How do I exclude a directory, like `node_modules`

Question

The Open File window in Android Studio, Command+Shift+O, will search all directories by default, including the node_modules directory. This forces you to have to go through endless common files, like AndroidManifest.xml, before finding the one in your root directory.

I noticed that in the my_project.iml file there is an excludeFolder tag but any edits I make to the my_project.iml file get overwritten the next time I rebuild the project.

How do I exclude the node_modules directory permanently from coming up in the Open File window?

This is on Android Studio 3.0.

Answer 1

Add excludeDirs in your build.gradle file.

As per Nilzor's solution, the right way to do this is by adding the following to your root build.gradle file:

apply plugin: 'idea'

idea.module {
    excludeDirs += file('node_modules/')
}

Now, rebuild your project and check your my_project.iml file. You'll see the new excludeFolder entry:

<content url="file://$MODULE_DIR$">
  <excludeFolder url="file://$MODULE_DIR$/.gradle" />
  <excludeFolder url="file://$MODULE_DIR$/node_modules" />
</content>