NAME
git-pack-refs - Pack heads and tags for efficient repository accessSYNOPSIS
git pack-refs [--all] [--no-prune]
DESCRIPTION
Traditionally, tips of branches and tags (collectively known as refs) were stored one file per ref in a (sub)directory 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.OPTIONS
--allThe 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.
BUGS
Older documentation written before the packed-refs mechanism was introduced may still say things like ".git/refs/heads/<branch> file exists" when it means "branch <branch> exists".GIT
Part of the git(1) suite02/28/2023 | Git 2.39.2 |