Simplifying Large File Management in Git with Git LFS¶

Introduction¶

Introduction¶

Have you ever faced the challenge of managing large files within a Git repository?

Whether you're an experienced developer or just beginning your coding journey, dealing with large files in version control can be perplexing. Often, developers resort to .gitignore to exclude files, but what if there are essential large files crucial for your project's integrity?

Enter Git LFS (Large File Storage), a solution designed to revolutionize how Git repositories handle large files. While some files are pivotal to track, keeping repositories lean and efficient remains a priority.

This guide unlocks the potential of Git LFS, providing a step-by-step approach to seamlessly incorporate it into your version control workflow. Discover how Git LFS streamlines large file management, ensuring your repository stays clean and optimized.

Let's navigate the realm of large file management in Git, ensuring your projects stay organized and efficient.

Steps to Implement Git LFS¶

1. Installing Git LFS¶

Begin by installing Git LFS. Visit the Git LFS website for installation instructions tailored to your operating system.

2. Initializing Git LFS¶

In your repository, run the command:

git lfs install

This command sets up Git LFS for your project, preparing it to manage large files.

3. Tracking Large Files¶

Identify the large files you want to store using Git LFS and begin tracking them. You can manually specify these files using:

git lfs track "path/to/your/large/file"

For an efficient approach to track multiple files of specific extensions and sizes (such as `.avi` and `.gif` files larger than 19MB), a script can simplify the process. For exa:

```bash
#!/bin/bash

# Find .avi files larger than 19MB and track them with Git LFS
find . -type f -name "*.avi" -size +19M | while read -r file; do
    git lfs track "$file"
done

# Find .gif files larger than 19MB and track them with Git LFS
find . -type f -name "*.gif" -size +19M | while read -r file; do
    git lfs track "$file"
done
```

Ensure to execute this script within your Git repository directory.

4. Updating .gitattributes¶

After tracking the files, update your .gitattributes file with the tracking information:

git add .gitattributes
git commit -m "Track large .avi and .gif files with Git LFS"

5. Commit and Push Changes¶

Following the usual Git workflow, add and commit your changes:

git add .
git commit -m "Message"

Finally, push the changes to your remote repository:

git push origin master

Assuming you're on the master branch, this step uploads the large files to the Git LFS server.

By successfully implementing Git LFS, your large files are now efficiently managed within the repository, enhancing version control capabilities.

For detailed installation instructions and additional information about Git LFS, refer to the Git LFS installation guide.

More ressources¶

- untrack with git-lfs¶