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.gitignore Generator

Free web tool: .gitignore Generator

Select Project Type

.gitignore Output

# Node
node_modules/
dist/
build/
.env
.env.local
npm-debug.log*
yarn-debug.log*
yarn-error.log*
.npm
.yarn/cache

About .gitignore Generator

The .gitignore Generator lets you create a complete, production-ready .gitignore file in seconds by selecting one or more project templates. It covers 11 common environments — Node.js, Python, Java, Go, Rust, Unity, macOS, Windows, Linux, JetBrains IDEs, and VS Code — each with carefully curated patterns that prevent build artifacts, dependency folders, IDE settings, and OS-generated files from being accidentally committed to your Git repository.

Developers across all experience levels use this tool when bootstrapping a new project or updating an existing repository. Instead of manually recalling which directories or file extensions to exclude for each language ecosystem, you simply click the relevant technology tiles, and the tool assembles the combined output automatically. Multiple selections are merged under labeled comment sections so the generated file remains readable and easy to maintain.

All processing happens entirely inside your browser using a pre-defined pattern database. No file is uploaded to a server, and no account is required. The result is instantly available to copy to your clipboard and paste into the root of your repository, or you can commit it directly after reviewing the output.

Key Features

  • Select multiple project types simultaneously — Node, Python, Java, Go, Rust, Unity, macOS, Windows, Linux, JetBrains, VSCode
  • Combines selected templates into a single, well-structured .gitignore with labeled comment sections
  • Node.js template excludes node_modules/, dist/, build/, .env, and common debug log files
  • Python template covers __pycache__/, *.pyc, .venv/, dist/, and pytest cache directories
  • Java template handles *.class, *.jar, target/, .gradle/, and Eclipse/IntelliJ project files
  • OS templates (macOS, Windows, Linux) remove .DS_Store, Thumbs.db, Desktop.ini, and filesystem artifacts
  • IDE templates for JetBrains (.idea/) and VS Code (.vscode/) keep editor settings out of version control
  • One-click copy to clipboard — paste directly into your project root with no reformatting needed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a .gitignore file and why do I need one?

A .gitignore file tells Git which files and directories to exclude from version control. Without it, compiled binaries, dependency folders like node_modules/, environment variable files like .env, and OS-generated files like .DS_Store can accidentally be committed, bloating your repository and potentially exposing secrets.

Which project types does this generator support?

The generator includes templates for Node.js, Python, Java, Go, Rust, Unity, macOS, Windows, Linux, JetBrains IDEs (IntelliJ, WebStorm, PyCharm), and Visual Studio Code. You can select as many as needed for a polyglot or mixed environment project.

Can I select multiple templates at once?

Yes. Click any number of project type buttons to toggle them on or off. The output area updates immediately to show the merged .gitignore content, with each section labeled by its source template for easy reference.

What does the Node.js template ignore?

The Node.js template ignores node_modules/, dist/, build/, .env, .env.local, npm-debug.log*, yarn-debug.log*, yarn-error.log*, .npm, and .yarn/cache — covering the most common generated and sensitive files in a Node or JavaScript project.

How do I use the generated .gitignore in my project?

Click the Copy button to copy the output to your clipboard. Then create a file named .gitignore in the root directory of your repository and paste the content. If a .gitignore already exists, you can append the relevant sections manually.

Does this tool handle Unity game projects?

Yes. The Unity template excludes Library/, Temp/, Obj/, Build/, Builds/, AssetStoreTools, *.csproj, *.sln, and UserSettings/ — the standard set of generated directories that should not be committed in a Unity project.

What IDE patterns are included for JetBrains tools?

The JetBrains template ignores .idea/, *.iml, *.iws, *.ipr, out/, and .idea_modules/. These cover IntelliJ IDEA, WebStorm, PyCharm, GoLand, Rider, and all other JetBrains products that share the same .idea directory structure.

Is the generated .gitignore safe to commit?

Yes. The .gitignore file itself should be committed to your repository so all collaborators share the same exclusion rules. The patterns included in each template are well-established community standards and do not contain any project-specific secrets.