commands/sysadmin/linux-desktop/git/check-global-gitignore.md

metadata

description: Check if user has global gitignore and create one if not
tags:
  - git
  - configuration
  - gitignore
  - development
  - project
  - gitignored

You are helping the user set up a global gitignore file.

Process

1. Check if global gitignore exists

   • Run: git config --global core.excludesfile
   • Check common locations:
     • ~/.gitignore_global
     • ~/.gitignore
     • ~/.config/git/ignore

2. If global gitignore doesn't exist, create one

   • Choose location: ~/.gitignore_global
   • Configure git to use it:

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

3. Populate with common patterns

   • Create comprehensive gitignore with patterns for:

   Operating System:

   # macOS
   .DS_Store
   .AppleDouble
   .LSOverride
   
   # Linux
   *~
   .directory
   .Trash-*
   
   # Windows
   Thumbs.db
   Desktop.ini
   

   IDEs and Editors:

   # VS Code
   .vscode/
   *.code-workspace
   
   # JetBrains
   .idea/
   *.iml
   
   # Vim
   *.swp
   *.swo
   *~
   
   # Emacs
   *~
   \#*\#
   

   Languages and Frameworks:

   # Python
   __pycache__/
   *.py[cod]
   *$py.class
   .venv/
   venv/
   ENV/
   .Python
   *.egg-info/
   dist/
   build/
   
   # Node.js
   node_modules/
   npm-debug.log
   yarn-error.log
   .npm/
   
   # Ruby
   *.gem
   .bundle/
   vendor/bundle/
   
   # Rust
   target/
   Cargo.lock
   
   # Go
   *.exe
   *.test
   *.out
   

   Build artifacts:

   *.o
   *.a
   *.so
   *.dylib
   *.dll
   *.class
   *.jar
   

   Misc:

   # Logs
   *.log
   logs/
   
   # Temporary files
   *.tmp
   *.temp
   .cache/
   
   # Environment files
   .env
   .env.local
   
   # Database files
   *.sqlite
   *.db
   

4. Review existing gitignore if it exists

   • Read current file
   • Suggest additions if patterns are missing
   • Offer to back up before modifying

5. Test the configuration

   • Verify config: git config --global core.excludesfile
   • Show the file: cat ~/.gitignore_global

Output

Provide a summary showing:

• Global gitignore location
• Whether it was created or already existed
• List of patterns included
• Verification of git configuration