.llmignore
.llmignore is a tool-agnostic convention for listing files that LLM-based tools should exclude from context.
This week: 0% of 499 scanned repos had .llmignore.See Radar #4 →
What it is
.llmignore is a gitignore-style file adopted by some LLM tooling as a neutral, vendor-independent way to declare files that should never be sent to a model.
Why use it
A single .llmignore can document intent across tools that support it, signaling which files are off-limits for any AI assistant.
How to set it up
Create .llmignore in your project root and add patterns to exclude, one per line. Pair it with the specific ignore file your tool reads for enforcement.
.env
.env.*
*.pem
*.key
secrets/What to exclude
Common sensitive categories worth adding to .llmignore:
FAQ
- Do all AI tools read .llmignore?
- No. Support varies. Use it as a clear signal, but also add the dedicated ignore file your specific tool honors.
Check your own project
158 of 499 repos this week exposed sensitive paths to AI tools. Check yours in seconds:
Run the same local check with Offsend CLI:
brew install --cask offsend/tap/offsend-cli
offsend show
offsend prepare --dry-runEverything runs locally. No file contents are uploaded.