Skip to main content

This version of GitHub Enterprise Server was discontinued on 2024-09-24. No patch releases will be made, even for critical security issues. For better performance, improved security, and new features, upgrade to the latest version of GitHub Enterprise Server. For help with the upgrade, contact GitHub Enterprise support.

The REST API is now versioned. For more information, see "About API versioning."

REST API endpoints for gitignore

Use the REST API to get .gitignore templates that can be used to ignore files and directories.

About gitignore

When you create a new repository on GitHub via the API, you can specify a .gitignore template to apply to the repository upon creation. You can use the REST API to get .gitignore templates from the GitHub Enterprise Server .gitignore repository.

Get all gitignore templates

List all templates available to pass as an option when creating a repository.

Fine-grained access tokens for "Get all gitignore templates"

This endpoint works with the following fine-grained token types:

The fine-grained token does not require any permissions.

This endpoint can be used without authentication if only public resources are requested.

HTTP response status codes for "Get all gitignore templates"

Status codeDescription
200

OK

304

Not modified

Code samples for "Get all gitignore templates"

Request example

get/gitignore/templates
curl -L \ -H "Accept: application/vnd.github+json" \ -H "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR-TOKEN>" \ -H "X-GitHub-Api-Version: 2022-11-28" \ http(s)://HOSTNAME/api/v3/gitignore/templates

Response

Status: 200
[ "Actionscript", "Android", "AppceleratorTitanium", "Autotools", "Bancha", "C", "C++" ]

Get a gitignore template

Get the content of a gitignore template.

This endpoint supports the following custom media types. For more information, see "Media types."

  • application/vnd.github.raw+json: Returns the raw .gitignore contents.

Fine-grained access tokens for "Get a gitignore template"

This endpoint works with the following fine-grained token types:

The fine-grained token does not require any permissions.

This endpoint can be used without authentication if only public resources are requested.

Parameters for "Get a gitignore template"

Headers
Name, Type, Description
accept string

Setting to application/vnd.github+json is recommended.

Path parameters
Name, Type, Description
name string Required

HTTP response status codes for "Get a gitignore template"

Status codeDescription
200

OK

304

Not modified

Code samples for "Get a gitignore template"

Request example

get/gitignore/templates/{name}
curl -L \ -H "Accept: application/vnd.github+json" \ -H "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR-TOKEN>" \ -H "X-GitHub-Api-Version: 2022-11-28" \ http(s)://HOSTNAME/api/v3/gitignore/templates/NAME

Response

Status: 200
{ "name": "C", "source": "# Object files\n*.o\n\n# Libraries\n*.lib\n*.a\n\n# Shared objects (inc. Windows DLLs)\n*.dll\n*.so\n*.so.*\n*.dylib\n\n# Executables\n*.exe\n*.out\n*.app\n" }