# Git LFS "Error downloading object ... (missing)" in CI

> Fix Git LFS "Error downloading object: ... (missing)" in CI - the pointer references an object the LFS server does not have, so the fetch has nothing to download.

Source: https://latchkey.dev/learn/command-reference/git-lfs-error-downloading-object-missing-in-ci  
Updated: 2026-06-30

The commit contains a valid LFS pointer, but the object it references was never uploaded to the server, so the download returns "missing". The pointer and the stored object are out of sync.

## Using this in CI

CI checkouts are shallow and detached by default, which changes the answer this command gives you. Commands that read history, branch names, or tags need the checkout configured for it.

```.github/workflows/ci.yml
- uses: actions/checkout@v4
  with:
    fetch-depth: 0   # history, tags, and git describe all need this

- run: |
    git rev-parse --is-shallow-repository   # expect false
    git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD          # prints HEAD when detached
```

> `git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD` returns the literal string `HEAD` on a detached checkout rather than a branch name. On GitHub Actions read `github.ref_name` instead; the git command cannot know what it was checked out for.

## FAQ

### What causes Git LFS "Error downloading object ... (missing)" in CI?

There are 2 common causes: the object was never pushed to the remote and the object was pruned or lives in a different remote. A commit landed with the pointer but git lfs push never uploaded the content, for example when a push used --no-verify or LFS was misconfigured at commit time.

### How do I fix Git LFS "Error downloading object ... (missing)" in CI?

There are 2 fixes depending on which cause you have: push the missing objects from a machine that has them and restore or re-migrate the source content. Work through them in order, since the first is the most common.

### What does Git LFS "Error downloading object ... (missing)" in CI actually mean?

git lfs pull or checkout prints "Error downloading object: path (oid): Object does not exist on the server" or "(missing)" and fails to fetch that object.

### How do I stop Git LFS "Error downloading object ... (missing)" in CI happening again?

Never push with --no-verify, which can skip the LFS upload. The prevention section lists 3 changes that keep it from recurring.

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Latchkey runs CI/CD that repairs its own failures. Agent entry points: https://latchkey.dev/agent.txt, https://latchkey.dev/openapi.json, https://latchkey.dev/llms.txt