Global ignore

Learn to exclude personal files with a global .gitignore.

Global .gitignore

A project-level .gitignore stores rules for a specific repository. A global ignore file provides personal ignore rules that can apply across all repositories on your computer. For example, you do not need to list operating system or editor-specific files separately in every project.

git config --global core.excludesfile ~/.gitignore_global

This setting tells Git where to find your personal ignore file.

Configure the global file location

The core.excludesfile configuration setting tells Git where the global ignore file is located. The --global option applies the setting at the user level. This means the setting belongs to the user's Git configuration rather than a single repository.

git config --global core.excludesfile ~/.gitignore_global

You can create the specified file and write your personal patterns inside it.

Exercise Write the global ignore setting

Set Git's global ignore file to ~/.gitignore_global. Use the git config command and the required option.

Show example solution

# Global ignore dosyasının konumunu ayarla
git config --global core.excludesfile ~/.gitignore_global

Test yourself

You want to ignore temporary files created by your editor in every Git repository on your computer. Which approach is suitable?
- Run git init in every repository
- Commit every file
- Create the same file manually in every repository
- Use a global ignore file
Show answer

Use a global ignore file — A global ignore file lets you use personal ignore rules across repositories without repeating them.

Complete the global ignore file setting

git config --global core.____

Show answer

git config --global core.excludesfile

Global ignore concepts

Global ignore

Personal ignores across repositories
core.excludesfile

Location of the ignore file
--global

User-level configuration
Personal

Rules specific to the user

Next lesson: Summary - .gitignore

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