nijaru/git-local-exclude
dot_claude/skills/git-local-exclude/SKILL.md
Use when keeping files local but out of git history (e.g., ai/, .tasks/, secrets). Use for removing files from git history while retaining them on disk without leaking patterns to .gitignore.
data-ai
Updated Apr 22, 2026
$ install --global
skillsauthnpx skillsauth add nijaru/dotfiles git-local-excludeInstall this skill globally with one command. Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and Windsurf.
Security Scan Results
3 of 9 scanners reported clean
Some scanners were skipped, did not run, or reported a non-clean status. Review each row below.
3
Scanners Passed
9
Scanners in report
Clean
TrivyContainer and dependency vulnerability scanner
95%
Clean
SemgrepStatic code analysis for vulnerabilities
95%
Clean
mcp-scan (Snyk)Model Context Protocol security validation
95%
Skipped
Snyk (dep)Open source security scanning
50%
Skipped
Socket.devSupply chain security analysis
50%
Skipped
VirusTotalMulti-engine malware detection
50%
Skipped
CrowdStrikeAdvanced threat intelligence
50%
Skipped
OSV-ScannerOpen Source Vulnerability database check
50%
Skipped
OWASP Dep-Check
50%
Last scanned: Apr 22, 2026, 5:11 PM243.2s1 file scanned
SKILL.md
- name:
- git-local-exclude
- description:
- Use when keeping files local but out of git history (e.g., ai/, .tasks/, secrets). Use for removing files from git history while retaining them on disk without leaking patterns to .gitignore.
- allowed-tools:
- Bash, Read, Grep, Glob
Git Local Exclude
Core Mandates
- Privacy First: Use
.git/info/excludeinstead of.gitignorefor personal or sensitive local files to avoid leaking their existence. - Verification: Always verify files exist on disk (
ls) before and after any destructive git operations (e.g.,filter-repo). - Precedence: Untrack files (
git rm --cached) BEFORE applying history-rewriting tools.
Implementation Standards
1. New Local Files (Untracked)
Immediately add patterns to the local exclude file:
echo "ai/" >> .git/info/exclude
echo ".tasks/" >> .git/info/exclude
2. Untracking Existing Files
Follow this exact sequence to remove from index without deleting from disk:
- Add to
.git/info/exclude. - Run
git rm -r --cached <path>. - Verify file existence:
ls <path>. - Commit the untracking:
git commit -m "chore: untrack local context".
3. History Removal (Sensitive Data)
Use only when data must be purged from all commits:
- Perform the "Untracking" sequence above.
- Run
git filter-repo --path <path> --invert-paths. - Re-add remote:
git remote add origin <url>. - Force push:
git push origin main --force.
Pattern Distinction
| File | Committed | Visible | Use Case |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| .gitignore | Yes | Yes | Shared: node_modules/, *.pyc, build artifacts. |
| .git/info/exclude | No | No | Private: ai/, .tasks/, personal notes, secrets. |
Anti-Rationalization
| Excuse | Reality |
| :--- | :--- |
| "I'll just use .gitignore for now." | This commits the pattern to history, leaking your private directory structure to the public repo. |
| "The files are already in history, so why bother?" | Untracking prevents future accidental leaks and reduces repo bloat for other contributors. |
| "filter-repo is too dangerous." | Manual untracking (rm --cached) is safe; history rewriting is only for secrets. |
Troubleshooting
- Remote missing:
filter-reporemoves remotes as a safety measure; re-add withgit remote add. - Files deleted: If
lsfails afterfilter-repo, check.git/filter-repo/commit-mapfor recovery. - Pattern ignored: Ensure no leading slashes if matching relative to repo root (e.g.,
ai/not/ai/).
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