gitignore keep folder but not contents code example

Example 1: gitignore is not working

git rm -rf --cached .
git add .

Example 2: how to ignore folder in gitignore duplicate

# Step 1) First stop git from tracking the <folder> 
### Example git rm -r --cached dist ###
git rm -r --cached <folder> 

# Step 2) Then update .gitignore file
dist/
node_modules/
*.log
.env
*.zip