

1. Custom startup folder set via MATLAB icon: (right click on the MATLAB icon | Properties | Start in ) (e.g. F:\Dropbox\Sources\Repos\matlab_config\MATLAB2014) allows controlling different paths and other settings via startup.m file placed in this folder.

2. Place custom startup.m to the userpath

Example startup.m:

disp('Welcome to MATLAB2014');
set_sources_path;
edit;
EditorMacro('Alt-Control-h', @ig_createHeaderComment_dag);
dbstop if error

The function set_sources_path.m can be something like the one below, to add all repositories but exclude not needed internal .git folders:

addpath(genpath_exclude('F:\Dropbox\Sources\Repos','.git')); 

Or, the minimal startup.m can be just:

addpath(genpath_exclude('YOUR_PATH_TO_REPOS','.git')); 

In this case, genpath_exclude.m should also be placed in the startup folder.

See https://github.com/igorkagan/matlab_config for example that includes genpath_exclude.m