Partial Clone and Sparse Checkout

[aseltmann]

I've just taken a look at options for handling large files with git/magit. Of course, git-annex (with magit-annex) or git-lfs (with magit-lfs) come to mind. Then I read that the main git project introduced Partial Clone (1) at some point, which e.g. Gitlab recommends now for large files (2,3).

It seems for magit to be able to support these workflows, some keybindings and menu options would have to be added, e.g. for cloning the option to support clone --filter or the command git sparse-checkout.

Is there any plan to support this?

[kyleam]

I don't recall seeing either the partial clone or sparse-checkout features mentioned on the tracker yet, but I'd say those are both features that should eventually be supported, even if hidden away by default.

They've been on my radar. I think it'd probably be fine to add --filter to clone now. For sparse-checkout, my impression is that it's a bit of a moving target right now in terms of the interface, so it might make sense to see how things settle before trying anything on Magit's end.

[tarsius]

I've just skimmed over https://github.blog/2020-01-17-bring-your-monorepo-down-to-size-with-sparse-checkout/ and https://github.blog/2020-12-21-get-up-to-speed-with-partial-clone-and-shallow-clone/. Good stuff. But I think I have to remove the good first issue label. 😁

[kyleam]

@tarsius I plan to take a look at this within the next few months (but of course feel free to wave me off :>).

[tarsius]

I've just assigned four issues to myself too. I hope we can address all remaining reported bugs within the next 1-2 months. I am not particularly stoked dealing with the other two remaining bugs and would very much appreciate it if you could look into those. No obligation, just mentioning it.