How to Track Large Files in Git LFS Easily

To track large files in git lfs, first install Git LFS, then run git lfs track "" to specify which files to track. Finally, commit the changes to .gitattributes and push your files as usual.

Syntax

The basic command to track large files with Git LFS is git lfs track "". This tells Git LFS to manage files matching the pattern.

• git lfs track: Command to start tracking files with Git LFS.
• "": The file name or pattern (like *.psd) to track.
• After tracking, Git LFS updates the .gitattributes file to record these patterns.

Remember to commit the .gitattributes file so others also track the same files.

bash

git lfs track "<file-pattern>"

Example

This example shows how to track a large image file named photo.png using Git LFS.

bash

git lfs install

git lfs track "photo.png"

git add .gitattributes photo.png

git commit -m "Track photo.png with Git LFS"

git push origin main

Output

Git LFS initialized.
Tracking "photo.png"
[main abc1234] Track photo.png with Git LFS
 2 files changed, 2 insertions(+)
Enumerating objects: 5, done.
Counting objects: 100% (5/5), done.
Delta compression using up to 8 threads
Compressing objects: 100% (3/3), done.
Writing objects: 100% (3/3), 1.23 MiB | 1.23 MiB/s, done.
Total 3 (delta 0), reused 0 (delta 0)
To origin/main

Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes when using Git LFS include:

• Not running git lfs install before tracking files, which sets up Git LFS hooks.
• Forgetting to commit the .gitattributes file, so others won't track the files properly.
• Trying to track files after they are already committed without rewriting history, which won't retroactively convert them.
• Using incorrect file patterns that don't match the intended files.

Always track files before adding them to Git.

bash

## Wrong way (tracking after commit)
git add largefile.zip

# Commit without tracking

git commit -m "Add largefile.zip"

# Then track (too late)
git lfs track "largefile.zip"

# .gitattributes updated but largefile.zip is already in Git history

## Right way

git lfs track "largefile.zip"
git add .gitattributes largefile.zip
git commit -m "Track largefile.zip with Git LFS"

Quick Reference

Summary tips for tracking large files with Git LFS:

• Run git lfs install once per machine.
• Use git lfs track "" before adding files.
• Commit the .gitattributes file to share tracking rules.
• Push files normally; Git LFS handles large file storage.
• Check tracked files with git lfs ls-files.

Key Takeaways

Always run 'git lfs install' before tracking large files to set up Git LFS.

Use 'git lfs track ""' before adding files to Git to enable LFS tracking.

Commit the '.gitattributes' file so tracking rules apply for everyone.

Track files before committing; tracking after commit won't convert existing files.

Use 'git lfs ls-files' to verify which files are tracked by Git LFS.