How to ignore all hidden directories/files recursively in a git repository?

Question

I'd like to have Git ignore all hidden files and directories. i.e.

.aptitude
.ssh/
.bash_rc
config/.hidden

Is there a simple rule to cover this without specifically adding each entry?

Daniel Böhmer · Accepted Answer · 2013-07-25T23:37:08.860

199

Just add a pattern to .gitignore

.*
!/.gitignore

Edit: Added the .gitignore file itself (matters if it is not yet commited).

edited Jul 25 '13 at 23:37

answered Nov 05 '11 at 16:18

Daniel Böhmer

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You might want to force-add some files that are necessary after this. eg. the .htaccess file. Based on your requirements of course. – dakdad Nov 05 '11 at 16:20
3

@dakdad: Thanks for the suggestion. Improved the answer. If Poe has some special files like `.htaccess` already checked in they keep being followed. `gitignore` is only important for new files. – Daniel Böhmer Nov 05 '11 at 16:35
@DanielBöhmer Maybe this is getting off the subject, but is there a reason for un-ignoring only `/.gitignore` and not every `.gitignore` file regardless of where it is located? I.e. why not list `!.gitignore` (no slash)? – Jason Young Feb 12 '20 at 16:08
1

@JasonYoung Interesting question. Well, this pattern un-ignores just the file itself. I find this more concise with no side effects for an example to copy & paste. Of course, you can probably just un-ignore any `.gitignore` files in your top-level `.gitignore` file. But that choice is up to you. – Daniel Böhmer Feb 13 '20 at 17:08
if you want just hidden files within root user just use this line `/.*` – YGautomo Jul 31 '23 at 06:01

score 77 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 24 '14 at 00:05

77

.gitignore will only effect files that haven't been 'added' already.

To make new .gitignore entries affect all files

Make changes to .gitignore
git commit -a -m "Pre .gitignore changes"
git rm -r --cached .
git add .
git commit -a -m "Post .gitignore changes"
git status should output "nothing to commit (working directory clean)" `

answered Dec 24 '14 at 00:05

Nat Darke

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The line "haven't been 'added' already" is the key here, because if you already commited a given file the ignore will not work on him anymore you must delete it from the repository and the next time you create it the .gitignore will ignore it. – Georgi Peev May 02 '20 at 10:16

score 26 · Answer 3 · edited Jul 25 '18 at 17:52

26

In .git/info/exclude, add this line:

.*

This will make ignoring all hidden/dot files recursively the default for every repository on the machine. A separate .gitignore file for every repo is not needed this way.

edited Jul 25 '18 at 17:52

dessert

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answered Mar 11 '14 at 07:18

slayedbylucifer

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How to ignore all hidden directories/files recursively in a git repository?

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