# NAME

git-annex unlock - unlock files for modification

# SYNOPSIS

git annex unlock `[path ...]`

# DESCRIPTION

Normally, the content of annexed files is protected from being changed.
Unlocking an annexed file allows it to be modified. This replaces the
symlink for each specified file with a copy of the file's content.
You can then modify it and `git annex add` (or `git commit`) to save your
changes.

In repositories with annex.version 5 or earlier, unlocking a file is local
to the repository, and is temporary. With version 6, unlocking a file
changes how it is stored in the git repository (from a symlink to a pointer
file), so you can commit it like any other change. Also in version 6, you
can use `git add` to add a fie to the annex in unlocked form. This allows
workflows where a file starts out unlocked, is modified as necessary, and
is locked once it reaches its final version.

# OPTIONS

* file matching options
 
  The [[git-annex-matching-options]](1)
  can be used to specify files to unlock.

# SEE ALSO

[[git-annex]](1)

[[git-annex-edit]](1)

[[git-annex-add]](1)

[[git-annex-lock]](1)

# AUTHOR

Joey Hess <id@joeyh.name>

Warning: Automatically converted into a man page by mdwn2man. Edit with care.