git add adding ignored files

Question

I\'m trying to remove a previously tracked directory from git, which works, but it\'s being added back with each subsequent git add ., git add -A, etc.

Answer 1

Another approach if you don't want to use git rm --cached

rm -Rf node_modules
git add -u
git commit -m "stop tracking node_modules"

npm install
# done

Also note the distinction between node_modules and node_modules/ which you seem to have correct. (Thanks umläute for the note on this)