diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a1e5f69
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+# exclude everything
+*
+
+# exception to the rule
+!.revealjs/*
+!.scripts/*
+!.templates/*
+!.bash_aliases
+!.emacs
+!.gitconfig
+!.gitignore
+!README.md