Generate a .gitignore file online

How it works

1. 1

   Tick the stacks, systems and editors you use.

2. 2

   Review the generated sections.

3. 3

   Copy the file and save it as .gitignore in your project root.

About the .gitignore Generator

A missing .gitignore lets node_modules, vendor folders, editor settings and .env secrets slip into a repository. This generator assembles a starting .gitignore from short templates for common stacks, operating systems and editors. Tick what applies to your project and the file is built with a labelled section for each choice, ready to paste into the root of your repository.

What you can do

• Combine templates for Node, PHP / Laravel, Python, macOS, Windows, VS Code and JetBrains.
• Start from Node, macOS and VS Code, which are ticked by default.
• See each template under its own ### heading so you know where every rule came from.
• Copy the finished file in one click.

When it works best

• Starting a new repository and wanting sensible ignores before the first commit.
• Adding OS and editor rules to a project shared by people on Mac, Windows and different IDEs.
• Checking whether a Laravel or Python project already ignores its cache and environment files.

Things to know

• The file is assembled in your browser.
• Templates are deliberately short and cover common files only, so add rules for your build output, logs or tools.
• Every stack template ignores .env. Commit a .env.example instead if teammates need to know which variables exist.
• A .gitignore does not remove files Git already tracks; run git rm --cached on them first.

Frequently asked questions