diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index c11afd3..fbba52e 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1,3 +1,10 @@
+# ignore anything begin with dot
+.*
+
+# exceptions we need even begin with dot
+!.clang-format
+!.gitignore
+
 # Object files
 *.o
 *.a
@@ -10,4 +17,3 @@ install/
 # Development friendly files
 tags
 cscope*
-*.swp