Recommend default global gitignore file

[adamchainz]

Code of Conduct

• I have read and agree to the GitHub Docs project's Code of Conduct

What article on docs.github.com is affected?

https://docs.github.com/en/get-started/getting-started-with-git/ignoring-files#configuring-ignored-files-for-all-repositories-on-your-computer

What part(s) of the article would you like to see updated?

The article recommends setting core.excludesfile and adding an ignore file to the user’s home directory.

This is unnecessary since this change in Git 1.7.12 (August 2012), which made Git default to reading the file $HOME/.config/git/ignore. Using this file is preferable as it avoids configuraiton and it’s the standard location for config, reducing bloat in the home directory.

Additional information

No response

[welcome]

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[cmwilson21]

@adamchainz Thanks so much for opening an issue! I'll triage this for the team to take a look 👀

[github-actions]

Thanks for opening an issue! We've triaged this issue for technical review by a subject matter expert 👀

[cmwilson21]

@adamchainz Thanks for opening this issue! I checked with the team, and this would be a great update for the docs. ✨

You or anyone else are welcome to submit a PR with this update 🔧

[adamchainz]

I’m too busy writing my own blog, relevant post.