How to Set Up Git & GitHub Desktop for Unreal Engine 5 LFS Guide

Set up Git & GitHub Desktop with LFS for Unreal Engine 5. Learn clean version control with .gitignore, .gitattributes, commits, and asset management.

This is Rambod, and today we’ll set up professional version control for Unreal Engine 5 projects using Git + GitHub Desktop — including Git LFS (Large File Storage) to handle your big assets like textures, audio, and animations.

By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to:
✅ Initialize a new Unreal project with GitHub Desktop
✅ Use Unreal’s .gitignore template for clean repos
✅ Configure .gitattributes for LFS-managed asset folders
✅ Commit, push, and discard changes safely
✅ Monitor LFS storage usage on GitHub

1) Why Use Git for Unreal Engine?

• Version Control → track changes, rollback mistakes.
• Backup → sync your project to the cloud.
• Collaboration → multiple team members can work together.

GitHub Desktop simplifies the workflow — no complex CLI commands needed.

2) Requirements

• A GitHub account (free).
• GitHub Desktop app (download at desktop.github.com).
• An Unreal Engine 5 project (Blueprint or C++ both work).

3) Creating a Project & Adding It to GitHub Desktop

1. Create a new Unreal Engine Project.
   • Example: First-Person Blueprint Template.
2. Open GitHub Desktop → File > Add Local Repository.
3. Select your project folder → Add Repository.
   • You’ll see: “This directory does not appear to be a Git repository.”
   • That’s normal. Click Create a Repository Here.

4) Configuring the Repository

On the “Create New Repository” screen:

• Name your project clearly.
• Git Ignore = Unreal Engine (important!)
  • This prevents Intermediate, Derived Data Cache, and Build folders from bloating your repo.

Click Create Repository, then Publish Repository to sync with GitHub.
Your project now lives on your GitHub profile.

5) When to Use Git LFS

• Regular Git works fine if your repo is <500 MB.
• But Unreal projects quickly exceed that due to binary assets.
• That’s where Git LFS comes in — optimized storage for big files.

6) Setting Up .gitattributes for LFS

1. In your project root (next to .gitignore), create a file named .gitattributes.
2. Add these lines:

# Auto detect text files and perform LF normalization
* text=auto

# Example folder using LFS
Content/FPWeapon/** filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text

👉 Replace FPWeapon with the actual folder(s) where you want large assets tracked.

• First line → ensures consistent line endings.
• Second block → forces assets in that folder into LFS.

Save the file.

7) Committing and Pushing

Back in GitHub Desktop:

• You’ll see .gitattributes as a new change.
• Commit with a message (e.g., “Add LFS support for FPWeapon assets”).
• Click Push Origin to sync with GitHub.

✅ LFS is now active. Large assets in that folder are handled automatically.

8) Checking LFS Storage

1. On GitHub → Profile → Settings > Billing & Plans.

2. Scroll down to Git LFS Data.

   • Shows storage & bandwidth usage.

3. If needed, click Add More Data to purchase extra.

By default, GitHub gives you some free LFS quota.

9) Demonstration: Adding Assets

• In Unreal → create a new Blueprint or asset.
• Save it inside your LFS folder.
• In GitHub Desktop → the asset shows as a binary file.

Options:

• Commit & Push → safely store it in GitHub with LFS.
• Right-click > Discard Changes → rollback if you added something by mistake.

10) Best Practices for Unreal + Git

• Always use Unreal’s .gitignore template.
• Track binary files with LFS, not small code/text.
• Commit regularly → avoid huge, messy changes.
• Monitor LFS usage if your repo grows.

Subtitle Expansion (Full Tutorial Flow)

“Hi, this is Rambod. Git helps manage changes, collaborate, and back up your UE5 projects. Start with a new Unreal project, open GitHub Desktop, and add it as a local repo. You’ll see a warning because it’s not yet a repo — create one and select Unreal Engine .gitignore. This keeps temp files out of version control. Publish to GitHub, and your project is synced. For small projects, normal Git is enough. But large assets like textures or animations require Git LFS. To enable it, create .gitattributes next to .gitignore. Add * text=auto for LF normalization, then add LFS rules for your asset folders, e.g. Content/FPWeapon/** filter=lfs diff=lfs merge=lfs -text. Back in GitHub Desktop, commit and push. On GitHub’s settings page, check your LFS storage and upgrade if needed. Demo: adding a new Blueprint shows it as a binary file. Commit and push it, or discard changes if added by mistake. Always use .gitignore + LFS, commit often, and monitor storage. With this setup, you’ll never lose work, your repo stays clean, and your Unreal projects are production-ready.”

Wrap-Up

We just built a professional Git workflow for Unreal Engine 5:

• GitHub Desktop for easy version control
• .gitignore to keep repos clean
• .gitattributes with Git LFS for big assets
• Commit, push, rollback workflows
• Storage monitoring for long-term project health

👉 Full tutorial: YouTube Link 👉 GitHub Desktop: desktop.github.com 👉 Git LFS Docs: git-lfs.github.com 👉 Subscribe for more Unreal workflow guides: Rambod Dev