git-upload-archive

git upload-archive

The `git-upload-archive` command is a server-side helper command used by `git fetch-pack` and `git archive`. It receives a request over the Git protocol (usually via SSH) to create and send an archive of a Git repository's contents. This command is crucial for retrieving archive files from remote Git repositories. It efficiently packages the archive based on parameters specified by the client (e.g., specific commits, branches, or tags) and sends it back, enabling remote access to repository snapshots without requiring a full repository clone.

The client specifies the archive format and options; `git-upload-archive` only handles the packaging and transmission, not the format choice or the actual archiving process. It uses the `git archive` command internally to create the archive on the server side before sending it over the network to the git client.

This command is usually invoked by `git fetch-pack` or `git archive` on the client side and is not intended for direct user interaction on the server.

This command is typically invoked automatically by Git client tools when requesting an archive from a remote repository. Users do not usually need to run it directly.

When used over SSH, `git-upload-archive` relies on SSH's authentication mechanisms to ensure secure transfer of the archive. Ensure your SSH server is properly configured for security.

The `git-upload-archive` command was developed as part of the core Git suite to provide a secure and efficient way to transfer archives from remote Git repositories. Its design aimed to minimize the server-side load by limiting its functionality to packaging and transferring, relying on `git archive` for the actual archive creation. Its usage is tightly bound to the `git fetch-pack` command for fetching archives and, less frequently, with interactive `git archive` commands. Over time, improvements have focused on security and efficiency of the network transfer.

git fetch-pack(1), git archive(1)