ignore-by-default provides a standardized way to ignore files and directories in Node.js projects, especially useful for tools that process large file trees. It offers a default set of common exclusions (like .git, node_modules) and allows customization through .ignore files and API options. This ensures consistent behavior across different utilities while retaining flexibility for specific project needs. By using this package, developers can prevent unnecessary processing of irrelevant files, improving efficiency and reducing resource consumption.