Generate .gitignore files for your projects
Select technologies or frameworks to create a comprehensive .gitignore file
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What is a .gitignore file?
A .gitignore file is a text file that tells Git which files or folders to ignore in a project. It prevents unnecessary files from being tracked by version control, keeping your repository clean and reducing its size. Common files to ignore include build artifacts, dependency folders, environment configuration files, and IDE-specific files.
Why use a .gitignore generator?
Creating a comprehensive .gitignore file manually can be time-consuming and error-prone. Each technology, framework, and development tool has its own set of files that should be ignored. Our generator combines community-maintained ignore patterns from hundreds of technologies, ensuring you don't accidentally commit sensitive files, temporary files, or build artifacts to your repository.
How does LFGitignore work?
LFGitignore uses a curated database of .gitignore templates from the developer community. Simply search for and select the technologies you're using - whether it's Python, Node.js, React, or any of the hundreds of available options. Our system intelligently merges the rules, removes duplicates, and generates a custom .gitignore file optimized for your specific tech stack.
Best practices for using .gitignore files
Add your .gitignore file at the beginning of your project, before making your first commit. This prevents accidentally tracking unwanted files from the start. Remember to update your .gitignore as you add new technologies or tools to your project. If you've already committed files that should be ignored, you'll need to remove them from tracking using git rm --cached before the .gitignore rules take effect.
Common patterns in .gitignore files
Understanding .gitignore syntax helps you customize your file further. Use * as a wildcard for multiple characters, ? for a single character, and / to specify directories. Lines starting with # are comments. Patterns ending with / match directories only. You can negate a pattern by starting it with !, which is useful for making exceptions to broader rules.
How is LFGitignore free to use?
LFGitignore is designed to be free thanks to the shared infrastructure of the Ludovic Frank group. To minimize costs, we've eliminated resource-intensive features and keep the service simple and efficient. The gitignore patterns are maintained by the open-source community, and we simply provide an easy way to access and combine them.
But if it's free, how do you make money?
We don't directly generate revenue from LFGitignore. However, by using our service, you discover the 'Ludovic Frank' brand. If your company needs advanced web development or consulting solutions, you'll know where to find us. Additionally, we offer specific paid software solutions, such as a reservation system for restaurants that protects against no-shows. LFGitignore is therefore a gateway to other services in our ecosystem.