# git annex > Manage files with Git, without checking their contents in. > When a file is annexed, its content is moved into a key-value store, and a symlink is made that points to the content. > More information: . - Initialize a repo with Git annex: `git annex init` - Add a file: `git annex add {{path/to/file_or_directory}}` - Show the current status of a file or directory: `git annex status {{path/to/file_or_directory}}` - Synchronize a local repository with a remote: `git annex {{remote}}` - Get a file or directory: `git annex get {{path/to/file_or_directory}}` - Display help: `git annex help`