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NAME

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

SYNOPSIS

       git 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 create new files 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 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 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[1]>

GIT

       Part of the git(1) suite

NOTES

        1. torvalds@osdl.org
           mailto:torvalds@osdl.org