Ignore files and folders in Knowledge Stack

The .mstyignore file is a powerful tool allows you to specify which files and folders should be ignored when composing your knowledge stack. By using .mstyignore, you can streamline your knowledge base, exclude unnecessary files, and maintain a cleaner, more focused stack.

Understanding .mstyignore Syntax

Good news for those familiar with Git: .mstyignore uses the same syntax as .gitignore. This means if you're already comfortable with .gitignore, you'll find .mstyignore intuitive and easy to use. For those new to this syntax, don't worry – it's straightforward and easy to learn.

How to Create and Use a .mstyignore File

1. Create a new file named ".mstyignore" in the root directory of your knowledge stack folders or Obsidian vaults.
2. Open the file in a text editor.
3. Add patterns for files and folders you want to ignore, one per line.
4. Save the file.

Syntax Rules and Pattern Examples

Here are some common patterns and what they do:

1. Ignore specific files: example.txt
2. Ignore all files with a certain extension: *.log
3. Ignore all files in a specific folder: folder_name/
4. Ignore a specific folder and all its contents: folder_name/**
5. Ignore files or folders that match a pattern: */temp_
6. Negate a pattern (include a file that would otherwise be ignored): !important.txt

Practical Examples

Here's an example of what your .mstyignore file might look like:

# Ignore all .log files
*.log

# Ignore the entire 'temp' folder
temp/

# Ignore all .tmp files in any directory
**/*.tmp

# Ignore all files in the 'drafts' folder
drafts/

# But don't ignore important drafts
!drafts/important_draft.md

# Ignore all files starting with 'temp_'
temp_*

# Ignore all files ending with '_old'
*_old

Best Practices

1. Keep your .mstyignore file in the root directory of your knowledge stack.
2. Use comments (lines starting with #) to explain complex patterns.
3. Be specific to avoid accidentally ignoring important files.
4. Regularly review and update your .mstyignore file as your knowledge stack evolves.

By effectively using .mstyignore, you can maintain a clean, relevant, and efficient knowledge stack in Misty AI. This allows you to focus on the information that matters most, improving the overall quality and usefulness of your AI assistant.