gitlab-org--gitlab-foss/doc/user/project/git_attributes.md

---
stage: Create
group: Source Code
info: "To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/ux/technical-writing/#designated-technical-writers"
type: reference
---

# Git Attributes

GitLab supports defining custom [Git attributes](https://git-scm.com/docs/gitattributes) such as what
files to treat as binary, and what language to use for syntax highlighting
diffs.

To define these attributes, create a file called `.gitattributes` in the root
directory of your repository and push it to the default branch of your project.

## Encoding Requirements

The `.gitattributes` file _must_ be encoded in UTF-8 and _must not_ contain a
Byte Order Mark. If a different encoding is used, the file's contents will be
ignored.

## Syntax Highlighting

The `.gitattributes` file can be used to define which language to use when
syntax highlighting files and diffs. See ["Syntax
Highlighting"](highlighting.md) for more information.
Add latest changes from gitlab-org/gitlab@master 2020-07-28 14:09:36 -04:00			`---`
			`stage: Create`
			`group: Source Code`
			`info: "To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/ux/technical-writing/#designated-technical-writers"`
			`type: reference`
			`---`

Added documentation chapter for Git attributes As discussed in https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab_git/issues/28 we'll need to clearly document the need for .gitattributes files being encoded using UTF-8. [ci skip] 2016-10-12 08:51:56 -04:00			`# Git Attributes`

Add latest changes from gitlab-org/gitlab@master 2020-04-21 11:21:10 -04:00			`GitLab supports defining custom [Git attributes](https://git-scm.com/docs/gitattributes) such as what`
Added documentation chapter for Git attributes As discussed in https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab_git/issues/28 we'll need to clearly document the need for .gitattributes files being encoded using UTF-8. [ci skip] 2016-10-12 08:51:56 -04:00			`files to treat as binary, and what language to use for syntax highlighting`
			`diffs.`

			To define these attributes, create a file called `.gitattributes` in the root
			`directory of your repository and push it to the default branch of your project.`

			`## Encoding Requirements`

			The `.gitattributes` file _must_ be encoded in UTF-8 and _must not_ contain a
			`Byte Order Mark. If a different encoding is used, the file's contents will be`
			`ignored.`

			`## Syntax Highlighting`

			The `.gitattributes` file can be used to define which language to use when
			`syntax highlighting files and diffs. See ["Syntax`
			`Highlighting"](highlighting.md) for more information.`