# Source: https://www.mintlify.com/docs/organize/mintignore.md

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.mintlify.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Exclude files from publishing

> Exclude specific files and directories from your published documentation with a `.mintignore` file.

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 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.
* 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) |