Cache ignores files in .gitignore

[j0hannr]

Files that are on the .gitignore list are cached but not restored.

Example

In the following example dependencies are created but not stored.

name: Cache Example

on:
  workflow_dispatch:

jobs:
  build-cache:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - uses: actions/setup-node@v4
      
      - name: Create Test File
        run: echo "generated" > hello.txt
      
      - name: Cache Dependencies
        uses: actions/cache/save@v4
        with:
          path: |
            .
            hello.txt
          key: ${{ runner.os }}-project-${{ hashFiles('package-lock.json') }}
      
      - name: List Cache Contents
        run: |
          echo "--- Root Directory ---"
          ls -la
          echo "--- Content of hello.txt ---"
          cat hello.txt

  restore-cache:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - name: Restore Cache
        uses: actions/cache/restore@v4
        with:
          path: |
            .
            hello.txt
          key: ${{ runner.os }}-project-${{ hashFiles('package-lock.json') }}
      
      - name: List Restored Cache Contents
        run: |
          echo "--- Root Directory ---"
          ls -la
          echo "--- Content of hello.txt ---"
          cat hello.txt # files does not exist

Demo

I created a demo workflow to visulise the behaviour.

Is this behaviour expected?
Can this bahaviour changed to cache and restore files on the git ignore list?