NAME

       git-pack-refs - Pack heads and tags for efficient repository access

SYNOPSIS

       git pack-refs [--all] [--no-prune] [--auto] [--include <pattern>] [--exclude <pattern>]

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.

       This command is used to solve the storage and performance problem by storing the refs in a
       single file, $GIT_DIR/packed-refs. When a ref is missing from the traditional
       $GIT_DIR/refs directory hierarchy, it is looked up in this file and used if found.

       Subsequent updates to branches always create new files under $GIT_DIR/refs directory
       hierarchy.

       A recommended practice to deal with a repository with too many refs is to pack its refs
       with --all once, and occasionally run git pack-refs. 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 the 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 all refs to be packed
           as well, with the exception of hidden refs, broken refs, and symbolic refs. 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.

       --auto
           Pack refs as needed depending on the current state of the ref database. The behavior
           depends on the ref format used by the repository and may change in the future.

           •   "files": No special handling for --auto has been implemented.

           •   "reftable": Tables are compacted such that they form a geometric sequence. For two
               tables N and N+1, where N+1 is newer, this maintains the property that N is at
               least twice as big as N+1. Only tables that violate this property are compacted.

       --include <pattern>
           Pack refs based on a glob(7) pattern. Repetitions of this option accumulate inclusion
           patterns. If a ref is both included in --include and --exclude, --exclude takes
           precedence. Using --include will preclude all tags from being included by default.
           Symbolic refs and broken refs will never be packed. When used with --all, it will be a
           noop. Use --no-include to clear and reset the list of patterns.

       --exclude <pattern>
           Do not pack refs matching the given glob(7) pattern. Repetitions of this option
           accumulate exclusion patterns. Use --no-exclude to clear and reset the list of
           patterns. If a ref is already packed, including it with --exclude will not unpack it.

       When used with --all, pack only loose refs which do not match any of the provided
       --exclude patterns.

       When used with --include, refs provided to --include, minus refs that are provided to
       --exclude will be packed.

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) suite