Exclude node_modules folders from Spotlight indexing

[as-com]

Do you want to request a feature or report a bug?
Feature

What is the current behavior?
node_modules folders are indexed by Spotlight on macOS

What is the expected behavior?
node_modules folders are (possibly optionally) excluded from indexing

This can be done by putting a .metadata_never_index in node_modules whenever the folder is created.

This may not work (it didn't work for me?)
Another way is to create node_modules.noindex, and symlink node_modules to it. Alternatively, figure out a way to programmatically add to the list of Spotlight exclusions. Looks like I was holding it wrong.

[burkeshartsis]

It seems like this only just became an issue when updating macOS to Mojave 🤷‍♂️

[as-com]

@burkeshartsis I thought node_modules polluting spotlight search results and high CPU usage from indexing always been an issue.

[tcrossland]

See also npm/npm#15346

[jrz]

15346 says the "true" solution is add folder names to the index. This is pure nonsense. It should be possible to add the metadata_never_index, OR to set a file attribute.
It's either this, or having a global repository and better module loading (and only have spotlight index the files once).

[chrisbull]

*** UPDATE *** .metadata_never_index doesn't work on Majave or Catalina

Found this quick script to add .metadat_never_index to your node_modules folders.

find . -type d -name "node_modules" -exec touch "{}/.metadata_never_index" \;

I added it as a bash alias, so I can use apply quickly.

alias fix-spotlight='find . -type d -name "node_modules" -exec touch "{}/.metadata_never_index" \;'

Just thought I'd share here, for anyone else that is looking. :)

[kiddyfurby]

I am sorry but will yarn consider this feature?

[justin808]

For those using @dicksonhk's answer (thanks!) on MacOS, you have to have a dot or other directory after the command "find".

Maybe the same for other linux.

I agree that yarn should automatically add this file, although this is MacOS specific. Maybe some hook is better?

[joaomnb]

My Spotlight seems to ignore these .metadata_never_index files, every node_modules folder is still indexed... I'm running macOS Mojave. Anyone had the same problem?

[rolandleth]

Until this gets added — if it will — another approach would be to add a postinstall script:

"postinstall": "touch ./node_modules/.metadata_never_index"

Also, I didn't manage to make @dicksonhk's script to work (maybe because I'm using fish, dunno), but I did find another handy little script: https://github.com/Willian-Zhang/Ignore-node_modules-in-Spotlight.

[0x80]

@rolandleth I think it makes more sense to use "preinstall", so spotlight doesn't start picking up the files while the install process is ongoing.

But now I tried it is seems that postinstall and preinstall both don't add the file to my node_modules. Even if I delete the folder and run install again 🤔

[rolandleth]

There is no node_modules folder at preinstall, though, if you come from a clean slate.

Be sure to show hidden files when checking if it's there or not: