Chapter 4 Directory Management and File Scanning
This chapter explains how to tell AIClue which folders to manage, how to view scan progress and rescan directories, and how scan exclusion rules affect directory scanning.
4.1 What Is a Scan Directory
A scan directory is a folder you want AIClue to manage. After you add a directory, AIClue records file information in it and reads text content from common documents for later search and filtering.
AIClue does not move, rename, or modify your source files just because you add a scan directory. It only saves file records on your computer for search and display.
4.2 Add a Directory
Click Directory Management in the left sidebar, then add a directory:
- Click Add Directory
- Choose a folder in the system folder picker
- After confirmation, the directory appears in the directory list
- AIClue automatically starts scanning the newly added directory
For first use, start with 1-2 common directories, such as Documents, Desktop, or a project folder. After you are familiar with the app, add more directories gradually.
When adding an external drive or network location, note that:
- Related files may temporarily fail to open after the external device is disconnected
- Scanning speed for network locations depends on network connection quality
- Removable drives and network paths may be skipped by scan exclusion settings. If you need to scan them, first check the switches in Settings > Scan Exclusions
- On Windows, the system drive root, important system directories, and the AIClue app directory cannot be added as scan directories
- A non-system fixed drive root on Windows can be added, but protected or excluded subdirectories are still skipped during scanning
4.3 View Directory Status
The Directory Management page lists added directories. Each directory usually shows:
| Information | Description |
|---|---|
| Directory path | The directory’s location on your computer |
| File count | Number of files AIClue currently records |
| Processing state | Whether files are currently being scanned or processed |
| Last scan time | The most recent scan time for this directory |
After you add a directory, file counts and search results may not become complete immediately. Wait for background processing to finish, or watch the progress in the bottom status bar.
4.4 Rescan Directories
AIClue automatically scans after a directory is added, and it also watches for changes in added directories while the app is running. Usually, you do not need to scan manually often.
You can manually rescan in these cases:
- You just copied many files into an added directory
- An expected file does not appear in search results
- An external drive has been reconnected and you want to refresh the file list
- You changed scan exclusion rules in Settings and need the new rules to take effect
Common operations include:
| Operation | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Scan All | Recheck all added directories |
| Scan This Directory | Recheck one specific directory only |
| Rebuild Search Data | Reorganize data used for search when search results are clearly abnormal |
Note: Maintenance actions only affect the local records AIClue saves for search. They do not affect your original files.
4.5 Remove a Directory
If you no longer want AIClue to manage a directory, remove it on the Directory Management page.
Removing a directory only deletes file records and search data related to that directory from AIClue. It does not delete source files on your computer. You can add the directory again later if needed.
AIClue shows a confirmation prompt before removal to prevent mistakes.
4.6 Understand Scan Exclusion Rules
Scan exclusion settings tell AIClue which folders or files to skip. They are useful for leaving out temporary files, system folders, and other content you do not want in search results.
Exclusion rules are maintained in Settings > Scan Exclusions. The Directory Management page mainly shows added directories, scan status, and related warnings.
Common exclusion settings include:
| Setting | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Property and location switches | Decide whether to skip hidden folders, hidden files, system files, removable drives, and network paths | Skip network paths or removable drives |
| Folder and location rule | Exclude folders with a specified name, or one selected location and its contents | A temporary folder or a work folder you do not want to search |
| File rule | Exclude files by filename prefix or extension | Temporary files, tmp, log |
| Protected rule | Protect important locations from being scanned by mistake | System directories, app directory |
Some rules are protected by AIClue and cannot be changed. Default rules and custom rules can be adjusted in Settings.
After scan exclusion rules are saved, AIClue updates file records according to the new rules. Stricter rules may make existing results disappear from the file list. After a rule is relaxed or removed, matching files usually need to be rescanned before they appear again.
4.7 Clear and Rebuild Search Data
The Directory Management page also provides maintenance operations, usually used only for troubleshooting:
| Operation | Description |
|---|---|
| Clear Search Data | Delete file data recorded by AIClue, but keep added directories; rescanning is required afterward |
| Rebuild Search Data | Keep directory settings and reorganize the data used for search |
These operations do not delete your source files, but they may take a long time to process files again. In everyday use, you do not need to run them if search and file lists are working normally.
4.8 Supported File Types
AIClue can record most regular files and read text content from common documents and text files. Images, audio, video, and other media files can usually be found by file name, location, and file information, but may not support content search.
For the full support scope, see Appendix Supported File Formats and Data Notes.
4.9 Next Steps
After directories are added, continue with:
- Chapter 5 Search and Filtering: Learn how to find files quickly
- Chapter 6 File Viewing and File Operations: Learn how to preview, open, and locate files
- Chapter 12 Settings and Maintenance: Learn more maintenance entries