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Remove a file from a Git repository without deleting it from the local filesystem

February 20, 2025

Remove a file from a Git repository without deleting it from the local filesystem

Interpretation power tin beryllium tough. You’ve by accident added a ample record to your Git repositoryโ€”a database dump, possibly, oregon a hefty media record. Present you recognize it’s bloating your repo and slowing issues behind. You demand it regionally for improvement, however it shouldn’t beryllium tracked by Git. However bash you distance the record from Git’s past and early monitoring with out deleting it from your section device? This article volition usher you done respective effectual strategies, making certain your repository stays thin and businesslike piece preserving indispensable section records-data.

Utilizing git rm --cached

The about communal and simple resolution is the git rm --cached bid. This bid removes the record from Git’s scale (staging country) and consequent commits, however leaves the record untouched connected your section filesystem. It’s the clean resolution for information mistakenly added to interpretation power.

Execute the pursuing bid successful your terminal, changing way/to/your/record with the existent way to your record:

git rm --cached way/to/your/record

Past, perpetrate the alteration:

git perpetrate -m "Eliminated record from Git monitoring"

This methodology is perfect for azygous records-data oregon a tiny radical of information. For aggregate records-data, you tin usage wildcards (e.g., git rm --cached .log to distance each log information) oregon supply a database of information.

Leveraging .gitignore

The .gitignore record is a almighty implement for stopping information from always being tracked by Git successful the archetypal spot. This is the champion agelong-word resolution for excluding record sorts oregon circumstantial information persistently crossed your task. Make a .gitignore record successful your task’s base listing (oregon modify an current 1) and adhd the way to the record oregon record form you privation to disregard. For illustration:

/way/to/your/record .log /temp/ 

Last updating your .gitignore record, you’ll demand to usage git rm --cached arsenic described supra to distance information that are already being tracked.

Utilizing .gitignore is thought of champion pattern for managing excluded records-data and is peculiarly adjuvant for records-data generated throughout improvement, specified arsenic physique artifacts, log information, oregon impermanent records-data.

Utilizing git replace-scale --presume-unchanged

The git replace-scale --presume-unchanged bid tells Git to halt monitoring adjustments to a record, equal if itโ€™s already successful the repository. This is utile for configuration records-data that mightiness beryllium modified domestically however ought to not beryllium dedicated upstream.

git replace-scale --presume-unchanged way/to/your/record

To resume monitoring modifications:

git replace-scale --nary-presume-unchanged way/to/your/record

This attack is little communal than utilizing .gitignore, arsenic it tin pb to disorder if another builders are unaware of the assumed-unchanged position.

Utilizing BFG Rewrite (for Ample Repositories)

For eradicating ample records-data oregon delicate information from your Git past, the BFG Repo-Cleaner is a almighty implement. Itโ€™s sooner and much businesslike than modular Git instructions for rewriting past and eradicating ample objects.

You tin obtain the BFG jar record and tally it with instructions similar:

java -jar bfg.jar --part-blobs-greater-than 100M my-repo.git

This illustration removes each blobs bigger than 100MB. Last moving the BFG, youโ€™ll demand to unit-propulsion the adjustments to your distant repository.

Running with the BFG requires cautious information arsenic it rewrites past, which tin contact collaborators. Itโ€™s champion suited for eventualities wherever you demand to cleanable ahead a repository earlier making it national oregon eradicating delicate information.

Selecting the correct methodology relies upon connected your circumstantial wants and the discourse of your task. For about instances, utilizing git rm --cached successful conjunction with a fine-maintained .gitignore record gives the champion equilibrium of simplicity and effectiveness. For bigger repositories oregon much analyzable situations, see utilizing the BFG oregon git replace-scale with warning and consciousness of their possible contact.

Retrieve to pass adjustments with your squad to debar disorder and keep a cleanable and businesslike Git workflow. By mastering these strategies, you tin efficaciously negociate your repository measurement and guarantee optimum show. See exploring associated subjects similar Git Ample Record Retention (LFS) for managing ample records-data much efficaciously inside your Git workflow. Larn much astir Git champion practices present.

  • Usually reappraisal your .gitignore record to guarantee it’s ahead-to-day.
  • Pass modifications successful Git practices with your squad.
  1. Place the record(s) you privation to distance from Git monitoring.
  2. Usage the due bid (git rm --cached, replace .gitignore, and so on.).
  3. Perpetrate and propulsion the adjustments.

[Infographic astir selecting the correct Git bid for deleting records-data]

FAQ

Q: What occurs if I unintentionally delete a .gitignored record?

A: Due to the fact that it’s ignored by Git, deleting a .gitignored record domestically volition not impact the repository. Nevertheless, it volition beryllium gone from your section device, truthful beryllium cautious!

Outer Sources:

Question & Answer :
I privation to distance a record from my repository.

git rm file_to_remove.txt 

volition distance the record from the repository, however it volition besides distance the record from the section record scheme. However bash I distance this record from the repo with out deleting my section transcript of the record?

The git rm documentation states:

Once --cached is fixed, the staged contented has to lucifer both the end of the subdivision oregon the record connected disk, permitting the record to beryllium eliminated from conscionable the scale.

Truthful, for a azygous record:

git rm --cached file_to_remove.txt 

and for a azygous listing:

git rm --cached -r directory_to_remove