Ignore all files with the same name in git

Question

Is there a way to have a git ignore file to ignore all files with the name test in them?

I have files like this:

 - css/test.css 
 - js/subfolder/test.js 
 - lib/main/sub/test.html

and so on.

I want git to avoid adding or committing any files with the name test.

This question and many others you may have about gitignores can be answered by reading `man gitignore`, which contains a description of the syntax, and a few small examples. — Cascabel, Jan 24 '12 at 03:10

score 122 · Answer 1 · answered Aug 04 '16 at 15:11

122

From git docs

A leading "**" followed by a slash means match in all directories. For
example, "**/foo" matches file or directory "foo" anywhere, the same
as pattern "foo". "**/foo/bar" matches file or directory "bar"
anywhere that is directly under directory "foo".

For your case:

**/[Tt]est*

it also matches both upper and lower case.

answered Aug 04 '16 at 15:11

Alex Kulinkovich

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What does the trailing `*` do? – clabe45 Jul 14 '18 at 13:02
@clabe45 Two consecutive asterisks ("**") in patterns matched against full pathname may have special meaning: 1) A leading "**" followed by a slash means match in all directories. 2) A trailing "/**" matches everything inside. 3) A slash followed by two consecutive asterisks then a slash matches zero or more directories. 4) Other consecutive asterisks are considered invalid. – Alex Kulinkovich Jul 14 '18 at 13:27
@clabe45 you can find more details in link provided in answer – Alex Kulinkovich Jul 14 '18 at 13:28
3

@clabe45 a * is a special character which means any number (including zero) of any character. So in this case it will match `test.json`, `test.py`, `testosterone`, `testimony.txt.jpg.zip`, or even just `test`. You might try doing `**/[Tt]est.*` with a period, although that will not catch files like `testClient.js`. – Mark Peschel Jul 01 '21 at 11:13

score 28 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 24 '12 at 03:03

28

Update .gitignore with test*

Also, read this for more information.

answered Jan 24 '12 at 03:03

James Raitsev

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Why so many votes? Correct seems `**/..` with the two beginning stars. The link does not refer to the 2 stars either. `test*` ignores it only in the base dir. – Timo Jul 20 '18 at 08:08
@Timo test* ignores recursively. If you prefix with a /, eg /test*, then it would only ignore in the base dir – Eric Zhang Oct 11 '18 at 17:57
I'm getting the same results as Timo - with or without leading slash, a filename followed by a star, e.g. test*, does not get ignored outside of the base dir. – Bytech Nov 06 '18 at 14:31
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From `man gitignore`: `A leading "**" followed by a slash means match in all directories. For example, "**/foo" matches file or directory "foo" anywhere, the same as pattern "foo". "**/foo/bar" matches file or directory "bar" anywhere that is directly under directory "foo".` – Mar 25 '19 at 07:12
This does not answer the question. – Qumber Jun 04 '20 at 06:34

score 4 · Answer 3 · answered Jan 24 '12 at 02:54

4

Try adding the pattern to .gitignore of test.*

Add it and do a git status with some files like you mentioned above.

If it works you're good.

answered Jan 24 '12 at 02:54

Dave G

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Ignore all files with the same name in git

3 Answers3