diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..85817e39
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+# Ignore everything in the root directory by default
+*
+
+# But DO NOT ignore the plugin directory
+!hvac-community-events/
+
+# Also DO NOT ignore this .gitignore file itself
+!.gitignore
\ No newline at end of file