git-annex/doc/todo/hidden_files.mdwn

Add a `git annex hide $file` that behaves like drop, checking counter info
and updating location log to say the current repo no longer has a file --
but does not actually remove the content.

Then `git annex unused` can be used to clean it up later. And in the
meantime, it's still locally accessible. This can be useful if you're
planning to need to free up space later, but want to hold onto the content
for a while. Possibly you'll be disconnected later, so it's easier to push
out that intent now.

--

TODO:

* Make 100% sure this is safe. Drop, etc should never check content files
  are present on other repos if the location log doesn't say the repo
  has the content.

* What will `git annex get` do if it's asked to get a file that has been
  hidden?

> Unless I am missing something: Make sure the data is correct (for SHA1 or other tracking) and restore locally. If that's not the case, delete and restore from remote. -- RichiH

----

Is 'unused' a good name? 'clean' and 'autoclean' would make more sense, imo. 'clean' deletes everything, whereas an optional 'autoclean' could try to be smart based on disk usage and/or SHA1, etc. -- RichiH

> Nah, `git annex unused/dropunused` already exist.  --[[Joey]] 

>> OK, in that case forget what I said. No idea about your internal policy, but feel free to delete this part of the page, then. -- RichiH