## Context

The project currently lacks a `.gitignore` file, which results in various development-related files, build artifacts, and dependency directories being untracked or potentially committed to version control. This leads to a cluttered repository and can cause issues with consistency across different development environments.

## Goals / Non-Goals

**Goals:**
- Create a comprehensive `.gitignore` file at the project root.
- Ensure that common development artifacts, temporary files, dependency directories, and OS/IDE-specific files are ignored by Git.
- Maintain a clean and focused Git repository.

**Non-Goals:**
- This design does not aim to modify existing Git history or remove already committed files.
- It does not cover advanced Git configurations beyond the `.gitignore` file itself.
- It will not address ignoring files that are intentionally part of the repository (e.g., configuration files that need to be tracked).

## Decisions

1.  **Location**: The `.gitignore` file will be placed in the root directory of the project (`/home/filip/docker-backend-display/.gitignore`).
2.  **Content - General**: It will include standard ignore patterns for:
    -   Node.js specific files and directories (`node_modules`, `npm-debug.log`, `build`, `dist`, etc.).
    -   Operating System specific files (`.DS_Store`, `Thumbs.db`).
    -   Common IDE/Editor specific files (`.vscode/`, `.idea/`, `*.swp`).
3.  **Content - Project Specific**: It will include patterns for:
    -   Backend build artifacts (if any are generated outside `node_modules`).
    -   Frontend build artifacts (`frontend/build`).
    -   Log files (`*.log`).
    -   Environment variables (`.env`).

## Risks / Trade-offs

- **[Risk]** Over-ignoring essential files: There is a risk that some files necessary for the project's build or execution might be inadvertently ignored.
  - **Mitigation**: The `.gitignore` file will be carefully reviewed after creation, and tested by checking `git status` to ensure only intended files are ignored.
- **[Risk]** Under-ignoring sensitive or large files: Some sensitive information or large binary files might be missed, leading to them being committed.
  - **Mitigation**: The `.gitignore` will be based on widely accepted templates for Node.js/React projects, and specific project directories will be explicitly added.