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Large File Storage Git LFS - Complete Guide

Published: September 25, 2024 | Reading time: 16 minutes

Git LFS Overview

Git LFS handles large files efficiently in version control:

Git LFS Benefits 
# Git LFS Benefits
- Efficient large file handling
- Reduced repository size
- Faster clone operations
- Better performance
- Transparent file access
- Version control for binaries
- Team collaboration

Git LFS Setup

Installation and Configuration

Git LFS Setup 
# Git LFS Setup

# 1. Install Git LFS
# macOS
brew install git-lfs

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install git-lfs

# Windows
# Download from https://git-lfs.github.io/

# 2. Initialize Git LFS
git lfs install

# 3. Track file types
git lfs track "*.psd"
git lfs track "*.zip"
git lfs track "*.mp4"
git lfs track "*.mov"
git lfs track "*.avi"
git lfs track "*.mp3"
git lfs track "*.wav"
git lfs track "*.pdf"
git lfs track "*.docx"
git lfs track "*.xlsx"

# 4. Track specific files
git lfs track "assets/images/hero.jpg"
git lfs track "data/large-dataset.csv"

# 5. Track by size
git lfs track "*.{jpg,jpeg,png,gif}" --size=1MB
git lfs track "*.{mp4,mov,avi}" --size=10MB

# 6. View tracked files
git lfs track

# 7. Add .gitattributes file
git add .gitattributes
git commit -m "Add Git LFS tracking"

# 8. Push LFS files
git push origin main

# 9. Clone repository with LFS
git clone --recurse-submodules 

# 10. Pull LFS files
git lfs pull

LFS Configuration

Advanced Configuration Options

LFS Configuration 
# Git LFS Configuration

# 1. Global Configuration
git config --global lfs.url https://github.com/username/repo.git/info/lfs
git config --global lfs.batch true
git config --global lfs.concurrenttransfers 3

# 2. Repository Configuration
git config lfs.url https://github.com/username/repo.git/info/lfs
git config lfs.batch true
git config lfs.concurrenttransfers 5

# 3. LFS Configuration File
# .lfsconfig
[lfs]
    url = https://github.com/username/repo.git/info/lfs
    batch = true
    concurrenttransfers = 3
    tlstimeout = 30

# 4. File Size Limits
# Set maximum file size
git config lfs.fetchexclude "*.{mp4,mov,avi}"
git config lfs.fetchexclude "*.{zip,rar,7z}"

# 5. LFS Storage Configuration
# Use different storage backend
git config lfs.url https://lfs-server.example.com/info/lfs

# 6. LFS Authentication
# Configure authentication
git config lfs.https://github.com/username/repo.git/info/lfs.access basic
git config lfs.https://github.com/username/repo.git/info/lfs.access token

# 7. LFS Transfer Settings
# Configure transfer settings
git config lfs.transfer.maxretries 3
git config lfs.transfer.maxretrydelay 10
git config lfs.transfer.maxretrydelay 60

# 8. LFS Cleanup
# Clean up LFS files
git lfs prune

# 9. LFS Status
# Check LFS status
git lfs status

# 10. LFS Logs
# View LFS logs
git lfs logs last

LFS Best Practices

File Management Guidelines

LFS Best Practices

  • Track appropriate file types
  • Set reasonable size limits
  • Use batch operations
  • Configure concurrent transfers
  • Monitor LFS usage
  • Clean up unused files
  • Document LFS configuration

Common Mistakes

  • Tracking too many file types
  • Not setting size limits
  • Ignoring LFS configuration
  • Not monitoring usage
  • Forgetting to commit .gitattributes
  • Not cleaning up files
  • Poor file organization

Summary

Git LFS for large file storage involves several key components:

  • LFS Setup: Installation, initialization, file tracking
  • Configuration: Global settings, repository settings, transfer options
  • File Management: Tracking, pushing, pulling, cleanup
  • Best Practices: Guidelines, common mistakes, optimization

Need More Help?

Struggling with Git LFS setup or need help managing large files in your repository? Our Git experts can help you implement effective LFS strategies.

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