# Prevent Apache from returning a 404 error for a rewrite if a directory
# with the same name does not exist.
    Options -MultiViews

# Custom error message
    ErrorDocument 404 /404.html

# Set your root directory
    RewriteBase /

# Remove the .html extension
    RewriteCond %{THE_REQUEST} ^GET\ (.*)\.html\ HTTP
    RewriteRule (.*)\.html$ $1 [R=301]

# Remove index and reference the directory
    RewriteRule (.*)/index$ $1/ [R=301]

# Remove trailing slash if not a directory
    RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
    RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} /$
    RewriteRule (.*)/ $1 [R=301]

# Forward request to html file, **but don't redirect (bot friendly)**
    RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME}.html -f
    RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} !/$
    RewriteRule (.*) $1\.html [L]