I use this method as well, but instead of force adding files, I use an inverted .gitinore. * !/.bashrc !/.config/ !/.config/monitors.xml This

I use this method as well, but instead of force adding files, I use an inverted .gitinore. * !/.bashrc !/.config/ !/.config/monitors.xml This lets me quickly quickly detect changes in my working dir while still explicitly adding each tracked file.