Best Free Online Developer Tools to Use in 2026
A practical, opinionated list of the best free online developer tools worth using in 2026, organized by category so you can find what you need fast.
Aug 08, 2026
.gitignore Generator
Generate .gitignore files for your projects. Choose from templates for popular languages and frameworks.
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Select a project type to see a description.
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What is a .gitignore File?
A .gitignore file tells Git which files or folders to ignore in a project. It prevents untracked files from being added to your repository, keeping your commit history clean and avoiding committing sensitive or unnecessary files.
Common files to ignore include:
- Dependency directories (
node_modules/,vendor/) - Build outputs (
dist/,build/,.next/) - Environment files (
.env,.env.local) - IDE and editor config (
.vscode/,.idea/) - OS files (
.DS_Store,Thumbs.db)
How to Use
- Select your project type — Choose from 30+ templates for different languages and frameworks.
- Review the generated file — The
.gitignorecontent updates automatically based on your selection. - Copy or download — Use the copy button or download the file directly.
- Place in your project root — Save the file as
.gitignorein the root directory of your Git repository.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use multiple templates together?
This tool generates one template at a time, but you can easily combine them by copying the content from multiple templates into a single .gitignore file. For example, a Laravel + React project would need entries from both templates.
Do I need a .gitignore file?
Yes, it's a best practice for every Git repository. It prevents accidentally committing compiled binaries, dependencies, environment variables, and other files that shouldn't be in version control.
Can I customize the generated file?
Absolutely! The generated file is a template you can edit. Simply copy the content and add or remove entries as needed for your specific project.
What if my project type isn't listed?
You can use a general template and manually add the entries you need. GitHub also maintains a comprehensive collection of .gitignore templates at github.com/github/gitignore.
Last updated: 17 Aug 2026
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