diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 43db20bf..d1f01c8a 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -15,12 +15,15 @@ assets/css/routes/docs/*
 !assets/css/routes/docs/toolbar-search-enhancements.css
 
 # Frontend build output and installed dependencies
-assets/admin/build/
-assets/admin/node_modules/
+/assets/admin/build/*
+!/assets/admin/build/.gitkeep
+/assets/admin/node_modules/*
+!/assets/admin/node_modules/.gitkeep
 assets/admin/.vite-temp/
 
 # PHP installed dependencies
-/vendor/
+/vendor/*
+!/vendor/.gitkeep
 
 # Temporary / recovery helpers
 restore-helper-monoliths.php
diff --git a/assets/admin/build/.gitkeep b/assets/admin/build/.gitkeep
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8b137891
--- /dev/null
+++ b/assets/admin/build/.gitkeep
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+
diff --git a/assets/admin/node_modules/.gitkeep b/assets/admin/node_modules/.gitkeep
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8b137891
--- /dev/null
+++ b/assets/admin/node_modules/.gitkeep
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+
diff --git a/vendor/.gitkeep b/vendor/.gitkeep
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8b137891
--- /dev/null
+++ b/vendor/.gitkeep
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+