Due to popular demand, git-annex can now be used with bare repositories.

So, for example, you can stash a file away in the origin: git annex move mybigfile --to origin

Of course, for that to work, the bare repository has to be on a system with git-annex-shell installed. If "origin" is on GitWeb, you still can't use git-annex to store stuff there.

Known to work ok:

• git annex move --to and --from, when pointed at a bare repository.
• git annex copy ditto.
• git annex drop can check that a bare repository has a copy of data that is being dropped.
• git annex get can transfer data from a bare repository.
• Most other stuff (ie, init, describe, trust, etc.)

There are a few caveats to keep in mind when using bare repositories:

• A few subcommands, like unused cannot be run in a bare repository. Those subcommands will refuse to do anything.