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How to use gitignore File Builder

Get the best out of gitignore File Builder: every option explained, a worked example, and what to check when the output is not what you expected.

Updated August 1, 2026

What it does

Generate robust .gitignore configuration templates for standard frameworks and projects. It runs entirely in your browser — your input never leaves your device.

Options

Every setting this tool exposes, straight from the code that validates it.

OptionTypeDefaultWhat it does
templateslist of one of: node, nextjs, python, macos, windows["node","nextjs"]Template ids to combine into a .gitignore file. Defaults to ["node","nextjs"].

Worked example

Run these settings on the tool page:

  • templates: ["node","nextjs"]

You get:

# Generated .gitignore

# === Node.js / npm ===
# logs
logs
*.log
npm-debug.log*
yarn-debug.log*
yarn-error.log*

# dependency directories
node_modules/
jspm_packages/

# IDE files
.eslintcache
.stylelintcache
.prettier-cache

# === Next.js / React ===
# next.js build
.next/
out/
build/

# production
.env.production
.env.local
.env.development.local

# debug
.pnp
.pnp.js

Troubleshooting

  • It is slow on very large input. Everything runs in your browser, so speed depends on your device. Very large inputs are best split up, or run through the API where the work happens on our servers.

Automating it

The same logic is available as a REST endpoint, so you can run it from a script, a CI job or your own app.

Bash
curl "https://api.toolsxpo.com/v1/gitignore-builder" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOOLSXPO_KEY"

It costs 1 credit per successful call. See the full endpoint reference, or try it in the playground.

Tools covered here

gitignore File Builder

DevOps & Config

devops

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