Initialize and Configure Git LFS

Initialize LFS on an existing repo or create a repo and initialize LFS from the start.

Initializing LFS on an existing repo

Navigate to your preferences and you should see the LFS tab:

Click to initialize LFS on the repo:

Exit preferences to access two new things: an LFS button in the toolbar and an unstaged change to the .gitattributes file that needs to be committed.

Stage and commit the changes to the .gitattributes file to finish the LFS initialization.

Existing files need to be untracked from Git and re-tracked to count as LFS files. Consider removing the files from the repository (Git will think they have been removed/deleted), commit, then re-add the files and re-commit.

The re-added files should now follow your new LFS tracking pattern.

Initializing LFS on a new repo

When you initialize a new repository, you will have the option to Initialize with LFS.

Configuring LFS

Once LFS is initialized on a repository, add tracking patterns to the .gitattributes file. These tracking patterns will tell LFS which files to monitor in your repository.

Access the .gitattributes file by going to Preferences LFS or by editing the .gitattributes file directly in your text editor.

As another option, add tracking patterns to the repository’s .gitattributes file through the Unstage pane in the right panel.

Select the WIP node, right click the file you wish to be tracked by LFS, and select the desired option under LFS.