LFS - Git LFS Management

Overview

The

lfs

Key Concept: Git LFS stores large binary files (recordings, images, documentation assets) as pointers in the repository, with actual content stored separately. These commands ensure you have the actual file content, not just pointers.

This is a development command - run with

just

ujust

Quick Reference

just lfs checkout

just lfs status

just lfs fetch -p 'pattern'

just lfs verify

just lfs help

Parameters

just lfs <action> [parameters]

action

pattern

--pattern

-p

""

Actions

Checkout All LFS Files

just lfs checkout

Fetches and checks out all LFS-tracked files in the repository. This replaces pointer files with actual content.

Use when: After cloning the repository or when LFS files show as pointers.

Show Status

just lfs status

Displays status of all LFS-tracked files including:

• File paths
• File sizes
• Whether content is present or still a pointer

Use when: To see which LFS files are in the repository and their sizes.

Fetch Specific Files

# Fetch documentation assets
just lfs fetch -p 'docs/**'

# Fetch recordings
just lfs fetch --pattern='docs/recordings/*.cast'

# Fetch images
just lfs fetch -p '*.png'

Selectively fetches LFS files matching a glob pattern. Useful for large repositories where you only need specific assets.

Use when: You only need certain LFS files and want to save bandwidth/time.

Verify Files

just lfs verify

Verifies that all LFS-tracked files have been properly checked out (not still pointer files).

Use when: Before committing or to diagnose LFS issues.

Common Workflows

After Cloning Repository

# Clone repository
git clone <repo-url>
cd bazzite-ai

# Check LFS status
just lfs status

# Checkout all LFS files
just lfs checkout

# Verify everything is present
just lfs verify

Working with Documentation

# Fetch only documentation assets
just lfs fetch -p 'docs/**'

# Build documentation
just docs-build

Before Committing

# Verify LFS files are properly tracked
just lfs verify

# Check status
just lfs status

# Commit changes
git add -A && git commit -m "message"

LFS-Tracked File Types

The repository typically tracks these file types with LFS:

*.cast

*.png

*.jpg

*.gif

*.qcow2

*.raw

*.iso

Troubleshooting

LFS Files Show as Pointers

Symptom: Opening a file shows text like

version https://git-lfs.github.com/spec/v1...

Cause: LFS content not fetched

Fix:

just lfs checkout

Fetch Fails with Authentication Error

Symptom:

error: authentication required

Cause: Not authenticated to LFS server

Fix:

# For GitHub
git credential fill <<EOF
protocol=https
host=github.com
EOF

# Then retry
just lfs checkout

Verify Shows Missing Files

Symptom:

just lfs verify

Cause: LFS content not fully downloaded

Fix:

# Force re-fetch all
git lfs fetch --all
just lfs checkout
just lfs verify

Pattern Doesn't Match

Symptom:

just lfs fetch -p 'docs/*'

Cause: Pattern needs to match full path or use

**

Fix:

# Use ** for recursive matching
just lfs fetch -p 'docs/**'

# Or be more specific
just lfs fetch -p 'docs/recordings/*.cast'

Cross-References

• Related Skills:

  build

  (may need LFS files),

  clean

  (can clean LFS cache)
• Git LFS Docs: https://git-lfs.github.com/
• Configuration:

  .gitattributes

  defines LFS-tracked patterns

When to Use This Skill

Use when the user asks about:

• "lfs", "git lfs", "large file storage"
• "lfs checkout", "fetch lfs files"
• "lfs status", "lfs verify"
• "pointer files", "lfs not working"
• "just lfs" (any lfs command)