How to Upload Large Files to GitHub?

GitHub is an essential platform for developers to manage and share their projects. However, uploading large files to GitHub can be challenging due to its default limitations. GitHub imposes a file size limit of 100 MB per file and a repository size recommendation of 1 GB for efficient performance. When dealing with large files, you need to adopt specialized tools and workflows.

This blog post explains how to handle and upload large files to GitHub effectively.

1. Understanding GitHub File Size Limits

Before uploading large files, it’s crucial to understand GitHub’s constraints:

• File Upload Limit: 100 MB (via Git push).
• Repository Size Recommendation: 1 GB (to maintain performance).
• GitHub Large File Storage (LFS): A solution for handling files larger than 100 MB.

2. Solutions for Uploading Large Files

Here are the recommended methods to upload large files to GitHub:

A. Using GitHub Large File Storage (LFS)

GitHub LFS is designed for versioning large files such as videos, datasets, and graphics. It replaces large files in your repository with lightweight references, storing the actual files on a separate server.

Steps to Use GitHub LFS

1. Install Git LFS
   Download and install Git LFS on your system: git lfs install
2. Track Large Files
   Specify the files you want Git LFS to manage: git lfs track "*.file_extension" Example:
   To track .mp4 files: git lfs track "*.mp4"
3. Add Changes to .gitattributes
   When you track files, Git LFS creates a .gitattributes file to specify which file types are managed. Stage this file: git add .gitattributes
4. Commit and Push Files
   Add, commit, and push your large files like regular files: git add <large_file> git commit -m "Add large file" git push origin main

GitHub LFS ensures that your repository remains lightweight while storing large files in a dedicated storage system.

B. Splitting Files into Smaller Parts

If your files are slightly larger than 100 MB, you can split them into smaller chunks and upload them.

Steps to Split and Upload Large Files

1. Split the File
   Use a file-splitting tool like split (Linux/macOS) or a similar application. split -b 50m largefile.zip part_ This creates chunks named part_aa, part_ab, etc., each 50 MB in size.
2. Add Files to Repository
   Add the smaller parts to your repository: git add part_* git commit -m "Add split files" git push origin main
3. Reassemble the File After Cloning
   When cloning the repository, combine the parts: cat part_* > originalfile.zip

C. Uploading Files Directly to Releases

For files larger than 100 MB that don’t need versioning, GitHub Releases provides a straightforward way to share large files.

Steps to Use GitHub Releases

1. Go to the Repository
   Navigate to your GitHub repository and click on the Releases tab.
2. Create a New Release
   Click Draft a new release, fill in the necessary details (version, title, description), and attach your large file.
3. Publish the Release
   Once published, your large file will be available as a downloadable asset.

D. Using External Storage Services

If your files exceed GitHub LFS limits or if you prefer to keep them external, consider hosting them on cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or AWS. You can then link these files in your repository.

Steps to Use External Storage

1. Upload the file to a cloud service.
2. Copy the file’s shareable link.
3. Add the link to your repository’s README file for easy access.

3. Best Practices for Managing Large Files in GitHub

1. Use .gitignore for Exclusions
   Prevent unnecessary large files from being tracked: echo "largefile.*" >> .gitignore
2. Optimize Files
   Compress large files using tools like zip or gzip before uploading.
3. Leverage GitHub LFS
   Always use GitHub LFS for files larger than 50 MB to maintain repository performance.
4. Archive Old Files
   If older versions of large files aren’t required, archive or delete them from the repository history to save space.
5. Monitor Repository Size
   Regularly check the size of your repository using: git count-objects -vH

Conclusion

Uploading large files to GitHub requires careful planning and appropriate tools. Whether using GitHub LFS, splitting files, or leveraging Releases, each method caters to different scenarios. By following these strategies and best practices, you can efficiently manage and share large files without compromising repository performance.