Revolutionize Your Cloud Storage: Exclude node_modules with Filen
Tags: cloudstorage, e2ee, node, nextjs
Published: 2023-07-13 08:36:17

---
title: Revolutionize Your Cloud Storage: Exclude node_modules with Filen
date: 2023-07-12 15:52:04 UTC
published: true
tags: ['CloudStorage', 'E2EE', 'NodeJs', 'NextJs']
cover_image: https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/vzojlpabl3qwr0ptbdmx.png
canonical_url: https://www.news47ell.com/blog/filen-review-dropbox-alternative-exclude-node-modules-sync
series: Ways to ignore node modules folder during backup
---

If you're a web developer who uses npm packages and backs up projects to Dropbox, chances are you've searched for a way to exclude the node_modules directory from syncing.

In the past, I relied on a custom bash script that used rsync to copy folders to a Dropbox folder while excluding certain files, folders, and everything listed in a .gitignore file. Although this solution worked well, it meant maintaining two copies of the backup.

> Info: Make sure to check out my tutorial on [How to Use rsync to Sync a Node Project to Dropbox and Ignore the node modules Folder](https://www.news47ell.com/blog/sync-node-project-ignore-node-modules-rsync-bash-script)

But now, with the introduction of Filen, things have changed. Filen is an alternative to Dropbox that offers advanced syncing options, including the ability to exclude the node_modules folder from syncing. No more worries about duplicating unnecessary files!

Well, with the introduction of [Filen](https://www.news47ell.com/recommends/filen?ref=news47ell.com), I don't have to worry about this anymore. Filen is a Dropbox alternative that allows you to exclude the `node_modules` folder from syncing and so much more.

## Introducing Filen: A Dropbox Alternative with Advanced Syncing Options

[Filen](https://www.news47ell.com/recommends/filen?ref=news47ell.com) is a zero knowledge end-to-end encrypted cloud storage that has all the features that you love and are used to from [Dropbox](https://www.news47ell.com/recommends/dropbox?ref=news47ell.com), as well as an easy-to-use interface, encryption for all your data in a German high-security data center, the ability to share files and pictures using a private link or with other Filen users, syncing your data across multiple devices, ability to backup your camera folder from your phone automatically and selective sync option as well.

All of this is cool but one `node_modules` folder can ruin all of this for a web developer.

For those of you who don't know, a `node_modules` folder contains all the necessary files to run a Node.js project. Like this website that uses Next.js. The problem with it is that it can be large and time-consuming to sync due to its size and frequent updates.

For example, the `node_modules` folder for this website is '632.9 MB' and it contains '48,363' files. That takes forever to sync and any update, removal, or installation of a new module means syncing again and again.

With [Filen](https://www.news47ell.com/recommends/filen?ref=news47ell.com), you don't have to worry about any of this. See, Filen has a neat feature that allows you to select files and folders to be ignored while syncing. Like a `.gitignore` file. They call it actually `.filenignore` file but in reality, it's not a file, it's a section in the app where you list the files and folders and it will do the rest.

Imagine having a Projects folder housing all your web development projects. By instructing Filen to sync the folder and selecting your [preferred sync option](https://filen.io/apps/desktop) (e.g., two-way, local to cloud, cloud to local, local backup, or cloud backup), you can then utilize the `.filenignore` option to exclude the `node_modules` folder from syncing.

Let Filen handle the synchronization while you focus on your development tasks, saving you time and ensuring a seamless experience.

You can sign up to [Filen](https://www.news47ell.com/recommends/filen?ref=news47ell.com) for free and we both get 10 GB of storage space. If you need more, you can upgrade to a paid plan. The paid plans start at 11.99€ annually for 100 GB of storage space or, you can pay 29.99€ for a lifetime plan with 100 GB of storage space. You can check out the [pricing page](https://filen.io/pricing) for more options.

## Conclusion

Say goodbye to the hassle of dealing with large `node_modules` folders during syncing.

Let [Filen](https://www.news47ell.com/recommends/filen?ref=news47ell.com) revolutionize your cloud storage experience by providing a simple yet powerful solution for excluding these folders effortlessly.