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Git Ignore for Beginners: How to Keep Unwanted Files Out of Your Git Repositories
When working with Git, especially as a beginner, it is easy to accidentally include files in your repository that you do not actually want tracked. This can include log files, OS-generated files such as .DS_Store, compiled binaries, or personal settings files. Thankfully, Git has a built-in feature called .gitignore that allows you to easily tell Git which files or folders to ignore.
What is .gitignore?
The .gitignore file is a special plain text file that tells Git which files or directories to skip when committing code. For example, if you are working on a Python project and do not want to track compiled .pyc files or your virtual environment folder, .gitignore is your best friend.
Here is a basic example for a Python project:
__pycache__/
*.pyc
.env
venv/
Once listed, Git will ignore those files and not include them in future commits, even if they exist in your project folder.
Why Use .gitignore?
- Security: Avoid committing sensitive files like API keys or passwords.
- Clean Repositories: Keep your Git history free from clutter.
- Consistency: Ensure only relevant code and files are shared with collaborators.
How to Create and Use a .gitignore File
- Open your project root directory.
- Create a new file named
.gitignore. - Add paths or patterns for files and folders to ignore.
- Save and commit your changes.
Note: If you have already committed a file, adding it to .gitignore will not remove it from the repository. You will need to untrack it manually using the following command:
git rm --cached filenameScreencast Tutorial & Screenshots
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Git is open source and free to use. The .gitignore system helps keep your open source or private projects tidy and secure. It is a simple but powerful step in maintaining clean code.
Edward is a software engineer, web developer, and author dedicated to helping people achieve their personal and professional goals through actionable advice and real-world tools.