diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 3e8e99b..b59e83d 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -71,8 +71,8 @@ appsettings.Development.json
 # E2EE private keys
 ############################################
 
-keys/
-*.private.key
+keys/*
+!keys/.gitkeep
 
 ############################################
 # Local test databases / data folders
diff --git a/keys/.gitkeep b/keys/.gitkeep
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29