How to Remove Blobs with Git Filter-Repo

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How to Remove Blobs with Git Filter-Repo
How to Remove Blobs with Git Filter-Repo
Mia Chevalier
Monday, May 20, 2024 at 8:45:17 PM

Understanding Blob Stripping in Git

Keeping big files under control with Git can be difficult, particularly if they are not required in the working copy. These big files can be eliminated from the history of your repository with the help of programs like BFG and Git Filter-Repo. It can be challenging to get the same outcomes with Git Filter-Repo as with BFG, though.

This article explains how to use Git Filter-Repo to mimic the BFG command --strip-blobs-bigger-than. We'll cover frequent problems and offer a detailed how-to so you can properly clean up your repository without inadvertently erasing files that are still in use.

Command Description
from git import Repo Imports the Repo class from the GitPython library in order to communicate with the Git repository.
git_filter_repo import RepoFilter Filters repository blobs by importing the RepoFilter class from git-filter-repo.
repo = Repo(repo_path) Sets a Repo object's initial value to the provided repository path.
RepoFilter(repo).filter_blobs(filter_large_blobs) Applies a unique filter function to the repository in order to eliminate big blobs.
git rev-list --objects --all Lists every object—including blobs, trees, and commits—in the repository.
git cat-file --batch-check Provide comprehensive details about items, such as their size.
xargs -n 1 git filter-repo --strip-blobs-bigger-than $SIZE_LIMIT Applies the git filter-repo command using xargs to every found big blob.

How the Scripts Provided Work

The GitPython library is used by the Python script to communicate with the Git repository. Using from git import Repo and repo = Repo(repo_path), the repository is started and pointed to the given repository location. Next, a filter function filter_large_blobs(blob) is defined by the script to detect blobs that are larger than 10MB. Using RepoFilter(repo).filter_blobs(filter_large_blobs), this filter makes sure that blobs bigger than the size restriction are deleted from the history of the repository.

The shell script uses shell facilities and Git commands to accomplish a similar task. Using cd $REPO_PATH, it navigates to the repository directory, then git rev-list --objects --all lists every object. Every object's size is verified using git cat-file --batch-check. Using xargs, objects that exceed the designated size limit are screened and processed so that each huge blob is subjected to git filter-repo --strip-blobs-bigger-than $SIZE_LIMIT. huge blobs are successfully removed from the repository using this technique, guaranteeing a clear history free of superfluous huge files.

Using Size to Filter Git Blobs with Python

A Python script designed to filter huge blobs.

# Import necessary modules
import os
from git import Repo
from git_filter_repo import RepoFilter

# Define the repository path and size limit
repo_path = 'path/to/your/repo'
size_limit = 10 * 1024 * 1024  # 10 MB

# Initialize the repository
repo = Repo(repo_path)

# Define a filter function to remove large blobs
def filter_large_blobs(blob):
    return blob.size > size_limit

# Apply the filter to the repository
RepoFilter(repo).filter_blobs(filter_large_blobs)

Shell Script for Recognizing and Eliminating Huge Git Blobs

Using Git shell scripting for blob management

#!/bin/bash

# Define repository path and size limit
REPO_PATH="path/to/your/repo"
SIZE_LIMIT=10485760  # 10 MB

# Navigate to the repository
cd $REPO_PATH

# List blobs larger than the size limit
git rev-list --objects --all |
git cat-file --batch-check='%(objectname) %(objecttype) %(objectsize) %(rest)' |
awk '$3 >= $SIZE_LIMIT {print $1}' |
xargs -n 1 git filter-repo --strip-blobs-bigger-than $SIZE_LIMIT

echo "Large blobs removed from the repository"

Examining More Complex Git Filter-Repo Choices

There are more possibilities to tailor your repository cleanup, even though git filter-repo --strip-blobs-bigger-than works well for deleting huge files. For example, to restrict the action to particular files or directories, use --path. This enables you to restrict the blob removal process to certain regions inside your repository. A further helpful option is --invert-paths, which gives you additional control over which files stay unaltered by excluding specific paths from the operation.

To preview the changes before applying them, you can also combine --strip-blobs-bigger-than with --analyze. This provides a comprehensive report of what will be erased, which helps prevent accidental removals. By making use of these sophisticated alternatives, you may improve the accuracy and adaptability of your repository maintenance duties, guaranteeing a more organized and effective project history.

Common Questions Regarding Git Filter-Repo

  1. What does git filter-repo --strip-blobs-bigger-than do?
  2. Blobs bigger than the designated size are deleted from the repository history.
  3. How does --invert-paths work?
  4. It prevents the filter from processing certain pathways.
  5. I want to see the changes before I apply them, right?
  6. Yes, a thorough summary of the changes can be obtained by utilizing --analyze.
  7. How can I make particular files or directories my target?
  8. You can restrict operations to particular pathways by using the --path option.
  9. What does Python's RepoFilter class serve as?
  10. It permits the repository to be subjected to customized filters.
  11. Is it possible to reverse the modifications done by git filter-repo?
  12. Changes are difficult to undo once they are implemented. Make sure you always backup your repository first.
  13. What does git rev-list --objects --all do?
  14. It contains a list of every item in the repository, including commits, trees, and blobs.
  15. How come xargs and git filter-repo go together?
  16. xargs facilitates the application of commands to a list of objects, like big blobs that are marked for eradication.

Conclusions Regarding Git Blob Management

Optimizing performance and storage in a Git repository requires efficient management of huge files. This procedure can be made more efficient by using tools like BFG and Git Filter-Repo, however each has its own set of commands and techniques. You can make sure that your repository stays organized and effective by making use of advanced options and learning the subtleties of each tool. To prevent data loss, always remember to backup your repository before making any big changes. Understanding these resources and putting them to use strategically will improve your version control procedures greatly.