.gitignore Builder

Select project types to generate a combined .gitignore. Add custom rules at the bottom.

Last reviewed: April 2026

Reviewed by Shannon Patterson, software engineer · last updated April 2026

New to this tool? Click here for instructions

Project Types

Custom Rules

Generated .gitignore

Select project types on the left to generate your .gitignore.

How to Use the .gitignore Builder

The .gitignore Builder is a tool that helps you generate a .gitignore file for your project type. This file tells Git which files and directories to exclude from version control, preventing large, auto-generated, or sensitive files from being accidentally committed to your repository. To use the .gitignore Builder, follow these steps:

1. Select your project types - check every language or framework used in your project. You can select multiple types and patterns will be combined without duplicates.

2. Add custom rules - paste any extra patterns in the custom rules textarea. One pattern per line.

3. Copy or download - click Copy to copy to clipboard, or Download to save as a ready-to-use .gitignore file.

4. Place in your repo root - drop the file in the root of your Git repository (the same folder as your .git directory).

When to Use the .gitignore Builder

The .gitignore Builder is ideal for developers who want to ensure that their Git repositories are clean and organized. It helps prevent the accidental commit of unnecessary files, such as build artifacts, logs, and environment-specific files. By using the .gitignore Builder, you can save time and avoid potential issues related to file version control.

How It Works

The .gitignore Builder works by allowing you to select the project types you are working on. Each project type has specific patterns that are added to the .gitignore file. For example, if you select a Node.js project, the builder will add the pattern `node_modules/` to the file. You can also add custom rules to the file to exclude additional patterns. Once you have selected your project types and added any custom rules, the builder will generate a combined .gitignore file. You can then copy or download the file and place it in the root of your Git repository.

Tips, Edge Cases, or Limitations

When using the .gitignore Builder, it's important to ensure that you are excluding all unnecessary files and directories. If you accidentally exclude a file that is needed for your project, you may need to manually add it to the .gitignore file. The .gitignore Builder does not support all file types. For example, it may not be able to exclude certain types of files that are specific to a particular development environment or tool. In these cases, you may need to manually add the patterns to the .gitignore file.

Frequently Asked Questions

A .gitignore file is a plain text file that tells Git which files and directories to exclude from version control.

To add a .gitignore to an existing project, you can use the .gitignore Builder to generate a file and then place it in the root of your Git repository. Alternatively, you can manually create a .gitignore file and add the necessary patterns.

Yes, you can have multiple .gitignore files in your project. However, it's generally recommended to use a single .gitignore file to avoid conflicts and ensure consistency.

If the `node_modules/` directory is not being ignored, it may be because it is not included in the .gitignore file. Ensure that the pattern `node_modules/` is added to your .gitignore file.

The `!` symbol is used for negation, meaning that it excludes files that match the pattern following it. The `#` symbol is used for comments, allowing you to add

Quick reference

.gitignore Builder Quick Reference
Parameter	Common Values	Comparison	Example
ignore_pattern	*.log, node_modules/	Specific file types vs directory paths	ignore_pattern: *.log
file_type	files, directories	General category vs specific patterns	file_type: directories
directory_pattern	build/, /temp/	Path specificity vs recursive flag	directory_pattern: /temp/
recursive	true, false	Applies to subdirectories vs single files	recursive: true
exclude_pattern	!.gitignore, /public/	Excludes vs includes	exclude_pattern: /public/
case_sensitive	yes, no	Matching behavior	case_sensitive: no

Example walk-through

Worked example: step-by-step

Step 1. Navigate to the .gitignore Builder webpage and select the project type (e.g., "Python" for a Python project).

Step 2. Click "Add Custom Pattern" to include specific files or directories (e.g., `venv/`, `logs/`).

Step 3. Enable advanced options like "Ignore .env files" or "Exclude node_modules" based on your project needs.

Step 4. Click "Generate .gitignore" to see the formatted output combining default templates and your custom rules.

Step 5. Copy the generated content and save it as `.gitignore` in your project root directory.

Step 6. Commit the file to your repository to ensure version control ignores specified files.

Sample input:
Project Type: Python
Custom Patterns: venv/, logs/
Advanced Options: Ignore .env files ✅

Expected output:
# Python environment
venv/
logs/

# Environment variables
.env