.gitignore for MetaTrader 5
26 ignore rules for MetaTrader 5, ready to copy into your repository.
Trading platform
The complete .gitignore for MetaTrader 5
# Generated by LFGitignore - https://lfgitignore.com
# Created: 2026-08-05 01:34:42 UTC
# Technologies: MetaTrader 5
### MetaTrader 5 ###
*.ex5
# For MQL4 compatibility if you also manage MT4 projects in a similar structure
*.ex4
# Log file
*.log
# Strategy Tester logs
*.slog
# FXT files (history data for testing)
*.fxt
# History data files (can be large)
*.hst
# Initialization files (often generated by tester or EAs)
*.ini
# Data files (various purposes, often temporary)
*.dat
# CSV export files (e.g., from tester reports)
*.csv
# Journal files (tester journal)
*.jrn
# Market Watch symbol sets
*.set
# Chart templates
*.tpl
# Chart settings files (can be generated when saving templates or profiles)
*.chr
# Dynamic link library
*.dll
# Environment variables (e.g., for Python integration credentials)
.env
# Configuration files (if not meant to be shared)
*.cfg
# Be careful: if you have config JSONs you *do* want to commit, add specific exceptions.
*.json
# Temporary files (e.g., ~MyScript.mq5)
*.~*
# Backup files (e.g., MyScript.mq5.bak)
*.bak
*.mqh.bak
*.mq5.bak
.mqproj
# Python compiled bytecode cache
__pycache__/
# Jupyter Notebook checkpoints
.ipynb_checkpoints/
# Python compiled files
*.pyc
# Python dynamic modules
*.pyd
What these MetaTrader 5 rules actually ignore
Every pattern below, and why it belongs in your .gitignore.
These are generated from .mq5 source files and should not be committed.
| Pattern | What it ignores |
|---|---|
*.ex5 |
These are generated from .mq5 source files and should not be committed. |
*.ex4 |
For MQL4 compatibility if you also manage MT4 projects in a similar structure |
Terminal logs, strategy tester logs, and custom logs from Print() functions.
| Pattern | What it ignores |
|---|---|
*.log |
Log file |
*.slog |
Strategy Tester logs |
History data, optimization results, and temporary files used by the tester.
| Pattern | What it ignores |
|---|---|
*.fxt |
FXT files (history data for testing) |
*.hst |
History data files (can be large) |
*.ini |
Initialization files (often generated by tester or EAs) |
*.dat |
Data files (various purposes, often temporary) |
*.csv |
CSV export files (e.g., from tester reports) |
*.jrn |
Journal files (tester journal) |
User-specific lists of symbols in Market Watch, and terminal profiles.
| Pattern | What it ignores |
|---|---|
*.set |
Market Watch symbol sets |
*.tpl |
Chart templates |
*.chr |
Chart settings files (can be generated when saving templates or profiles) |
*.dll |
Dynamic link library |
Files containing sensitive information or local user settings.
| Pattern | What it ignores |
|---|---|
.env |
Environment variables (e.g., for Python integration credentials) |
*.cfg |
Configuration files (if not meant to be shared) |
*.json |
Be careful: if you have config JSONs you *do* want to commit, add specific exceptions. |
Temporary files and backup files generated by MetaEditor
| Pattern | What it ignores |
|---|---|
*.~* |
Temporary files (e.g., ~MyScript.mq5) |
*.bak |
Backup files (e.g., MyScript.mq5.bak) |
*.mqh.bak |
Temporary files and backup files generated by MetaEditor |
*.mq5.bak |
Temporary files and backup files generated by MetaEditor |
Project files for MetaEditor workspaces.
| Pattern | What it ignores |
|---|---|
.mqproj |
Project files for MetaEditor workspaces. |
__pycache__/ |
Python compiled bytecode cache |
.ipynb_checkpoints/ |
Jupyter Notebook checkpoints |
*.pyc |
Python compiled files |
*.pyd |
Python dynamic modules |
How to use this .gitignore for MetaTrader 5
- Copy the MetaTrader 5 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.