| git-pack-refs(1) |
| ================ |
| |
| NAME |
| ---- |
| git-pack-refs - Pack heads and tags for efficient repository access |
| |
| SYNOPSIS |
| -------- |
| 'git-pack-refs' [--all] [--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. |
| |
| OPTIONS |
| ------- |
| |
| \--all:: |
| |
| The command by default packs all tags and leaves branch tips |
| 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. |
| |
| \--prune:: |
| |
| After packing the refs, remove loose refs under `$GIT_DIR/refs` |
| hierarchy. This should probably become default. |
| |
| Author |
| ------ |
| Written by Linus Torvalds <torvalds@osdl.org> |
| |
| GIT |
| --- |
| Part of the gitlink:git[7] suite |
