GIT-PACK-REFS(1)		  Git Manual		      GIT-PACK-REFS(1)

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": Loose references are packed into the packed-refs file
	       based on the ratio of loose references to the size of the
	       packed-refs file. The bigger the packed-refs file, the more
	       loose references need to exist before we repack.

	   •   "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

Git 2.51.0			  2025-08-17		      GIT-PACK-REFS(1)