Gitignore Generator
Generate custom .gitignore files for your projects. Select from popular templates for languages, frameworks, IDEs, and operating systems. Combine multiple templates and add custom rules with ease.
Quick Presets
Select Templates
Languages
Frameworks
IDEs
Operating Systems
Other
Add any custom patterns not covered by the templates above
Preview
0 templates • 2 lines
# Created with Gitignore Generator # https://claude.com/claude-code
Recommended Settings
Gitignore Best Practices
- •Commit .gitignore before adding other files to ensure rules apply immediately
- •Use specific patterns (e.g., /build/) instead of global ones (build/) when possible
- •Add comments to document why specific patterns are ignored
- •Review and update .gitignore as your project evolves
- •Keep OS-specific and IDE-specific patterns at the top for clarity
Common Patterns
- •Use * for any characters (e.g., *.log matches all .log files)
- •Use / at the end to match directories only (e.g., node_modules/)
- •Use ! to negate patterns and include specific files
- •Leading / matches files only in the root directory
- •Use ** to match nested directories at any depth
Pro Tips
- •Combine templates to cover all aspects of your tech stack
- •Add .env files to prevent accidental credential commits
- •Include build and dist folders to keep repository clean
- •Add IDE-specific files even if you use version control for settings
Most Popular
Node.js + VSCode + macOS + Environment variables + Logs
How It Works
Select a quick preset or choose individual templates by category
Search for specific templates using the search bar
Combine multiple templates by checking the boxes
Add custom patterns in the custom patterns field
Toggle comments on/off based on your preference
Preview the generated .gitignore in real-time
Copy to clipboard or download as .gitignore file
100% Private
Files never leave your device. All processing happens locally in your browser.
Lightning Fast
Powered by Pure JavaScript for optimal performance on modern browsers.
Secure
No data collection, no tracking, no sign-up required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I combine multiple templates?
Yes! Simply check multiple template boxes. The generator will combine all selected templates into a single .gitignore file, organized by category with proper spacing.
What if I need a pattern not in the templates?
Use the "Custom Patterns" field to add any patterns specific to your project. Add one pattern per line, just like you would in a regular .gitignore file.
What do the different pattern symbols mean?
* matches any characters, / at the end matches directories only, ! negates patterns to include files, leading / matches root only, and ** matches nested directories at any depth.
Should I commit the .gitignore file?
Yes! The .gitignore file itself should be committed to your repository so all team members use the same ignore rules. It's typically one of the first files you commit.
Will this remove files already tracked by Git?
No. Adding patterns to .gitignore only affects untracked files. To stop tracking files already in Git, you need to run 'git rm --cached <file>' first.