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mintlify__docs/organize/mintignore.mdx
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---
title: "Exclude files from publishing"
sidebarTitle: "Exclude files"
description: "Exclude specific files and directories from your published documentation with a `.mintignore` file."
keywords: ["exclude", "ignore", "gitignore", "drafts", "private"]
---
The `.mintignore` file allows you to exclude specific files and directories in your documentation repository from being processed and published to your documentation site.
Use `.mintignore` to keep drafts, internal notes, and source files out of your public documentation while maintaining them in your repository.
## Create a .mintignore file
Create a `.mintignore` file in the root of your docs directory. This file uses the same pattern syntax as `.gitignore`.
```plaintext .mintignore
# Exclude draft documents
drafts/
*.draft.mdx
# Exclude internal documentation
internal/
# Exclude specific files
private-notes.md
```
When Mintlify builds your documentation, it reads the `.mintignore` file and excludes any matching files or directories from processing.
Excluded files:
- Don't appear in your published documentation.
- Aren't indexed for search.
- Aren't accessible to visitors.
- Are ignored by [broken link checks](/installation#find-broken-links). Links that point to ignored files are broken.
## Default ignored patterns
Mintlify automatically ignores the following directories and files without requiring any configuration:
- `.git`
- `.github`
- `.claude`
- `.agents`
- `.idea`
- `node_modules`
- `README.md`
- `LICENSE.md`
- `CHANGELOG.md`
- `CONTRIBUTING.md`
You don't need to add these to your `.mintignore` file.
<Note>
Unlike [hidden pages](/organize/hidden-pages), files excluded by `.mintignore`
are completely removed from your site and cannot be accessed by URL.
</Note>
## Pattern syntax
The `.mintignore` file follows `.gitignore` syntax. Some common patterns include:
| Pattern | Description |
| ------------------ | ---------------------------------------------- |
| `drafts/` | Excludes the entire `drafts` directory |
| `*.draft.mdx` | Excludes all files ending in `.draft.mdx` |
| `private-notes.md` | Excludes a specific file |
| `**/internal/**` | Excludes any `internal` directory at any level |
| `!important.mdx` | Negates a previous pattern (includes the file) |