GIT-PACK-REFS(1) Git Manual GIT-PACK-REFS(1)NAMEgit-pack-refs - Pack heads and tags for efficient repository access
SYNOPSISgit-pack-refs [--all] [--no-prune]
DESCRIPTION
Traditionally, tips of branches and tags (collectively known as refs)
were stored one file per ref under $GIT_DIR/refs directory. While many
branch tips tend to be updated often, most tags and some branch tips
are never updated. When a repository has hundreds or thousands of tags,
this one-file-per-ref format both wastes storage and hurts performance.
This command is used to solve the storage and performance problem by
stashing the refs in a single file, $GIT_DIR/packed-refs. When a ref is
missing from the traditional $GIT_DIR/refs hierarchy, it is looked up
in this file and used if found.
Subsequent updates to branches always creates new file under
$GIT_DIR/refs hierarchy.
A recommended practice to deal with a repository with too many refs is
to pack its refs with --all --prune once, and occasionally run
git-pack-refs--prune. Tags are by definition stationary and are not
expected to change. Branch heads will be packed with the initial
pack-refs --all, but only the currently active branch heads will become
unpacked, and next pack-refs (without --all) will leave them unpacked.
OPTIONS--all The command by default packs all tags and refs that are already
packed, and leaves other refs alone. This is because branches
are expected to be actively developed and packing their tips
does not help performance. This option causes branch tips to be
packed as well. Useful for a repository with many branches of
historical interests.
--no-prune
The command usually removes loose refs under $GIT_DIR/refs
hierarchy after packing them. This option tells it not to.
AUTHOR
Written by Linus Torvalds <torvalds@osdl.org>
GIT
Part of the git(7) suite
Git 1.5.5.2 10/21/2008 GIT-PACK-REFS(1)
