What is a .gitignore file?

A .gitignore file tells Git which files and folders to ignore and not track. This keeps dependencies (node_modules), build outputs (dist, build), IDE settings, and sensitive files (.env) out of version control.

Where do I put the .gitignore file?

Place it in your project's root directory (same level as .git folder). Git will apply these rules to all subdirectories. The file must be named exactly '.gitignore' with the leading dot.

Can I have multiple .gitignore files?

Yes, you can have .gitignore files in subdirectories. Rules in subdirectory files only apply to that directory and below. This is useful for monorepos with different tech stacks.

How do I ignore files already tracked by Git?

Adding a file to .gitignore won't untrack it if Git already tracks it. First run 'git rm --cached filename' to untrack, then add to .gitignore. For directories: 'git rm -r --cached dirname/'.

What's the difference between * and ** in gitignore?

A single asterisk (*) matches anything except slashes. Double asterisk (**) matches directories at any level. Example: '**/*.log' ignores all .log files anywhere; 'logs/*.log' only ignores logs in the logs/ folder.

How do I ignore everything except specific files?

Use negation with !. Example: First ignore all (/*), then exclude specific files (!.gitignore, !README.md, !src/). Negation only works for files not already excluded by parent patterns.

Should I commit .gitignore to the repository?

Yes, always commit .gitignore so all team members use the same ignore rules. For personal ignores (IDE settings only you use), add them to .git/info/exclude instead.

Why is my .gitignore not working?

Common issues: File is already tracked (see above), wrong file name (must have leading dot), wrong location (must be in repo root or correct subdirectory), or caching issue (try 'git rm -r --cached . && git add .').

What files should always be in .gitignore?

Always ignore: .env files (secrets), node_modules/vendor (dependencies), build/dist (outputs), .DS_Store (macOS), Thumbs.db (Windows), IDE folders (.idea, .vscode with settings), and log files.

Can I combine multiple technology templates?

Yes! Select multiple languages, frameworks, and tools. The generator combines all relevant patterns. For example, select Node.js + React + VS Code + macOS to get comprehensive coverage for your stack.

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