How to perform git gc on a remote repository after BFG large files removal?

[Yekutiel Katz]

Hi,
I cleaned my local repository with BFG tool.
Size was reduced locally. git push --force was performed.
No change in the size of the remote repository was observed.
If I understand correctly a garbage cleanup (git gc) is needed on the remote repository.
Am I correct?

If so, how should it be performed?

Thanks for your assistance,
Kuti.

[Caroline R · Accepted solution]

Hi, @Yekutiel Katz! Welcome to the community! 

To give you some context around the git GC process, Bitbucket triggers a garbage collection on the repository after each push, however aggressive GC is triggered by Git once the unreachable/dangling objects become older than 30 days.

For this reason, there is no need for us to trigger a manual GC for your repository. However, we are happy to run it for you if you feel there is a need. 

I checked all the repositories you have access to and found just one that was over 3 GB, so I ran the GC against this repo. However, the size didn’t change. Is this the repo you would like us to run the GC? 

Besides that, I would like to share with you that we already have a feature request to allow users to mark repositories for git GC, as you can check here:

• https://jira.atlassian.com/browse/BCLOUD-11593

Please consider adding yourself as a watcher to receive the updates as we make progress with this. If you are not familiar with our Feature Request Policy, you can read more about it here.

Feel free to share any additional information regarding this case.

Kind regards,
Caroline

[Yekutiel Katz]

Hi  Caroline

Thanks for your answer. 

The repo that needs GS is "simfinisegment". I assume that is the one you found. 

I have pushed the changes again with "git push --force --all"

Could you please try running GC against this repo again.

Thanks :)

Kuti

[Caroline R]

Hi, Kuti! 

Thanks for getting back to me! I ran the GC again and managed to reduce the repo size from 3.9 GB to 1.6 GB :) 

Please let me know if you have any questions. 

Kind regards,
Caroline

[Yekutiel Katz]

Hi  Caroline!

That's awesome.

Thank you very much!

Kuti.

[Caroline R]

You are welcome! I'm glad to help! :) 

Kind regards,

Caroline

[Aron Gombas _Midori_]

Well, the FAQ says Bitbucket will run GS automatically but it doesn't explain precisely when.

"Bitbucket runs this operation on its hosted repositories automatically on a regular basis based on a variety of triggers."

Source: https://support.atlassian.com/bitbucket-cloud/docs/do-i-need-to-run-git-gc-housekeeping-on-my-repo/

There is a "provide feedback" link, you could try to get help how to enforce the GC remotely?