{% data variables.large_files.product_name_short %} handles large files by storing references to the file in the repository, but not the actual file itself. To work around Git's architecture, {% data variables.large_files.product_name_short %} creates a pointer file which acts as a reference to the actual file (which is stored somewhere else). {% data variables.product.github %} manages this pointer file in your repository. When you clone the repository down, {% data variables.product.github %} uses the pointer file as a map to go and find the large file for you.

{% ifversion fpt or ghec %} Different maximum size limits for {% data variables.large_files.product_name_short %} apply depending on your {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %} plan.

{% else %} Using {% data variables.large_files.product_name_short %}, you can store files up to 5 GB in your repository. {% endif %}

{% data reusables.repositories.git-lfs %}

You can also use {% data variables.large_files.product_name_short %} with {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %}. For more information about cloning Git LFS repositories in {% data variables.product.prodname_desktop %}, see AUTOTITLE.

{% data reusables.large_files.can-include-lfs-objects-archives %}

{% data variables.large_files.product_name_short %}'s pointer file looks like this:

version {% data variables.large_files.version_name %}
oid sha256:4cac19622fc3ada9c0fdeadb33f88f367b541f38b89102a3f1261ac81fd5bcb5
size 84977953

It tracks the version of {% data variables.large_files.product_name_short %} you're using, followed by a unique identifier for the file (oid). It also stores the size of the final file.

• AUTOTITLE {% ifversion fpt or ghec %}
• AUTOTITLE {% endif %}