.gitignore for CMake
12 ignore rules for CMake, ready to copy into your repository.
Cross-platform build system generator
The complete .gitignore for CMake
# Generated by LFGitignore - https://lfgitignore.com
# Created: 2026-08-05 01:29:18 UTC
# Technologies: CMake
### CMake ###
# CMake user settings
CMakeLists.txt.user
# CMake cache
CMakeCache.txt
# CMake generated files
CMakeFiles
# CMake scripts
CMakeScripts
# CMake testing directory
Testing
# CMake install script
cmake_install.cmake
# CMake install manifest
install_manifest.txt
# Compilation database
compile_commands.json
# CTest configuration
CTestTestfile.cmake
# CMake dependencies
_deps
CMakeUserPresets.json
# Generated makefile
Makefile
What these CMake rules actually ignore
Every pattern below, and why it belongs in your .gitignore.
General
| Pattern | What it ignores |
|---|---|
CMakeLists.txt.user |
CMake user settings |
CMakeCache.txt |
CMake cache |
CMakeFiles |
CMake generated files |
CMakeScripts |
CMake scripts |
Testing |
CMake testing directory |
cmake_install.cmake |
CMake install script |
install_manifest.txt |
CMake install manifest |
compile_commands.json |
Compilation database |
CTestTestfile.cmake |
CTest configuration |
_deps |
CMake dependencies |
CMakeUserPresets.json |
General |
Makefile |
Generated makefile |
How to use this .gitignore for CMake
- Copy the CMake rules above, or download the file directly.
- Create a file named .gitignore at the root of your Git repository and paste the rules into it.
- If some of those files are already tracked, run git rm -r --cached . then commit again — Git only applies ignore rules to untracked files.
- Commit the .gitignore so everyone on the team shares the same rules.