.gitignore Hidden Files with Exceptions

In most operating systems by default, files that start with a period (.) are hidden. When setting up my .gitignore file, I like to ignore all these hidden files (with a few exceptions).

gitignore All Hidden Files

By adding the following line to my .gitignore file, all files that start with a period (.) will be ignored.

.*

Add Exceptions

There are some files that start with a period (.) that I do want to include in my Git repository (e.g. .gitignore).

I can add these exceptions using an exclamation point (!) in .gitignore (in many languages the exclamation point is the NOT operator).

!.gitignore

Starter .gitignore files

• General starter .gitignore
• WordPress website .gitignore

Sal Ferrarello (@salcode)

Sal is a PHP and JavaScript developer with a focus on the WordPress platform. He is a conference speaker with a background including Piano Player, Radio DJ, Magician/Juggler, Beach Photographer, and High School Math Teacher. Sal can be found professionally at WebDevStudios, where he works as a principal engineer.