How to Make VS Code Search Find Specific Gitignored Files

VS Code search usually hides files listed in your .gitignore. This is good for hiding things like node_modules.

But sometimes you need VS Code search (Ctrl+P or Ctrl+Shift+F) to find a specific file or folder that is in .gitignore.

Here's how to do it without changing your .gitignore file.

The Plan

1. Tell VS Code search to stop using the .gitignore file automatically.
2. Manually list only the files you still want hidden inside VS Code's settings.

This means any file not listed in the settings will show up in search, even if it's in .gitignore.

How to Do It

Use Workspace Settings. This keeps the changes only for your current project.

1. Open the Command Palette: Ctrl+Shift+P (or Cmd+Shift+P on Mac).
2. Search for and select Preferences: Open Workspace Settings (JSON).
3. This opens (or creates) a .vscode/settings.json file for your project.
4. Add or modify the settings like this:

{
  // 1. Stop VS Code search from using .gitignore
  "search.useIgnoreFiles": false,

  // 2. List ALL patterns you STILL want hidden from search results (Ctrl+Shift+F)
  "search.exclude": {
    // Default stuff you likely want hidden
    "**/node_modules": true,
    "**/bower_components": true,

    // Add other patterns FROM YOUR .gitignore that you want hidden
    // For example:
    "**/dist": true,
    "**/build": true,
    "**/*.log": true,
    "**/coverage": true,

    // --- IMPORTANT ---
    // DO NOT add the patterns you want VS Code TO FIND here.
    // Example: If you want 'docs/internal/**/*.md' to be searchable,
    // make sure it's NOT listed in this 'search.exclude' section.
    // Because 'search.useIgnoreFiles' is false, these files will now appear.
  },

  // 3. Optional: Control what's hidden in File Explorer and Ctrl+P Quick Open
  // You might want the same files hidden here as in 'search.exclude'.
  // If you want specific files visible in Ctrl+P, DO NOT list them here.
  "files.exclude": {
    "**/node_modules": true,
    "**/bower_components": true,
    "**/dist": true,
    "**/build": true,
    "**/*.log": true,
    "**/coverage": true

    // Again, DO NOT list patterns here that you want to find via Ctrl+P.
  }
}

Explanation

• "search.useIgnoreFiles": false: Makes VS Code search ignore .gitignore.
• "search.exclude": You must list everything you want hidden from Search Results (Ctrl+Shift+F). Copy patterns from .gitignore here (like node_modules). Do not list patterns you want to find.
• "files.exclude" (Optional): Hides files from the File Explorer sidebar and affects Quick Open (Ctrl+P). Usually, keep it similar to search.exclude. Do not list patterns you want to find with Ctrl+P.

Downside

You now manage ignore rules in two places:

1. .gitignore (for Git).
2. .vscode/settings.json (for VS Code search/visibility).

If you update .gitignore, you might need to update search.exclude and files.exclude in VS Code settings too.

This setup gives you precise control over which ignored files show up in VS Code search.