Track Binary Files in Git LFS

Track Binary Files in Git LFS

Git LFS (Large File Storage) is an extension that helps you manage large binary files in your Git repository efficiently. This guide will show you how to set up and use Git LFS for tracking large files.

What You’ll Learn

• Setting up Git LFS
• Tracking large files
• Managing LFS files
• Best practices
• Common use cases

Implementation Steps

1. Install Git LFS

   # macOS
   brew install git-lfs
   
   # Ubuntu/Debian
   sudo apt install git-lfs
   
   # Windows (with Chocolatey)
   choco install git-lfs
   

   • Install package
   • Verify installation
   • Initialize LFS
   • Configure Git

2. Initialize Git LFS

   # Initialize Git LFS
   git lfs install
   
   # Verify installation
   git lfs version
   
   # Configure Git LFS
   git lfs track "*.psd"
   git lfs track "*.zip"
   git lfs track "*.pdf"
   

   • Set up LFS
   • Configure tracking
   • Add patterns
   • Commit configuration

3. Track Large Files

   # Track specific files
   git lfs track "path/to/large-file.zip"
   
   # Track file types
   git lfs track "*.mp4"
   git lfs track "*.iso"
   
   # List tracked files
   git lfs track
   
   # Add and commit
   git add .gitattributes
   git commit -m "Configure Git LFS tracking"
   

   • Add files
   • Configure patterns
   • Update attributes
   • Commit changes

4. Manage LFS Files

   # List LFS files
   git lfs ls-files
   
   # Check LFS status
   git lfs status
   
   # Clean LFS files
   git lfs prune
   
   # Verify LFS objects
   git lfs verify
   

   • Monitor files
   • Check status
   • Clean storage
   • Verify integrity

Best Practices

1. File Selection

   • Choose appropriate files
   • Set size limits
   • Consider alternatives
   • Document decisions

2. Storage Management

   • Regular cleanup
   • Size monitoring
   • Storage limits
   • Backup strategy

3. Workflow

   • Team coordination
   • Clear guidelines
   • Regular maintenance
   • Documentation

4. Performance

   • Optimize patterns
   • Monitor usage
   • Clean regularly
   • Update configuration

Common Use Cases

1. Design Assets

   # Track design files
   git lfs track "*.psd"
   git lfs track "*.ai"
   git lfs track "*.sketch"
   
   # Add and commit
   git add .gitattributes
   git commit -m "Track design files with Git LFS"
   

2. Media Files

   # Track media files
   git lfs track "*.mp4"
   git lfs track "*.mov"
   git lfs track "*.wav"
   
   # Add and commit
   git add .gitattributes
   git commit -m "Track media files with Git LFS"
   

3. Documentation

   # Track documentation
   git lfs track "*.pdf"
   git lfs track "*.epub"
   git lfs track "*.mobi"
   
   # Add and commit
   git add .gitattributes
   git commit -m "Track documentation with Git LFS"
   

4. Build Artifacts

   # Track build files
   git lfs track "*.zip"
   git lfs track "*.tar.gz"
   git lfs track "*.iso"
   
   # Add and commit
   git add .gitattributes
   git commit -m "Track build artifacts with Git LFS"
   

Advanced Usage

1. Custom Patterns

   # Track specific directories
   git lfs track "assets/**/*.psd"
   
   # Track file size
   git lfs track "*.{zip,tar.gz}" --size=100MB
   
   # Track multiple patterns
   git lfs track "*.{mp4,mov,avi}" "videos/**/*"
   

2. Batch Operations

   # Migrate existing files
   git lfs migrate import --include="*.psd"
   
   # Clean old versions
   git lfs prune --older-than=30d
   
   # Verify all files
   git lfs verify --all
   

3. Storage Optimization

   # Set storage limit
   git config lfs.storage 5GB
   
   # Enable compression
   git config lfs.compression true
   
   # Set cleanup policy
   git config lfs.prune.verify-remote-always true
   

4. Team Configuration

   # Share configuration
   git lfs track > .gitattributes
   git add .gitattributes
   git commit -m "Share Git LFS configuration"
   
   # Update team
   git lfs pull
   git lfs fetch --all
   

Common Issues and Solutions

1. Storage Issues

   # Check storage usage
   git lfs status
   
   # Clean up storage
   git lfs prune
   
   # Verify storage
   git lfs verify
   

2. Performance Problems

   # Optimize patterns
   git lfs track "*.{psd,ai}" --size=50MB
   
   # Clean cache
   git lfs prune
   
   # Update configuration
   git config lfs.concurrenttransfers 8
   

3. Migration Issues

   # Fix migration
   git lfs migrate import --include="*.psd" --force
   
   # Verify migration
   git lfs ls-files
   
   # Clean up
   git lfs prune
   

Conclusion

Git LFS is essential for:

• Managing large files
• Optimizing storage
• Team collaboration
• Version control
• Performance

Next Steps

After setting up Git LFS, consider:

• Optimizing patterns
• Setting up automation
• Monitoring usage
• Team training