# structure/long-files

> Checks the code line count of each file against the limit for its language.

Checks the code line count of each file against the limit for its language.

Part of the [`structure`](/reference/configurations/structure/) configuration, at the `all` [level](/start/concepts/#levels). It runs at the `commit` [stage](/start/concepts/#stage), once per scope. gspot runs this check itself.

## Why

A long file hides independent responsibilities from the reader.

## What to do

Split the file by responsibility, or raise `limits.<language>.file_lines` with a reason.

## Example

A Python file over its line limit reports the count. Split it by responsibility.

## Turn it off

Turn it off for some files, with a reason:

```shell
gspot ignore structure/long-files --paths "<glob>" --reason "<why>"
```