diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a6ef824
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+/bazel-*
diff --git a/config.go b/config.go
index 6ef2351..8cb8ca2 100644
--- a/config.go
+++ b/config.go
@@ -274,12 +274,20 @@ func (c *Config) Get(alias, key string) (string, error) {
 }
 
 // String returns a string representation of the Config file.
-func (c *Config) String() string {
+func (c Config) String() string {
+	return marshal(c).String()
+}
+
+func (c Config) MarshalText() ([]byte, error) {
+	return marshal(c).Bytes(), nil
+}
+
+func marshal(c Config) *bytes.Buffer {
 	var buf bytes.Buffer
 	for i := range c.Hosts {
 		buf.WriteString(c.Hosts[i].String())
 	}
-	return buf.String()
+	return &buf
 }
 
 // Pattern is a pattern in a Host declaration. Patterns are read-only values;