diff --git a/mercurial/commands.py b/mercurial/commands.py
--- a/mercurial/commands.py
+++ b/mercurial/commands.py
@@ -193,7 +193,8 @@ def add(ui, repo, *pats, **opts):
     The files will be added to the repository at the next commit. To
     undo an add before that, see :hg:`forget`.
 
-    If no names are given, add all files to the repository.
+    If no names are given, add all files to the repository (except
+    files matching ``.hgignore``).
 
     .. container:: verbose
 
diff --git a/tests/test-help.t b/tests/test-help.t
--- a/tests/test-help.t
+++ b/tests/test-help.t
@@ -347,7 +347,8 @@ Test short command list with verbose opt
       The files will be added to the repository at the next commit. To undo an
       add before that, see "hg forget".
   
-      If no names are given, add all files to the repository.
+      If no names are given, add all files to the repository (except files
+      matching ".hgignore").
   
       Returns 0 if all files are successfully added.
   
@@ -372,7 +373,8 @@ Verbose help for add
       The files will be added to the repository at the next commit. To undo an
       add before that, see "hg forget".
   
-      If no names are given, add all files to the repository.
+      If no names are given, add all files to the repository (except files
+      matching ".hgignore").
   
       Examples:
   
@@ -2202,7 +2204,8 @@ Dish up an empty repo; serve it cold.
   undo an add before that, see "hg forget".
   </p>
   <p>
-  If no names are given, add all files to the repository.
+  If no names are given, add all files to the repository (except
+  files matching &quot;.hgignore&quot;).
   </p>
   <p>
   Examples: