How to Install Git LFS: Step-by-Step Guide

To install git lfs, download and run the installer for your operating system or use your package manager. After installation, run git lfs install once to set up Git LFS in your environment.

Syntax

The basic syntax to install Git LFS depends on your operating system and package manager. After installing the software, you must run git lfs install to initialize it for your user account.

• Windows: Use the official installer or choco install git-lfs if you have Chocolatey.
• macOS: Use Homebrew with brew install git-lfs.
• Linux: Use your distro's package manager, e.g., sudo apt install git-lfs for Debian/Ubuntu.

Then run:

git lfs install

This command sets up Git LFS hooks in your Git configuration.

bash

git lfs install

Output

Git LFS initialized.

Example

This example shows how to install Git LFS on macOS using Homebrew and initialize it.

bash

brew install git-lfs
git lfs install

Output

==> Downloading https://formulae.brew.sh/api/formula.json
==> Installing dependencies for git-lfs: ...
==> Installing git-lfs...
==> Pouring git-lfs-3.3.0.catalina.bottle.tar.gz
==> Caveats
Git LFS initialized.

Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes when installing Git LFS include:

• Forgetting to run git lfs install after installation, which means Git LFS won't work properly.
• Using outdated package managers or installers that install old versions.
• Not having Git installed before installing Git LFS.
• Not restarting your terminal or IDE after installation, so the new commands are not recognized.

bash

git lfs track "*.psd"
# Wrong: If git lfs install was not run, this will not work properly

# Right:
git lfs install
git lfs track "*.psd"

Quick Reference

Command	Description
brew install git-lfs	Install Git LFS on macOS using Homebrew
sudo apt install git-lfs	Install Git LFS on Debian/Ubuntu Linux
choco install git-lfs	Install Git LFS on Windows using Chocolatey
git lfs install	Initialize Git LFS in your user environment
git lfs track ""	Track large files matching the pattern

Key Takeaways

Install Git LFS using your system's package manager or official installer.

Always run 'git lfs install' after installation to enable Git LFS hooks.

Make sure Git is installed before installing Git LFS.

Restart your terminal or IDE after installation to recognize Git LFS commands.

Use 'git lfs track' to specify which large files Git LFS should manage.