> Exclude specific files and directories from your published documentation using a .mintignore file with glob patterns, similar to .gitignore syntax.

The `.mintignore` file lets you exclude specific files and directories in your documentation repository from processing and publishing 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 theme={null}
# 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.
- Don't have their outgoing links checked by [`mint broken-links`](/guides/cli-commands#mint-broken-links).
- Cause any links pointing to them from other pages to appear as broken by `mint broken-links` checks.

## Default ignored patterns

Mintlify automatically ignores the following directories and files without requiring any configuration:

- `.git`
- `.github`
- `.claude`
- `.agents`
- `.idea`
- `.vscode`
- `.cursor`
- `.mintlify` (except skills and JSON or YAML configuration files)
- `node_modules`
- `README.md`
- `LICENSE.md`
- `CHANGELOG.md`
- `CONTRIBUTING.md`

You don't need to add these to your `.mintignore` file.

:::callout{intent="note"}
Unlike [hidden pages](/guides/organize-hidden-pages), `.mintignore` completely removes
matching files from your site. Visitors cannot access them by URL.
:::

## 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) |

## Related topics

- [Fix a static file that returns 404 on your docs site](/docs/help-center/static-file-not-served.md)
- [SEO](/docs/optimize/seo.md)
- [Mintlify CLI command reference](/docs/cli/commands.md)

## Related pages

- [Ai](./ai-index.md)
- [Analytics overview](./analytics-index.md)
- [Api](./api-index.md)
- [Api playground](./api-playground-index.md)
- [Assistant](./assistant-index.md)
- [Automations overview](./automations-index.md)
- [Components overview](./components-index.md)
- [Create](./create-index.md)
- [Customize](./customize-index.md)
- [Dashboard](./dashboard-index.md)

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